“Next Game, Next Controversy: Fittler’s Nonchalant Approach”

Sport NRL State of Origin ‘I’ll just worry about the next game’: Fittler shrugs off debate over his Blues future

By Adrian Proszenko | June 21, 2023 — 11.41pm

The State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons is in full swing, and after a dominant performance by the Maroons in the second match, there are growing concerns about the future of Blues’ coach Brad Fittler. However, Fittler seems unfazed by the mounting pressure and speculation surrounding his coaching tenure, insisting that his sole focus is on avoiding a Maroons-wash in Sydney.

Pressure on Fittler

Following a convincing 32-6 victory by the Maroons in the second match, questions have arisen about Fittler’s use of the interchange bench and his future as the Blues’ coach. With Queensland winning two consecutive series and Billy Slater, Fittler’s counterpart and fellow Nine commentator, enjoying an unblemished coaching record, the pressure on Fittler is mounting.

Despite these concerns, Fittler remains steadfast in his commitment to the team and refuses to engage in discussions about his potential departure. When asked about his future after the latest defeat, Fittler replied, “We have another game to go, so I’ll worry about that and then we’ll see what happens with Troddo [NSW Rugby League CEO David Trodden] and the board and we’ll check it out then. I’ll just worry about the next game. We’ve got a couple of weeks and an opportunity to tidy things up and turn things around, and then we can discuss it.”

Team Selection

One of the contentious issues following the second match was Fittler’s decision to replace the injured Tom Trbojevic with Damien Cook, instead of South Sydney teammate Cameron Murray. This decision will be closely examined in the aftermath of the defeat. However, Fittler refuses to engage in discussions about his selection choices, stating, “I’m not gonna talk about interchanges. I’m not going to talk about who we chose. Cookie did a pretty good job at centre. He beat Val Holmes a couple of times. It’s impossible to cover every position when we don’t have those players.”

As the Blues head into the final match of the series, Fittler will have to make tough decisions regarding team selection. Whether he sticks with the same team that has failed to secure a victory in the first two matches or introduces fresh blood remains to be seen. Fittler remains non-committal, saying, “No idea. We’ll see who is fit and healthy. The one good thing about tonight is we went in healthy, which isn’t always the case at this time of year. We’ll see who is fit and healthy in a couple of weeks. We’ll pick a team and away we go.”

Analysis and Commentary

Despite the defeat and the mounting criticism, Fittler acknowledged that Queensland had a strong defensive game and praised Cook for his performance at centre. He also emphasized the impact of Trbojevic’s absence, stating, “He’s a good player, he’s someone we look at to get us points. We spoke to Cookie about how that could happen, that he would have to play centre if we had someone go down. I thought he did a great job, Cookie. We had to change a bit of what we were trying to do out there, but at the end of the day, their defence was very good. Very, very rarely did we look like we were going to break them or score tries.”

While Fittler’s nonchalant approach to the debate over his future may seem dismissive to some, it could also be seen as a stoic response to the pressures of coaching at the highest level. The State of Origin series is renowned for its intensity and the expectations placed on the coaches are immense. Fittler’s ability to remain focused on the task at hand, despite the external noise, could be seen as a testament to his resilience and dedication to the team.

Looking ahead to the final match of the series, it will be crucial for Fittler and the Blues to regroup and address their shortcomings. Whether Fittler’s future as the Blues’ coach hangs in the balance or not, the final match provides an opportunity for redemption and a chance to salvage pride for New South Wales. Fittler’s leadership and decision-making will be under scrutiny, and his ability to motivate the team and make strategic choices will be vital.

As the series reaches its climax, the State of Origin showcases the fierce rivalry and passion that defines rugby league in Australia. The pressure on Fittler and the Blues may be immense, but it is in these high-stakes moments that champions are made. Regardless of the outcome, the State of Origin series will continue to captivate fans and ignite debates about the future of the sport.