NSW coach Brad Fittler could live to regret his decision to axe veteran five-eighth James Maloney for Origin I, that’s the opinion of former Blues boss Phil ‘Gus’ Gould.
Maloney wore the No.6 jumper for the Blues in last year’s 2-1 series victory over Queensland.
But after a shocking start to the NRL season with the struggling Penrith Panthers, the 32-year-old was dropped for in-form South Sydney pivot and Origin debutant Cody Walker.
"He's a very smart player James Maloney (and) as much as I don't want to take anything away from Cody Walker's selection for NSW, because he has deserved it, NSW will miss the experience of James Maloney on Wednesday night,” Gould said on Channel 9.
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“And I think that will be a key factor with the Blues going forward."
While Maloney paid the price for his poor club form, Panthers team-mate Nathan Cleary avoided the axe and will wear the No.7 for the Blues in Wednesday’s Origin opener at Suncorp Stadium.
Gould, who resigned his powerful post as Penrith’s football boss last month, did not call Cleary out by name but suggested the Blues stuck with the wrong Panthers playmaker for Game 1.
"James just hasn't played well enough at the club level (to warrant Origin selection) but you saw again on Thursday night (in the 15-12 win over Manly) when he controls the play in his own way the difference it makes to the team,” he said.
“It's the difference between a 30-year-old halfback and a 20-year-old halfback."
