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The 2013 New South Wales Blues State of Origin team for Game 1 will be announced at 5.00pm AEST this afternoon. Join us for live updates and reaction.
>> EXPERT REACTION to the NSW Blues team for State of Origin 2013 Game 1
With the crucial 2013 State of Origin opener just 10 days away, incoming NSW coach Laurie Daley has – or has had – some difficult decisions to make.
Attention in the lead-in has focused primarily around NSW’s troublesome halves combination.
With Mitchell Pearce set to be named in the number seven jumper, Daley will choose between his Roosters teammate James Maloney and incumbent Todd Carney as his partner, and it is expected that Maloney will get the nod.
That said, an indifferent performance from Maloney in the Roosters’ 28-16 loss to Melbourne last night will hardly help his cause.
Another selection headache for NSW selectors is out wide, with Nathan Merritt and Blake Ferguson the likely candidates to be named on the wing along with Brett Morris, who returned from injury against Penrith on Saturday night.
Merritt has been in blistering form for the Rabbitohs, crossing the tryline 11 times in 10 matches, but Blake Ferguson’s recent performances for the Raiders has put him firmly in the frame.
If information from Daily Telegraph editor Phil Rothfield is to be believed, Merritt’s hopes of an Origin debut are set to be let down.
If that information is correct, both Merritt and Carney are set for a disappointing Sunday evening as will Penrith prop Tim Grant, who came from nowhere last year to be one of the Blues’ best.
Grant’s omission would be in stark contrast to the 17-man lineup that The Roar’s audience named during the week, with Grant accumulating over 50 percent of the vote for one of the front row spots, while Merritt and Carney also did enough to make the side.
Tonight marks the first of many key decisions that Daley will need to get right if NSW are to finally end their seven-year drought.
Find out how it all unfolds from 5.00pm AEST as we cover the announcement with live updates, and let us know what you thought of Daley’s side to take on the Queensland Maroons.
NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley speaking to media after the Blues squad announcement #Newsfeed #2DayFM twitter.com/2DayFMSydney/s…
— 2DayFM 104.1 (@2DayFMSydney) May 26, 2013
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