The NSW and Queensland squads for 2013 will be named following round 11 of the 2013 NRL Premiership season, 10 days before the opening 2013 State of Origin game on June 5.
NSW have picked up several injury concerns in the leadup to the 2013 NSW State of Origin team announcement. Paul Gallen (NSW) is an early doubt, after straining his medial ligament in a club game for Cronulla. Brett Stewart will miss Game 1 with a back injury, while Brett Morris is also in doubt. With NSW looking to overturn a seven-year series losing streak, several players have been mooted for to debut, including Blake Ferguson and Nathan Merritt.
The 2012 NSW and Queensland State of Origin teams were as follows:
NSW: Brett Stewart, Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, Brett Morris, Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce, Robbie Farah, Paul Gallen, Beau Scott, James Tamou, Greg Bird, Tim Grant Interchange: Luke Lewis, Anthony Watmough, Ben Creagh, Tony Williams (Trent Merrin was released from the squad, Glenn Stewart has been ruled out with injury, replaced by Beau Scott). Paul Gallen has once again been named captain of the NSW side for the 2012 State of Origin series.
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QLD: Greg Inglis, Darius Boyd, Dane Nielsen, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Jonathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Petero Civoniceva, Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker, Matt Gillett, Dave Taylor, Ben Hannant, David Shillington, Ben Te’o (18th man) (Dave Taylor and Matt Bowen have been released from the squad). Billy Slater announced via Twitter that his knee would not “be right” for Origin. Greg Inglis will move to fullback with Dane Nielsen to play in the centres. Cameron Smith will captain the Queensland team in the 2012 State of Origin series.
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THE ROAR ON