Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler said he had no issue picking “unsung hero” Jordan McLean to make his State of Origin debut at age 30 after revealing the North Queensland prop has been on his radar for the past nine years.
McLean was the only change Fittler made to the team which convincingly won Game Two in Perth to level the series and set up a thrilling decider at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday 13 July. The NSW coach needed another option after Payne Haas was ruled out through injury.
“A long time ago I remember talking to a few players in a room and he was one of those young 21, 22-year-old players who was about to make his debut and he never quite got there.
“Watching what he’s done this year he’s been outstanding. I was close to picking him in the team earlier and obviously he came into the squad for Game Two.
“What he’s been doing for the Cowboys; he’s a bit of an unsung hero.”
McLean was part of Melbourne Storm’s premiership-winning team in 2017 before switching to the Cowboys in 2018. He represented the Australian Kangaroos at the 2017 World Cup but suffered a Lisfranc injury (foot) which sidelined him for four months the following season.
He returned at the back end of the season and his strong form led him to be selected again for the Kangaroos. Although the Cowboys struggled last year, McLean played every game for the club and finished 2021 with a tackle efficiency of almost 98 per cent.
He has been equally strong for the Cowboys this season, who currently sit in third position on the NRL ladder, after running for an average of 116 metres per match and having a tackle efficiency rate of almost 97 per cent.
“It sends a lot of different messages to a lot of different players that if you get to 30 it’s never too late and also if you’re a young person that playing in a successful team is the best way to go forward,” Fittler said.
“Without a doubt I think his form over the past couple of years hasn’t been that great along with North Queensland; they were finishing at the bottom end of the ladder.
“Their whole club has been unbelievable this year; not only winning games but the way they’re doing it, and the spirit they’re showing, and he’s been a big part of that.
“There’s a message there for just about everyone.”
Fittler said it was time to give Haas, 22, a break after a difficult season with injury. The Brisbane Broncos prop has been battling shoulder problems this season as well as finishing Game Two with an ankle injury.
“He’s been part of our group now for the past five years and he’s been carrying a few injuries for a while now,” Fittler said.
“He hurt his ankle in the last game and he’s been carrying some shoulder injuries so he needs a rest.
“He’s battled with Brisbane and Origin and has done a pretty remarkable job over the past couple of months for a young fella. It’s good to see him get some time off and he’s had such a good year and I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes for the back end of the year.”
