Blues fans go wild over Cody Walker’s incredible display for NSW, criticizing Brad Fittler for not picking him sooner: ‘I’ve done more in 20 minutes than Luai has in six games’
NSW fans praised Cody Walker’s impact in the State of Origin final and questioned why Brad Fittler chose Jarome Luai over him for the first two games.
Walker was a surprise call-up to the Blues’ setup for their first New South Wales game since 2020 for Wednesday’s dead game at Accor Stadium.
Fittler turned to Walker to bolster an attack that has struggled to match Queensland in the first two games and the Rabbitohs star immediately brought on the dying Blues attack.
Walker almost created a try on the first play of the game, with Bradman Best landing it only for referee Ashley Klein to rule the Newcastle man offside.
The Blues’ number 6 stepped in on the Blues’ first tries as Brian To’o, Josh Addo-Carr and Best crossed.
Cody Walker was terrific in his first match for New South Wales since 2020
Follow MailSport on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@mailsport
“Cody Walker on that left edge is tearing up Queensland’s right edge,” said Paul Gallen in a commentary on Channel Nine.
‘There is no communication at this time between Valentine Holmes and Daly Cherry-Evans.
‘They usually work so well together. Valentine Holmes is caught in two minds.
Walker replaced Jarome Luai in the squad after the Penrith superstar disappointed in Game I and Game II losses.
And several Blues fans questioned why Fittler hadn’t brought Walker to the team sooner.
“Cody Walker has done more for the Blues in 20 minutes than Jarome Luai has in 20 minutes,” one fan tweeted.
Another added: ‘For the first time in years NSW are set to play a full 3/4 width attack and not everything from the middle. It makes a huge difference in what you can do and open up, especially with Cody Walker.
A third said: ‘How much better does New South Wales look with Cody Walker running the show? Suddenly, the Blues are able to attack and open up again.
NSW fans noted that Walker had done more in 20 minutes than Jarome Luai had in two games
Another fan felt vindicated after suggesting that Walker should have played Game II.
Viewers said the Blues looked incredibly smoother with Walker on the side.
Walker’s impact reinvigorated a moribund attack in New South Wales
“And unsurprisingly, the Foxx does well when playing on his natural side. Common sense finally prevails for Freddy in his game of swan song.’
Before the end of the series, Fittler said that he felt Walker could provide the Blues with a concentrated ball-in-hand boost.
“There will be pressure in the game at some point, but he handles it well at his club,” Fittler said.
‘This will be different, he has different teammates and he hasn’t had the chance to work as much with them.
“But there’s no one better to do what he does, so I’m looking forward to it.
“He’s not intimidated, he’s not overwhelmed.”
Follow MailSport on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@mailsport
