To'o will be first picked for the Blues if he's fit. I'd be picking Olakau'atu as the NSW bench edge with Martin/Crichton locks for the starts. With Haas/May/Yeo/Crichton/Martin the starting pack you really need max impact/short minutes from your bench so Ola, Leniu are perfect.
I don't know what Cleary was thinking with Toelau starting. Broncs have a dominant starting front row and it was always going to be a rough opening stint with the middle being softer. It worked out ok as we clung on for that period and then made it count when Haas/Carrigan were off but it could have got ugly. I'd be keen to see Toelau get 20 in the second half this week. With Cleary likely missing a few games coming up, I think we'll want Toelau on the bench in case Schneider/Cole are not cutting it at 7.
If the side was picked on form across the season Olakau'atu would be picked ahead of Martin. I know he had an absolute mare against the Dragons at Brookvale but from the other games I’ve seen he has been huge.
Hell if it were picked on form, Martin doesn’t get picked at all. Hudson Young, Olakau'atu, Crichton and even Koloamatangi should all be picked ahead of him.
Schneider should probably be our 14 when we are at full strength. Toelau at a pinch. Both would be able to compliment Talagi with general kicking if Nathan went down. Although I would be equally fine with Sommerton in 14 with Kenny rotating to the middle if required. Sommerton is pretty crafty and has shown he is dangerous off the back of quick ptbs and also can catch defences napping and find the line. I know some will say Cole deserves the 14 but if he plays in the middle to cover hooker, he is a HIA waiting to happen and I still think his general kicking and ball playing is below Schneider’s.
