Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Lachlan Galvin’s inclusion in the Blues training camp was more than just a reward for a good season with the Bulldogs – he was flown in to imitate Queensland halves Cameron Munster and Sam Walker as NSW finetune their preparations for the decider.
Munster and Walker have run wild in the first two Origin matches. The unpredictable style in particular of Munster is key to Queensland’s success. If NSW can contain the Maroons halves in game III on Wednesday night in Brisbane, it may be at least in part due to the work they did in two opposed sessions with Galvin.
Before the narcs, bitter Wests Tigers fans and Galvin critics lose their minds, there is no suggestion here that Galvin is as good as Munster yet. But he is unorthodox and ungainly, and attacks the game at all costs, similarly to Munster.
And, for NSW coach Laurie Daley, Galvin’s always-on-the-ball approach made him the ideal player to mimic Munster at training during the week.
“Lachlan has that raw, play-what-he-sees style, and that has been very helpful in preparation,” Daley said.
“And we all know what Munster is like. He’s been very helpful. I like Lachie’s resilience. He has been through plenty and he is still standing and playing very well. He’s been good around the group.”
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould said: “Lachlan is the sort of player who would be very adept at replicating the style of attack Queensland employ through Munster and Sam Walker. That’s how I’d have used him. I’m just happy Lachlan got to spend time with such high-quality players. It’s a considerable reward for hard work.”
Sydney Roosters utility Hugo Savala, Melbourne’s Tyran Wishart and Gold Coast pair Zane Harrison and Chris Randall also took part in the sessions. All their clubs had byes this weekend.
The Blues have wanted to bring Galvin into their fold for over 12 months. He was due to enter camp last year but the heat around his switch from the Tigers to the Bulldogs was too intense. So it’s a fair indication the young man has extreme talent.
In a brief chat on and off camera, Galvin expressed his delight at being picked.
“My hero for the Blues growing up was Jarryd Hayne and to get a chance to be around so many good players in camp is a huge thing,” he said.
“I want to take what I can out of being around here, and I want to be a sponge and absorb what they tell me and what they do and I want to take it into my own game and back to the Dogs. I hope I can help the team in some small way.”
This columnist copped it in spades from the so-called experts for daring to say Galvin has had an excellent season. His critics can tee off all they like but obviously the best minds in rugby league in this state can see Galvin is a future Blue.
That validated some of the praise Gould has given Galvin. Gould copped a barrage of criticism for saying Galvin was “the best teenage footballer I’ve ever seen” while he was at Wests Tigers. Galvin subsequently joined the Bulldogs after a public fall-out with the Tigers. Gould doesn’t need public praise – it’s worth noting the last young half to be called in to do a role like Galvin was rising superstar Isaiya Katoa.
As Galvin continues his trajectory toward becoming a top-tier footballer, expect him to earn an Origin debut by his mid-20s and, ideally, become a dominant force for the state.
Galvin was stunned by the massive media presence when he arrived at Gold Coast Airport for the Blues camp in nearby Kingscliff. Four TV cameras and six journalists were waiting at the arrival gates just to catch a glimpse of him and Savala.
Galvin didn’t feel comfortable dealing with that situation as he has been fried by News Corp and magazine shows, particularly on Fox Sports.
He handles the media well for a young man and will one day be comfortable facing questions, but right now, as a 20-year-old, his reluctance to be in the spotlight is understandable.
Savala is another rising star whose ascendancy to this level is due to his determination, adaptability and lack of ego.
He also showed maturity at the airport as he knew the heat was on Galvin. Savala stepped up to face the media, taking a carry for the pair of them. That showed leadership, compassion and an awareness of a situation that other players may not be across.
Politis wants Nawaqanitawase back
Mark Nawaqanitawase is arguably the code’s greatest entertainer – and even before his departure to rugby, Roosters supremo Nick Politis has started talks to get him back.
It’s often said the NRL can live with the loss of any player, and it’s hard to argue with that as the star factory constantly pumps out fresh talent. But the NSW winger is a different beast.
It’s why he is going to make millions in rugby and the code is desperate to keep him. He is in the conversation as the most skilful player to have played the NRL.
“Yes, the club wants Mark back,” Politis said. “We’ve told his manager that and we think in June 2028 we can see him at the Roosters again. Hopefully, by then he will be missing playing league.”
Nawaqanitawase has signed a two-year, $3 million deal with the Saitama Wild Knights in Japan. He is contracted to the Roosters until the end of October and is likely to be part of the Wallabies’ end-of-season tour before linking with the Wild Knights.
“I’ve loved every moment in league and the way the Roosters have been with me,” Nawaqanitawase said when asked about a league return. It’s a long way off before I would be thinking about that [a return], but you just don’t know.”
Nawaqanitawase is held in the highest regard in league circles. Senior Blues players pushed for his inclusion in game two against Queensland at the MCG.
He was brilliant on the biggest stage, scoring two tries, and his selection for game III in Brisbane on Wednesday was a no-brainer.
Such is his popularity that his code-switch hasn’t prompted any backlash. His Blues selection was well received at the NRL. But headquarters says its fund to poach players from rival codes won’t be used to lure Nawaqanitawase back.
“It’s not there for players who are bouncing between the two codes. It’s there to bring players over from rugby, NFL … whatever,” NRL boss Peter V’landys said.
While Nawaqanitawase is still a committed league man, he was seen having coffee with soon-to-be reunited Wallabies teammate Tate McDermott at Indigo Double Bay cafe.
Gus takes centre stage at Brookvale
Queensland hooker Harry Grant was practising his passing in the warm-up for the Storm’s clash with Manly at 4 Pines Park last Saturday when he spotted Phil Gould, who was there to watch the Bulldogs Jersey Flegg team.
We had broken the news that morning that Bronson Xerri was joining the Storm next year on a three-season deal.
“Hey Gus,” Grant said. “Can you give us Bronson now?”
Gould laughed: “I’d have to play centre.”
Harry told Gould he’d be capable. But sadly for Grant, the Dogs are holding on to Xerri and think he will still play a role in the lead-up to the finals.
Murray’s mile-high mobility routine
They don’t get more professional than Blues back-rower Cameron Murray. On the short flight to the Gold Coast, he was out of his seat stretching all parts of his body in the aisle – while munching on an apple.
In fairness, he did draw a middle seat between James Tedesco and Nathan Cleary. Not as bad as the middle seat Haumole Olakau’atu drew between Payne Haas and Addin Fonua-Blake.
Mitch makes a bird of side hustle
Penrith hooker Mitch Kenny is in demand for another bird-watching event after his debut at Centennial Park was a smash hit. He did it for Columbia Sportswear, whose spokesperson Estelle Du Preez said the company received tremendous feedback over Kenny’s “appreciation for bird-watching and nature”.
“Our first bird-watching event with Mitch was even better than we could have hoped for,” she said. “It was awesome to see so many people come together to spend a morning outdoors, slow down and appreciate the incredible birdlife that’s right on our doorstep.
“What really made the day was Mitch. He was so generous with his time, making sure everyone had the chance to ask questions, learn something new and get a closer look at the birds we spotted along the way. You could really see how passionate he is, and that enthusiasm was infectious.”
Haas sets the record straight
Payne Haas is focused on doing his best for Brisbane this season, but admits he is “excited” at the prospect of linking with Souths in 2027.
The Haas switch has been seized upon by those who want premiership-winning coach Michael Maguire sacked. Haas has somehow remained oblivious to all the hype around his signing, which followed a three-day discussion.
“I haven’t heard that,” he said when asked if his Souths switch had been the catalyst for the Broncos’ horrible season. “I just turn up and try my best each week.”
He doesn’t have an issue with Maguire – as much as people want to say he has one. My question to him was straight up.
Do you dislike Michael Maguire? A lot of people say that’s why you are leaving.
“Of course … I’ve heard that and it’s rubbish. I have a great relationship with Madge. I really like him.”
Were you unhappy in Brisbane?
“To say I don’t like the Broncos is completely false. It was just a good opportunity to have a change for me and my family. To be closer to our Sydney family too.”
I asked him how big a drawcard Sydney’s vibrant Islamic community had been. “Yeah, very big,” Haas replied. “To be bonded by my faith is massive for me. My agent [Ahmad Merhi] is like a second father to me and we have that bond.
“I love the Islamic community, and we will see what happens when I get to Sydney. I love all the brothers in Brisbane but I’m excited to get to Sydney and experience that. Also to be closer to my family and my missus’ family and have that support network is huge.”
Hill destined to thrill in rival code
This column doesn’t talk much about AFL, but the debut of Matt Hill for Hawthorn was noteworthy.
Once a rising star in the Melbourne Storm system, Hill was so impressive he caught the eye of Latrell Mitchell when the Blues had an opposed session against the Melbourne Storm academy in 2024.
Being the good man he is, Latrell spent 20 minutes talking with the youngster. It was a real mentoring style chat. It’s quite the story that he has kicked on in the AFL. He could have done the same in the NRL.
