Blues bank on Barrett
by Chris Cox
Monday June 28, 2004

St George-Illawarra star Trent Barrett will be the third halfback used by New South Wales in the State of Origin series decider at Telstra Stadium on July 7. Barrett is one of six changes made to the side which was beaten 22-18 at Suncorp Stadium two weeks ago.

Brad Fittler retains his position at five-eighth, while Barrett's Dragons teammates Matt Cooper, Mark Gasnier, Shaun Timmins and Jason Ryles have all been added to the side.

Brisbane's Michael De Vere has again been omitted despite New South Wales naming an entirely new centre pairing.

Newcastle pair Timana Tahu and Matt Gidley, both so dangerous at Suncorp Stadium, have been left out with both under injury clouds.  Luke Lewis has shifted from centre to the wing to cover for Tahu, while Gasnier and Cooper take up the vacated centre positions.

Timmins returns from injury to lock the scrum, with Craig Fitzgibbon moving to the back row at the expense of Andrew Ryan who has been dropped.

Jason Ryles is the third starting prop to partner Mark O'Meley, with Cronulla's Jason Stevens left out.

Penrith's Test forward, Trent Waterhouse, has also been dropped to make way for Newcastle's Manly-bound lock forward Ben Kennedy who made a successful return to football yesterday.

Halfback Brett Finch, who made his debut in game two, has been named 18th man. First game halfback Craig Gower is still unavailable due to a knee injury, with Barrett becoming the third halfback in as many games.

The Queensland side will be named later this afternoon.

The team is: Anthony Minichiello, Luke Rooney, Matt Cooper, Mark Gasnier, Luke Lewis, Brad Fittler, Trent Barrett, Jason Ryles, Danny Buderus (c), Mark O'Meley, Nathan Hindmarsh, Craig Fitzgibbon, Shaun Timmins.

Interchange: Willie Mason, Ben Kennedy, Brent Kite, Craig Wing.

18th man: Brett Finch.

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