A week ago, Tom Trbojevic showcased an impressive performance against the Cowboys, leading league great Andrew Johns to advocate for his selection as New South Wales’ fullback for the upcoming State of Origin series. However, doubts were raised by former Blues player Paul Gallen regarding Trbojevic’s ability to perform under pressure.
In a recent match against the Warriors, Trbojevic scored an early try but became noticeably less impactful in the second half as the Sea Eagles fell to the Warriors 36-16. During this game, he committed four handling errors which reflected a troubling decline in his performance. Gallen commented on Trbojevic’s resilience, suggesting that when faced with challenges or if he isn’t at his best, his body language suffers, which was evident during the match.
This criticism comes shortly after Johns reiterated his belief in Trbojevic’s potential for the Origin team, while former NSW coach Phil Gould expressed disappointment that the injury-prone player has only participated in 10 Origin games without having played at fullback.
Following a solid victory against North Queensland in the opening round, Manly’s gameplay faltered dramatically against the Warriors, who celebrated a crucial home win. Gallen noted the unpredictable nature of the competition, remarking how quickly top teams like Penrith and Melbourne seemed to slip back, alongside Manly. He acknowledged that without key players like Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans, the Sea Eagles would struggle significantly, as they provide essential direction and creativity to the team.
Fortunately for Manly, it seems both Trbojevic and Cherry-Evans sustained only minor injuries during the game, setting their sights on the upcoming round against Canberra. The initial excitement about their championship prospects now faces greater scrutiny, especially with the importance of their star players’ consistency and resilience being brought into question.