With the unfortunate injury to Mitch Barnett, which, low-key, broke my heart because he’s one of my favourite players, NSW is now looking for a middle forward to fill the void. Koloamatangi is a no-brainer selection for Laurie Daley.
Koloamatangi’s last month of footy has been incredible since shifting to prop. He’s playing huge minutes, looks fitter than he ever has, and is primed to return to the Origin arena.
He’s averaging 77 minutes per game, including 80 minutes in two consecutive matches. He’s racking up 237 running metres per game, has had 12 tackle busts in this period, and grabbed a meat pie on the weekend, running a damaging line from a short ball. More importantly, he averages 42 tackles per game with a tackle efficiency of just under 96%. Throw in his ability to play on the edge, which he’s done very well for years, and he becomes an even more valuable asset in case of injuries. He simply has to be picked.
There appear to be five options Laurie Daley can choose from: Koloamatangi, Terrell May, Jake Trbojevic, Stefano Utoikamanu, and Jacob Saifiti – pending his fitness, of course. Koloamatangi and May are, in my opinion, clearly ahead of the other three. But for whatever reason, May doesn’t seem to be on the radar right now. The entire state hopes Daley makes the right call, and it has to be Keaon Koloamatangi. It has to be!
