Snatched from the New South Wales State of Origin squad, perhaps the most marketable player in the NRL and the barrel of laughter.
But the dumping of longtime blues winger Josh Ado-Car has blinded Brad Fitler to push the rugby league world.
“Okay I’m surprised people will be surprised,” Fitler told 9News.
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Fitler dropped a selection bomb when he dropped Ado-Carr from his squad for a game and replaced the Bulldogs recruit with Daniel Tupau, recalling the rosters veterans for their first origin match since the Blues’ failed 2020 decision.
Addo-Carr has appeared in every Origin match since the 2018 opener and has made 10 trials from 12 games in a glittering career in the sky blue.
But Tupau and Panthers pocket rocket Brian Toe will also line up in the wings when the Blues clash with the Maroons at the Sydney Stadium in Australia on June 8.
Tupau played in all three games of the 2014 series, made an appearance in 2015 and, after a long absence abroad, is well suited for the Blues’ full 2020 campaign.
The 30-year-old has regained this great place this season in eight long trips from 11 NRL games, as well as in a long stretched hot form with a strong connection to Fitler.
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“He’s been the best winger for years,” Fitler said.
“She is always on my radar.
“I’ve coached the City team and the State of Origin (Tupu) before, and I’ve always liked him as part of my team.”
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It is possible that one of the reasons for Ado-Carr’s omission was the terrible form of Canterbury, which joined the 26-year-old Melbourne five years later in the off-season.
Addo-Carr has made a strong personal start to his time in Belmore, scoring six out of 11 games for a side with a very low point score.
But the Bulldogs have won just two of 12 games and are down the ladder.
Interim Canterbury coaches were stunned when Mick Potter was told to drop the expected source of the ad-car after the Bulldogs lost to the Dragons on Sunday.
“Yeah, (it’ll surprise me). He’s a responsible, and very good original player,” Potter said.
“I would be surprised if he wasn’t on the team, and it would be frustrating for Josh.
“I hope that’s not the case.”
Bulldogs Captain Josh Jackson, himself a former Blues representative, was shocked.
“He brings a lot to a footy team. He’s been very good at the Origin team over the years. He’s done some great performances (for NSW), so it’s going to be frustrating for him,” Jackson said.
“It simply came to our notice then. He was very contagious.
“So I imagine Brad Fitler would want to be at his Origin camp throughout the week.”
The Bulldogs captain is probably the right one, but not everyone can be picked – and on this occasion Fitler’s ‘The Fox’ was dropped.
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