Nawaqanitawase named in Blues squad

Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has made the Blues squad for the State of Origin II match.

Head coach Lurie Daley made the change after several injuries inlcuding centre Stephen Crichton who was sidelined as he nurses a shoulder injury.

Nawaqanitawase was named as 19th man and Penrith’s Casey McLean moved to starting centre.

Daley told Sydney Morning Herald that picking the former Wallaby was a no-brainer, following his performance for the Kangaroos last year and hat trick for the Roosters against the Raiders on Friday night.

“I relayed the message, and he was very excited, so they’re always good phone calls to have,” Daley said.

“Mark played for Australia last year, and has got a good rapport with the guys, and I know how much he wants to play for NSW. So, yeah, it was an easy decision for us.”

Daley put the call into Nawaqanitawase late on Monday night who said the news of his Origin inclusion was a surprise.

“I was quite shocked, actually. The squad had been announced everything, so it wasn’t until close to 8pm that I got the call from him,” Nawaqanitawase told Sydney Morning Herald.

The State of Origin Game II takes place on next Wednesday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne.