NSW legend Andrew Johns has defended the shock selection of Bradman Best, hitting back at the "pile-on" regarding the Newcastle young gun's inclusion for Game III.
The 21-year-old was a surprise call-up for the Blues heading into the final game of the Origin series, with the likes of Kotoni Staggs, Izack Tago and Matt Burton also in the mix to fill in the vacant centre position.
With superstar duo Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell both sidelined due to injury, Best will come into the backline and partner Penrith's Stephen Crichton in the centres for his representative debut.
Best has crossed for eight tries in 16 games this year, as well as producing 10 try assists, 40 tackle breaks and averaging 142 run metres per game for the 14th-placed Knights.
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Andrew Johns defends Bradman Best NSW selection
Speaking on the latest edition of Freddy And The Eighth, the rugby league Immortal hit back at claims that Best's selection came from left-field and echoed the sentiments of NSW advisor Greg Alexander by labelling the coverage as "disrespectful".
“[It has been criticised] by people who haven’t been within the inner circle... he’s been on the radar for ages," Johns said.
"He was spoken about even last year about coming in as a development player to get used to the squad and the build-up. He was spoken about in Game I… I just find it hilarious, the pile-on on poor Bradman.
"It’s the biggest moment of his life for him and his family, and people are questioning why he’s in there.
“I think he will go well – I think it’s really disrespectful, the pile-on which has been going at Bradman. There was a lot of conversation around Bradman when Latrell [Mitchell] went down with that calf injury.
"For people to come out and bag Bradman and say it’s left-field and come from nowhere, is absolutely disrespectful… I find it really insulting.
“I wonder if NSW go on and win on Wednesday night, will the people with egg on their face realise that they made a mistake questioning his decisions."
NSW coach Brad Fittler is under immense pressure heading into Wednesday night's clash at Accor Stadium, with his tenure in charge of the side potentially coming to an end after two-straight series losses.
Cody Walker and Keaon Koloamatangi are among the other fresh faces in the lineup, but it's Best who has the assistant coach most excited.
"He will be ready to go, he is playing on the left side with Cody," Johns said.
“He’s still young, he’s only 21, he is still finding himself in the world. From a footy point of view, he’s still a baby – but to play Origin at that level, it’s extraordinary. Not many players that young get there and get the opportunity.
"I spoke to Adam O’Brien about it – he said that he’s best when he’s angry. We might need to get a cattle prod in the sheds, or get some of those comments made about him and put it on repeat and let him listen to it, fire him right up."
Bradman Best 2023 NRL stats
| Games | 16 |
| Tries | 8 |
| Try Assists | 10 |
| Linebreaks | 6 |
| Tackle Breaks | 40 |
| Avg. Run Metres | 142m |
| Avg. Tackles | 13 |
| Tackle Efficiency | 89% |
Bradman Best age
Knights centre Bradman Best is 21 years old.
