Manly coach Anthony Seibold says his superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic is fully fit and denied any lingering injuries would have hampered him in the State of Origin arena.
Seibold carefully hid his surprise at Trbojevic’s NSW Blues snub when fronting media cameras at his Narrabeen headquarters on Thursday.
Trbojevic was left off the team sheet unveiled by State of Origin coach Laurie Daley on Sunday night.
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Dylan Edwards beat Trbojevic and James Tedesco to the fullback spot, while all of Zac Lomax, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, and Latrell Mitchell edged the Sea Eagles star out of the outside backs.
Lomax and To’o only just returned from weeks in the injury ward, but it was Trbojevic’s fitness that Daley had doubts over.
Tom Trbojevic is assisted off the field after suffering a peck injury in the opening minutes of Origin II. Chris Hyde via Getty Images
“Everyone agrees Tom, if he’s fit, is one of the best players in the game, so that was a tough decision… Tom needs to go back and play some good football and be confident,” Daley told media on Monday.
Trbojevic has been named captain for Manly’s clash against Parramatta on Friday night, and Seibold says there is no ailment holding his skipper back.
“Obviously Turbo had the MCL injury earlier in the year, and then his first game back against Penrith a couple of weeks ago he had a really bad cork to his quad,” he said.
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“That hampered him over our bye week, and against the Sharks. I felt like he moved a lot better on the weekend against the Cowboys, particularly in defence, some of the stuff he did was outstanding.
“He’s looking fantastic at training this week as well… we expect Turbo to be at his best on Friday.”
Seibold was asked several questions about Trbojevic being snubbed by Daley, and did his best to answer them diplomatically.
“Everyone knows Turbo is one of the elite players in the game, and every time he’s represented his state or his country he’s been a fantastic performer,” Seibold said.
“It’s not for me to weigh into selection, but from our perspective it’s great to have Turbo as our skipper on Friday night.
“I don’t think the Origin door is ever shut for Turbo. He belongs in that arena, I think everyone knows that.
“If there’s an opportunity that presents I know Turbo will take that with both hands.”
Manly has lost captain Daly Cherry-Evans to the Maroons team, but the Sea Eagles will have no Blues representatives at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday.
Tom Trbojevic in game two of the 2021 State of Origin series. Getty
Rampaging backrower Haumole Olakau’atu failed to get selected in Daley’s starting side, but is in the extended squad for NSW.
Trbojevic’s older brother Jake was knocked out in round 11, although would have almost certainly been dropped by Daley anyway.
Seibold conceded it was a tough time for his veteran middle forward.
“It’s tough for him. I wanted to leave him alone for a couple of days, and we gave him a couple of days away from the club,” Seibold said of Jake.
“I shot him a text message yesterday to see how he’s going… he’s a big loss to us and he’s a big loss to the Blues as well.”
The Sea Eagles sit sixth on the NRL ladder despite winning just five of their 10 games to date.
