Many think Reagan Campbell-Gillard’s papers are marked at Origin level after New South Wales refused to pick the Parramatta prop for Game III despite both Payne Haas and Jordan McLean going down injured.
After starting in the Game I loss, Campbell-Gillard was dropped from the squad altogether despite the side taking several hits in the prop positions.
With just two Origin games to his name since making his debut in 2018, many are perplexed as to why he hasn’t been offered more of an opportunity, with some believing that it goes back to his time as a Penrith player.
As the Panthers are comfortably the most represented NRL side in the Blues squad, it’s been reported that there may be bad blood between the prop and his former teammates after he departed the foot of the mountains in 2019.
While no official reason has been given, SEN’s Michelle Bishop believes “something must have happened” between Campbell-Gillard and the Penrith contingent, leading to his omission.
“I think you guys have hit the nail on the head,” Bishop said in response to whether the Penrith players may have an issue with the prop on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I’m still questioning his inclusion this time around, I do think it goes a long way towards an attitude.
“You know what Freddy (Brad Fittler) likes to have around the team, I couldn’t imagine the Penrith players – something must’ve happened – because they’re the nicest humans, very forgiving young people.
“There’s definitely something, we’ve just got to keep digging.
“I actually don’t know about any particular incident, we might have to put it down to him not fitting in.”
Speaking to Channel Nine in 2020, Campbell-Gillard admitted to “not caring” in his final stint with Penrith, with Panthers and Blues star Nathan Cleary telling The Sydney Morning Herald at the time that he and his teammates were “p--sed off” by the comments.
Bishop believes that may be the genesis of the disconnect with Cleary, the Panthers players and Campbell-Gillard.
“If my memory serves me correctly there was an interview done, he probably didn’t think about the consequences of the interview as he moved on and had a fresh start,” Bishops said.
“But it was along the likes of, ‘I just got tired, I didn’t want to play there anymore’, it was about attitude.
“Those comments … maybe it did annoy a couple of the guys.”
With Campbell-Gillard discarded by New South Wales, Jacob Saifiti has been named to make his Origin debut at prop alongside Jake Trbojevic for the decider.
Game III of the State of Origin series is set for Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday July 13.
