A Rivalry for the NSW Blues No. 9 Jersey
This weekend’s match-up between the Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters could turn into a showdown between two players vying for the NSW Blues State of Origin No. 9 jumper. Hooker Reece Robson has spoken to the media about the competition between himself and Blayke Brailey for the spot in the Blues team for the upcoming Origin series, a match-up that he admits holds significant weight for selectors.
“This has been a good experience, the first part of this year to try and get my best foot forward ahead of Origin,” he said.
“Blake’s a great player and I’ve got a good chance to play him this weekend. But yeah, it just comes down to the footy at the moment and who’s playing the best footy coming into that time of year.”
When looking at it that way, he added, “I guess it probably is something they [selectors] might look at. But again, there’s a lot of games between the start of the season and Origin time.”
“It’s more the consistent form that would come to fruition in those times of years when they’re picking those teams. A game like this definitely would have an indication towards it. It’s more the consistency and [continuing] to play at a higher level week in, week out.”
Robson and Brailey have been battling each other since their younger years, so their rivalry isn’t new. After a thumb injury took Robson off the field for the start of the season, Brailey emerged hot on his heels as a contender for the Blues jumper.
But as Robson returned to play earlier than expected in the Roosters’ round three match-up against Penrith, he’s now had to show his prowess to keep his grip on the No.9 jumper.
He deflected from giving any news away on State of Origin selection, rather pinning the limelight on his progress with the Roosters and this weekend’s action.
“From a young age, we [Brailey and himself] played a lot of footy with and against each other. It’s always good to have those sort of rivalries in football,” Robson added.
“When it gets into something like the NRL, you’re just trying to play your best football for your team. Hopefully you’re there at the end of the year and playing in those grand finals and things like that. That’s all my focus is on now with the Roosters and trying to play my best football here for the club. At the moment, the forefront of my mind is just playing the best footy I can to help us get a win on Saturday.”
While Robson holds the incumbent Blues jersey, Brailey has been gaining ground in other areas of the game. The 27-year-old Sharks hooker was invited to Laurie Daley’s NSW planning camp in January and recently earned his call-up to the Australian Kangaroos squad for the Ashes Tour.
Though Brailey didn’t take the field for the national side, the experience of training with the league’s best has sharpened his game, a fact Robson admitted was tough to swallow.
“Yeah, disappointed. Obviously, we always want to be around those teams,” Robson admitted.
“That happens in rugby league sometimes and just the way we didn’t play any finals and that up there. To come down here and be able to have a fresh start and try and play some really good footy is what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to do what’s best for the team here at the Roosters and those sort of accolades come along with it.”
The Roosters and Sharks play in Perth on Saturday.
