Tyrone Peachey ready for anything in Origin II

Author: Chris Kennedy NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp: Thu 21 Jun 2018, 08:01 AM

Blues utility Tyrone Peachey says while he'd love to spend more time on the field in Origin II he's more than happy if the game pans out the same as game one and he isn't required.

Penrith's Mr Fix-it was given just seven minutes by coach Brad Fittler at the end of the Holden State of Origin series opener at right centre when James Roberts was given a rest but has mostly been training at hooker and lock ahead of both Origins so far.

"Last game I was that pumped and happy to be there I didn't really care what role I was playing," Peachey told NRL.com.

"I only got seven minutes so I got a bit of a taste but I didn't get the full experience so I kind of can't wait to get a little bit more hopefully. I'll do whatever I have to do.

"If Freddie puts me on earlier it would be good but if I have to do the same role I'm happy. I'm preparing the same way, still pumped and excited and just can't wait to get out there."

Blues wary of Ponga

Peachey said it would have been tough for Fittler to find a way to get him into the game given hooker Damien Cook was flying through the 80 minutes and there were no injuries.

"It was tough, we were going well so I wasn't really needed, they didn't need me to go on there and spark it up really," Peachey added.

"But the way Queensland are, it's going to be a lot tougher game, they'll have a different game plan and it might be different. Whatever Freddy wants me to do I'll do and just do my best for the team."

Peachey has a bigger workload than his teammates when it comes to video sessions and tactics given he has to be ready to potentially play hooker, five-eighth, lock, edge back-rower or centre.

Peachey has played all of those positions ay club level so he won't be uncomfortable. He made his NRL debut in 2013 with seven games for the Sharks off the bench as a back-rower.

He moved to Penrith in 2014 and spent two and a half seasons as a utility back-rower with a handful of games filling in at five-eighth and hooker before coach Anthony Griffin moved him to the centres in mid-2016 with spectacular results.

The move came out of necessity in an injury-ravaged team but some blistering attacking form suggested Peachey may have found a permanent role.

This year, two stints at centre bookended some impressive form filling in at five-eighth alongside Panthers and Blues teammate James Maloney. That again highlighted his utility value and effectively cemented his NSW gig.