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3 hours ago

"Indefensible": NSW's interchange use under fire after second half slaughter

By Sam Kosack

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SEN's Andrew Voss has called out New South Wales' interchange strategy after their second half capitulation in Origin II.

NSW went into half time up 12-8, before conceding 36 second half points to ultimately lose 44-24.

Coach Laurie Daley has come under fire for his selection choices during the week leading up, but it was his use of the bench that has attracted criticism since full time.

Daley used Cameron Murray, Victor Radley, Addin Fonua-Blake and Ethan Strange, leaving Apisai Koroisau and Jack Bostock unused.

Front Office with Vossy Yarn Banner

However, Fonua-Blake came on with 25 minutes remaining, playing only nine minutes, before being replaced by Strange for the final 16 minutes, causing Voss to question the method behind the madness.

"New South Wales, well it just all fell apart," Voss said on SEN 1170 Mornings.

"There are lots of contributing factors, and I know the centre point for a lot of criticism is the use of the interchange bench.

"The bench doesn't save New South Wales last night, let's not kid ourselves. Queensland's performance was that good.

"But some of the decisions are indefensible, and you can't escape from that.

"We call and we watch NRL matches on a weekly basis. I have never seen a bench used in such a manner.

"You get 8 interchanges and three of those are burnt in the last 15 minutes to rotate, prop on, off, and then bring another on with a team trying to win a game or come up with a miraculous comeback.

"Please, what's doing?

"Ethan Strange, into the back row. Within 2 minutes, there is a moment. Harry Grant goes to dummy half, just inside the New South Wales half.

"Cleary's at marker. Harry Grant does just the smallest glance and says, Ethan Strange, A defender, that's not the norm.

"Harry Grant in that moment goes bang, I will go for this... Cleary goes wrong way, there's no connection there... and Grant rushes through and Queensland get a try.

"That's just one moment of use of interchange.

"Strange, outstanding first game, (plays five-eighth), can do a job in the centres, he finds himself playing the middle.

"Api Koroisau. What was the point of Api Koroisau on the bench?

"If you're not using him to have an impact, when you're either in front, or trying to come from a reachable distance from behind, then what was the strategy?

"The strategy pre-game could not have been Reece Robson 80 minutes.

"That's just one element."

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