Rival's ultimate praise for fairytale Origin debutant
It's why Crichton insists Shibasaki will not be underestimated by NSW, who are set to make the call on Brian To'o's troublesome knee after a crucial training session on Monday night.
With Kalyn Ponga injured and the series on the line, Queensland coach Billy Slater raised eyebrows picking journeyman Shibasaki at left centre and pushing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback for Origin III on Wednesday.Prior to a breakout season at Brisbane, Shibasaki had floated across four clubs and played 30 games since his 2018 debut, and even left the NRL for a Japanese rugby stint in 2022.
But the 26-year-old's Origin selection did not shock Canterbury captain Crichton, who lined up against him when Brisbane handed the Bulldogs a 42-18 hiding in April.
Shibasaki crossed for one of the Broncos' seven four-pointers that night and is the NRL's equal-third most-prolific tryscorer heading into round 19.
"He's been the top form centre right now in the year so he deserves his opportunity," Crichton said.
"Although probably some people don't know him, he's there for a reason."
Even so, Crichton concedes it will be a lofty task for Shibasaki to help the Maroons snatch the Origin shield come Wednesday night.
Shibasaki lines up against a star-studded Blues backline that features South Sydney champion Latrell Mitchell in the other centre spot.
Himself a surprise selection for game one, rookie Robert Toia joins Shibasaki in a much less seasoned centre pairing for Queensland.
But Crichton insists there'll be no complacency from NSW.
"I don't take any game lightly. You never know when it's going to be your last time in the jersey," Crichton said.
"It's probably a big ask (for Shibasaki), but he's in the team for a reason.
"He's done a lot of things right, especially in the position of centre, (there's) a lot of decision making out there."
Uncapped winger Jacob Kiraz is on standby to come in for Blues gun To'o, who has been managing a knee injury since Penrith's defeat of Canterbury in round 17.
The Blues have been confident all week that To'o and Payne Haas (back) would overcome their fitness issues to play in the decider.
The pair completed light training on Saturday as planned but Monday night's full contact session will be telling.
"I assume they'll do a bit more today and be good to go Wednesday," said Blues forward Hudson Young.
Stephen Crichton has paid shock Queensland debutant Gehamat Shibasaki the ultimate compliment, claiming his opposite man for the State of Origin decider has been the NRL's best centre this year.
It's why Crichton insists Shibasaki will not be underestimated by NSW, who are set to make the call on Brian To'o's troublesome knee after a crucial training session on Monday night.
With Kalyn Ponga injured and the series on the line, Queensland coach Billy Slater raised eyebrows picking journeyman Shibasaki at left centre and pushing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback for Origin III on Wednesday.Prior to a breakout season at Brisbane, Shibasaki had floated across four clubs and played 30 games since his 2018 debut, and even left the NRL for a Japanese rugby stint in 2022.
But the 26-year-old's Origin selection did not shock Canterbury captain Crichton, who lined up against him when Brisbane handed the Bulldogs a 42-18 hiding in April.
Shibasaki crossed for one of the Broncos' seven four-pointers that night and is the NRL's equal-third most-prolific tryscorer heading into round 19.
"He's been the top form centre right now in the year so he deserves his opportunity," Crichton said.
"Although probably some people don't know him, he's there for a reason."
Even so, Crichton concedes it will be a lofty task for Shibasaki to help the Maroons snatch the Origin shield come Wednesday night.
Shibasaki lines up against a star-studded Blues backline that features South Sydney champion Latrell Mitchell in the other centre spot.
Himself a surprise selection for game one, rookie Robert Toia joins Shibasaki in a much less seasoned centre pairing for Queensland.
But Crichton insists there'll be no complacency from NSW.
"I don't take any game lightly. You never know when it's going to be your last time in the jersey," Crichton said.
"It's probably a big ask (for Shibasaki), but he's in the team for a reason.
"He's done a lot of things right, especially in the position of centre, (there's) a lot of decision making out there."
Uncapped winger Jacob Kiraz is on standby to come in for Blues gun To'o, who has been managing a knee injury since Penrith's defeat of Canterbury in round 17.
The Blues have been confident all week that To'o and Payne Haas (back) would overcome their fitness issues to play in the decider.
The pair completed light training on Saturday as planned but Monday night's full contact session will be telling.
"I assume they'll do a bit more today and be good to go Wednesday," said Blues forward Hudson Young.
Stephen Crichton has paid shock Queensland debutant Gehamat Shibasaki the ultimate compliment, claiming his opposite man for the State of Origin decider has been the NRL's best centre this year.
It's why Crichton insists Shibasaki will not be underestimated by NSW, who are set to make the call on Brian To'o's troublesome knee after a crucial training session on Monday night.
With Kalyn Ponga injured and the series on the line, Queensland coach Billy Slater raised eyebrows picking journeyman Shibasaki at left centre and pushing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback for Origin III on Wednesday.Prior to a breakout season at Brisbane, Shibasaki had floated across four clubs and played 30 games since his 2018 debut, and even left the NRL for a Japanese rugby stint in 2022.
But the 26-year-old's Origin selection did not shock Canterbury captain Crichton, who lined up against him when Brisbane handed the Bulldogs a 42-18 hiding in April.
Shibasaki crossed for one of the Broncos' seven four-pointers that night and is the NRL's equal-third most-prolific tryscorer heading into round 19.
"He's been the top form centre right now in the year so he deserves his opportunity," Crichton said.
"Although probably some people don't know him, he's there for a reason."
Even so, Crichton concedes it will be a lofty task for Shibasaki to help the Maroons snatch the Origin shield come Wednesday night.
Shibasaki lines up against a star-studded Blues backline that features South Sydney champion Latrell Mitchell in the other centre spot.
Himself a surprise selection for game one, rookie Robert Toia joins Shibasaki in a much less seasoned centre pairing for Queensland.
But Crichton insists there'll be no complacency from NSW.
"I don't take any game lightly. You never know when it's going to be your last time in the jersey," Crichton said.
"It's probably a big ask (for Shibasaki), but he's in the team for a reason.
"He's done a lot of things right, especially in the position of centre, (there's) a lot of decision making out there."
Uncapped winger Jacob Kiraz is on standby to come in for Blues gun To'o, who has been managing a knee injury since Penrith's defeat of Canterbury in round 17.
The Blues have been confident all week that To'o and Payne Haas (back) would overcome their fitness issues to play in the decider.
The pair completed light training on Saturday as planned but Monday night's full contact session will be telling.
"I assume they'll do a bit more today and be good to go Wednesday," said Blues forward Hudson Young.
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25,000 run metres and 200 litres of cola: The crazy numbers behind Brian To'o
With all the grace of a bowling ball hurled down an alley using both hands, To'o has now run for the best part of 25,000 metres with ball in hand at NRL level. The overwhelming majority of that has been straight into defenders, defenders who line up with anywhere between a 10-20 centimetre height advantage over the NSW and Penrith flyer. Almost 8000 of those metres have been the toughest of any in the game – post-contact. After absorbing whatever 200-300 kilos of multiple defenders will throw his way, To'o is without peer when it comes to shoving, shunting and shifting his way to his hands and knees for a quick play-the-ball. And rugby league logic falls a tad short explaining exactly how he does it. To'o is quick, but not abnormally so. At 97kg, he hits the average weight of an NRL winger in 2025. The 182cm he is listed as standing on the NRL website is a noticeable jump from the 174cm he was profiled at in 2019. Short of a healthy mid-20s growth spurt, no-one is willing to explain why. Meantime, plenty of players boast power-packed backsides and glute muscles. Granted, To'o's tree stump legs (tree trunks would be a stretch) are less commonly found. 'But it's not like he puts up big numbers in the gym with them,' NSW and Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards says. 'And he doesn't blow you away in fitness drills or during pre-season testing,' skipper Isaah Yeo muses. 'But then there's not many blokes that can have 25 carries a game and do what he does. I feel like a lot of teams are trying to bring in wingers now that have really good yardage carries like Bizza. 'But I just don't know if anyone can do it as consistently as what he does. And the bigger the occasion, Origin or grand finals, he does it better and better, and has been doing it for five or six years now.' To'o offers a shrug, a grin and a 'shout out to all my short kings, my short brothers out there' when asked the well-worn question. How exactly do you not only survive, but thrive, in a modern-day game of giants and controlled violence? 'It's a weird one, but I swear, I used to be really skinny and fast,' he says. 'I didn't really have much strength or leg drive until I was 18 or 19.' So you locked yourself in the gym and tied yourself to the leg press? 'No, I think I was just eating. And even when I got stronger, I didn't kick on with it until I worked out how to use it, either. 'Making contact, changing direction and using my [leg] drive… I used to always have that mindset of just running at the biggest player and then whatever happens, happens. 'Thank God I never ended up in hospital, I'm still here living and I always kind of love that challenge too, that little disadvantage that other players have being taller than me.' Teenage years spent flipping back and forth on the family trampoline – 'best Christmas present ever' – played their part in To'o's spring-loaded diving tries and attempts to match aerial specialists like Queensland's Xavier Coates. Every Origin since To'o's 2021 debut has been preceded by concern the Blues winger will be targeted under the high ball. Coates's game one flight at Suncorp Stadium – which saw To'o controversially sinbinned for tackling him in the air – was one of the few occasions it has actually happened. All up, To'o has run for close to 3000 metres in 14 straight Origin appearances, with 1053 of those coming after contact. Both tallies are the most of any NSW player in that time. His tally of 10 tries is already closing fast on the all-time Blues record of 11 held by Josh Addo-Carr (15 games), Michael O'Connor (19 games) and Jarryd Hayne (23 games). To'o has barely trained leading into Wednesday's decider after suffering a grade 2 lateral ligament tear in his knee against Canterbury almost two weeks ago. Given he was the Blues best player in Origin II having been similarly restricted by a hamstring injury, To'o and NSW players and staff have insisted all week that he will be right to play. To'o's wife has also insisted his hamstring issues this year have been caused by his dancing – flips, splits and all. 'So now I'm pretty much banned until the off-season.' And when it comes to pulling off things he really shouldn't be able to, To'o and his teammates regularly circle back the rugby league intangibles that can't be measured in kilos and centimetres, G-force or post-contact metres. Penrith players can trace To'o's ability to play busted back to famed tales of him walking to training on a broken leg without realising it when he was 17, and hospitalising himself for four days after collapsing during pre-season sandhill runs. 'He's so powerful and he's such a character,' Yeo says. 'I mean, his diet is just awful. But more than most, I think he just wants to perform for his teammates. He doesn't want to let anyone down and he just seems to be able to push through pain.' Loading Luai adds: 'He's the smallest dude with the biggest heart,' Luai says. 'Yeah, he's got the legs but I think the power he has comes from the love for his teammates and his competitiveness. No matter who he's up against, no matter how much bigger a defender or an attacker is than him, he just puts himself in the right position to win.'
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
25,000 run metres and 200 litres of cola: The crazy numbers behind Brian To'o
With all the grace of a bowling ball hurled down an alley using both hands, To'o has now run for the best part of 25,000 metres with ball in hand at NRL level. The overwhelming majority of that has been straight into defenders, defenders who line up with anywhere between a 10-20 centimetre height advantage over the NSW and Penrith flyer. Almost 8000 of those metres have been the toughest of any in the game – post-contact. After absorbing whatever 200-300 kilos of multiple defenders will throw his way, To'o is without peer when it comes to shoving, shunting and shifting his way to his hands and knees for a quick play-the-ball. And rugby league logic falls a tad short explaining exactly how he does it. To'o is quick, but not abnormally so. At 97kg, he hits the average weight of an NRL winger in 2025. The 182cm he is listed as standing on the NRL website is a noticeable jump from the 174cm he was profiled at in 2019. Short of a healthy mid-20s growth spurt, no-one is willing to explain why. Meantime, plenty of players boast power-packed backsides and glute muscles. Granted, To'o's tree stump legs (tree trunks would be a stretch) are less commonly found. 'But it's not like he puts up big numbers in the gym with them,' NSW and Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards says. 'And he doesn't blow you away in fitness drills or during pre-season testing,' skipper Isaah Yeo muses. 'But then there's not many blokes that can have 25 carries a game and do what he does. I feel like a lot of teams are trying to bring in wingers now that have really good yardage carries like Bizza. 'But I just don't know if anyone can do it as consistently as what he does. And the bigger the occasion, Origin or grand finals, he does it better and better, and has been doing it for five or six years now.' To'o offers a shrug, a grin and a 'shout out to all my short kings, my short brothers out there' when asked the well-worn question. How exactly do you not only survive, but thrive, in a modern-day game of giants and controlled violence? 'It's a weird one, but I swear, I used to be really skinny and fast,' he says. 'I didn't really have much strength or leg drive until I was 18 or 19.' So you locked yourself in the gym and tied yourself to the leg press? 'No, I think I was just eating. And even when I got stronger, I didn't kick on with it until I worked out how to use it, either. 'Making contact, changing direction and using my [leg] drive… I used to always have that mindset of just running at the biggest player and then whatever happens, happens. 'Thank God I never ended up in hospital, I'm still here living and I always kind of love that challenge too, that little disadvantage that other players have being taller than me.' Teenage years spent flipping back and forth on the family trampoline – 'best Christmas present ever' – played their part in To'o's spring-loaded diving tries and attempts to match aerial specialists like Queensland's Xavier Coates. Every Origin since To'o's 2021 debut has been preceded by concern the Blues winger will be targeted under the high ball. Coates's game one flight at Suncorp Stadium – which saw To'o controversially sinbinned for tackling him in the air – was one of the few occasions it has actually happened. All up, To'o has run for close to 3000 metres in 14 straight Origin appearances, with 1053 of those coming after contact. Both tallies are the most of any NSW player in that time. His tally of 10 tries is already closing fast on the all-time Blues record of 11 held by Josh Addo-Carr (15 games), Michael O'Connor (19 games) and Jarryd Hayne (23 games). To'o has barely trained leading into Wednesday's decider after suffering a grade 2 lateral ligament tear in his knee against Canterbury almost two weeks ago. Given he was the Blues best player in Origin II having been similarly restricted by a hamstring injury, To'o and NSW players and staff have insisted all week that he will be right to play. To'o's wife has also insisted his hamstring issues this year have been caused by his dancing – flips, splits and all. 'So now I'm pretty much banned until the off-season.' And when it comes to pulling off things he really shouldn't be able to, To'o and his teammates regularly circle back the rugby league intangibles that can't be measured in kilos and centimetres, G-force or post-contact metres. Penrith players can trace To'o's ability to play busted back to famed tales of him walking to training on a broken leg without realising it when he was 17, and hospitalising himself for four days after collapsing during pre-season sandhill runs. 'He's so powerful and he's such a character,' Yeo says. 'I mean, his diet is just awful. But more than most, I think he just wants to perform for his teammates. He doesn't want to let anyone down and he just seems to be able to push through pain.' Loading Luai adds: 'He's the smallest dude with the biggest heart,' Luai says. 'Yeah, he's got the legs but I think the power he has comes from the love for his teammates and his competitiveness. No matter who he's up against, no matter how much bigger a defender or an attacker is than him, he just puts himself in the right position to win.'
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘It speaks volumes': Cameron Smith defends Billy Slater's Origin reign
Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith has dismissed criticism of Maroons captain Billy Slater ahead of the blockbuster State of Origin decider, predicting a historic win for Queensland and saying his former teammate will be coaching the side 'for many years to come'. The Maroons fended off the Blues in Perth in game two, amid commentary that largely wrote off Slater's side as a chance to win the series after a game one steamrolling, to set the scene for a decider on NSW's home turf at Accor Stadium on Wednesday. Smith said the game two win was a testament to Slater's coaching, and dismissed external criticism. 'It just shows how much time and preparation [Slater] puts into his role as head coach, and the time that he puts into his players,' Smith said. Loading 'They were told that NSW's got a far-superior footy side, and that they really had no chance of winning, but to get them into a position to play the way they did, and be in the right frame of mind to have that confidence to go and do that, I think it speaks volumes of his ability as a coach.' Smith said Slater sounded relaxed and prepared for the final challenge when the pair last spoke a few days ago. 'He's doing a fantastic job for Queensland, and he'll be the coach for many years to come,' Smith said.
