Manly have expressed surprise at Anthony Watmough’s omission from the NSW State of Origin team with coach Geoff Toovey denying the NRL club told Blues mentor Ricky Stuart he was unable to train.
Watmough, who’s been a regular in the Kangaroos side and a consistent Origin performer for the last two years was overlooked by Stuart in favour of St George Illawarra back-rower Ben Creagh.
At the team announcement on Sunday, Stuart said he made the decision because the shoulder injury sustained by Watmough in Manly’s win over Brisbane would prevent him from training in the lead-up to next week’s Origin series opener in Melbourne.
However, the 28-year-old worked out with his Manly teammates on Tuesday and Toovey insists he’ll be included in his side to take on the Sydney Roosters in the NRL match at Brookvale on Sunday.
“I’ve had a chat to ‘Choc’ and he’s disappointed and we’re all a bit disappointed for him,” Toovey said.
“I thought he was one of their best players last year, especially in the last game, but we are grateful that he’s here with Manly.”
Watmough appeared to make a point of running past the gathered media pack to join his teammates on the field at the Sea Eagles’ training ground in Narrabeen on Tuesday.
And although Toovey admitted he didn’t expect to see him out on the paddock so soon, he was not surprised, and said no one at the club had ruled him out of Origin.
“I’m not aware of that being the case, but I didn’t think Choc would be training today. But he’s a great athlete and we have great medical staff.
“He’s out there and although it’s restricted training due to the injury, we’re very confident he’ll be playing on Sunday.”
Manly captain Jason King, who played for NSW in Origin I last year, was also bemused at the decision to leave Watmough out of the Blues team.
“He’s been playing some tremendous footy for us,” King said.
“He does plenty of work up the middle and is an 80-minute player and provides plenty of impact.
“But no doubt the selectors have their own ideas and gone for a different approach.”
“But I am certain it won’t be the last you see Choc in a Blues jersey.”
