BROCK Lamb may be set to play a back-up role at the Newcastle Knights but the halfback remains in the mind of NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler
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Lamb and fellow Knights Daniel Safiti and Connor Watson were on Tuesday selected in a 38-man Emerging Blues squad.
The squad, which includes established stars Mitchell Moses, Nathan Cleary, Latrell Mitchell and Angus Crichton, will attend a camp in Sydney on January 13.
Fittler and assistant coach Danny Buderus will be joined by former Blues Andrew Johns, Craig Fitzgibbon, Matt King, Mark O’Meley and Anthony Minichiello in specialist positional coaching roles.
“I’ve brought these players in because they’re players I really respect and I believe they can learn a lot from the camp – both on and off the field,” Fittler said. “The majority of the players are young stars already playing first grade, or on their way to the top grade. These players will be the backbone of the NSW Origin team going forward. We’re hoping they get a lot from the Emerging Blues camp, about expectations, and learning from some of NSW Origin’s best former players, who I have played with and really respect.”
Lamb started in 21 games for the Knights last season and was a finalist for the Dally M rookie of the year.
However, the 20-year-old’s future has been clouded since the Knights won the race to secure Mitchell Pearce's signature. Lamb had been all set to start next season at halfback alongside Roosters recruit Connor Watson but is most likely to start the season on the bench or in NSW Cup.
Emerging Blues: Payne Haas, Tevita Pengai Jr, Michael Lichaa (Brisbane), Nick Cotric (Canberra),
Jayden Brailey, Kyle Flanagan, Jessie Ramien (Cronulla Sharks), Lachlan Croker, Jack Gosiewski, Brian Kelly, Luke Metcalf (Manly), Curtis Scott (Melbourne), Brock Lamb, Daniel Saifiti, Connor Watson (Newcastle), Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Moses Leota (Penrith), Bevan French, Tepai Moeroa, Mitchell Moses, Kyle Schneider (Parramatta), Jake Hazard, Latrell Mitchell, Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Angus Crichton, Tyrell Fuimanu, Campbell Graham, Cam Murray (South Sydney), Matt Dufty, Jai Field, Zac Lomax, Reece Robson, Hame Sele (St George Illawarra), Jacob Liddle, Bayley Sironen, Moses Suli, Alex Twal (Wests Tigers)