Moore miffed by Bulldogs Origin snub
Kevin Moore expressed surprise on Tuesday at the shock NSW snubbing of his Bulldogs, with only hooker Michael Ennis gaining selection for the opening State of Origin fixture.
While the Bulldogs coach is pleased to have a near full-strength squad for Friday night's NRL clash with Canberra, he admits he feels for Blues hopefuls Jamal Idris, Aiden Tolman and Josh Morris.
Of the star trio, Idris caused the most shock, with the giant 20-year-old ignored despite making an impressive international debut for Australia earlier this month.
Idris on Tuesday received a belated call-up as 18th man to cover centre and back row for the Blues.
Moore was equally confused about the omission of prop Tolman, who averages an astonishing 150 metres per game in 2011, and specialist left centre Morris.
"I thought there was probably two or three of our blokes (who were) probably a touch unlucky," Moore told reporters.
"Along with Jamal, I think you could probably throw Josh Morris into that category being a specialist left centre and then for Jamal being in the Australian side and then missing out on the NSW side is probably a bit hard for some people to understand.
"But (NSW coach Ricky Stuart has) come out and he's given his reasons so I've got no issue with that.
"My role now for them blokes as individuals is to get out there and continue playing well for the Bulldogs and if their form is really good for the Bulldogs over the next couple of weeks they might get a sniff in the second or third games."
Tolman, who averages nearly 20 metres more than the next best prop Luke Bailey, said he had no problem with not receiving a phone call from Stuart to explain why he had been left out.
"He doesn't need to call me and tell me I'm not in the side," he said.
And despite being arguably the competition's form front-rower, Tolman said he was more surprised with Idris missing out.
"It was a big surprise (that Jamal missed out)," Tolman said.
"(Personally), I'm a little bit disappointed, but at the same time every guy in that side deserves his spot there.
"I don't think you expect to get picked in Origin and certainly I didn't expect to be there, but I am a bit disappointed.
"But the selectors are there to do their job and that's what they've done and they've picked a side that hopefully can beat Queensland.
"I thought I was in contention (but) there's a lot of other players there too that were in contention and didn't get picked as well.
"I'm guessing there's a few guys that are disappointed in their teams this week."
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