A New Era for the Blues
Blues coach Laurie Daley has made a bold decision by selecting Ethan Strange to fill the No.6 jersey in the opening match of the series. While Daley may not openly admit it, Strange’s style of play closely mirrors that of his coach. Both players have a reputation for running through opponents and competing with relentless intensity on every play.
Despite the obvious similarities, Daley remains humble when discussing the comparison. He emphasizes that what makes Strange stand out is his passion for football and his ability to compete at the highest level. “He loves his footy and you’ve just got to compete, and that’s what he does well,” Daley said. He believes players like Strange are ideally suited for Origin matches, where the difference between teams is often minimal, and success comes down to who can push harder and challenge more consistently.
The Rise of Ethan Strange
Strange’s inclusion in the starting lineup is a significant moment in his career. His spot was confirmed just before the series opener, replacing Mitchell Moses, who was ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained during training. The decision to bring Strange into the starting side means he will wear the No.6 jersey that Daley once made famous.
While Strange is flattered by the comparisons to his coach, he is focused on carving out his own legacy. “Obviously he was a great player and we know our history at the Raiders, so I’ve seen a lot of highlights of Laurie,” Strange said. He acknowledges the significance of the role but is determined to make it his own.
Challenges and Opportunities
Strange’s unexpected rise into the starting halves pairing comes at a crucial time for the Blues. Cleary, a four-time premiership winner, has always been a key selection for the team. However, finding a long-term halves partner at Origin level has proven challenging. Moses, who has earned seven NSW caps, has only played alongside Cleary once. His absence is a significant loss, especially on a wet and slippery Accor Stadium, where field position could be decisive.
Daley acknowledged the impact of Moses’ absence but expressed confidence in Strange. “Big loss,” he conceded, “but like Origin, you expect nothing different. There’s always unexpected things that happen … I’m not worried about Ethan, he’ll play well.”
A New Dynamic in the Halves
Strange’s elevation means he becomes Cleary’s sixth halves partner at this level. How they combine at short notice is one of the key storylines for the upcoming match. However, Daley was quick to dismiss suggestions that Cleary would need to carry extra responsibility or prove himself at Origin level.
“Look, I think that’s the storyline around Origin and Nath, but I don’t see it like that,” Daley said. He emphasized that success in Origin depends on the entire team performing together. “We’ve gotta rely on 17 guys to be able to work hard for each other. We all share the wins, we share the losses, we share every moment.”
Building on Past Experiences
Strange and Cleary are not entirely unfamiliar with each other. They developed a bond during last year’s Kangaroos tour of England. Although Strange didn’t get to play, he sought advice from experienced playmakers like Cleary and Mitch Moses. NSW and Australian captain Isaah Yeo noted that Strange was eager to learn from them. “Ethan was a sponge over there, you could just see he was sort of gravitating particularly towards Nathan, Mitch, Cam Munster … obviously over there,” Yeo said.
Yeo believes the pair will adapt well to playing together. “Look, they’ll be fine. We’ve obviously prepared for different things and different scenarios, so Ethan and Nathan had little moments together on the field … Ultimately, we want Ethan to be Ethan. His best attribute is when he’s running, taking the line on, and being hard to handle. I don’t think much changes for him.”
A Promising Future
Before making his NRL debut, Strange was selected for the 2023 under-19s Origin encounter. Playing in the centres, a position Daley also occupied at interstate level, Strange scored a hat-trick and was named man of the match in a memorable Blues win. “Games like that are a blur, I feel like you play your best footy when you’re not really thinking and you’re just out there doing it and having fun,” he said.
Strange hasn’t had time to overthink his sudden rise to a starting senior position. If he performs well, he could give Queensland and the NSW selectors something to consider for future selections.
