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.
Clarke
Guest
Kurt Gidley on the bench as utility. Why not Carney? Kurtley's to old. Three Debs when we have a solid combination with the exception of Uatae being a heart attack on the wing, Would have dropped Uatae and promoted Merritt.
Renegade
Guest
Sorry what I meant by unfair was that Matt Sing could actually tackle...
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Um it's exactly a fair comparison. The only criticism people have of Merritt at SOO is "he's too small". He's a better defender than Uate or Ferguson.
Renegade
Guest
Matt Sing could tackle, he was one of the best defensive wingers....not really a fair comparison.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Not for the first time, Buzz ruins it for everyone!!
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Well, we can thank Phil Rothfield for taking most of the fun out of today. Thanks for tuning in for what was effectively 20 minutes of incoherent Laurie Daley rambling. Be sure to check out Ryan O'Connell's article, up now: http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/05/26/nsw-state-of-origin-2013-team-announced-expert-reaction/ Thanks again, feel free to drop me a tweet @TheMattBungard
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Nathan Merritt has 6cm on Matt Sing, who played 24 origins. This 'too small' nonsense has long since worn thin and is one of the reasons NSW lose every year
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Daley: "On big stage, it's not big plays that win games but small plays over time. Need to get small plays right." "I feel like a rookie going into his first Origin camp, I'm that excited. Prep has been done. Really looking forward to it." When asked about the Maroons... "QLD are too professional in approach. I think they've been playing very, very good football."
eagleJack
Guest
Fair enough too. It would have been a tough decision for Daley but lets not shy away from the fact that size is needed on the edges. Not only to contain Inglis. But to cart the ball out of the dangerzone. Ferguson can be used as an extra forward moving out of the 22. More than happy with his inclusion.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Daley can barely stumble to an answer as he's asked why Nathan Merritt isn't in the side. Starts mumbling about Blake Ferguson's size.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
So will the Roosters halves be as overmatched as they were last night?
eagleJack
Guest
Yeah bit dull hey Matt. So who replaces Boyd in QLD?
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Laurie Daley says he's "more than happy" with the squad.
eagleJack
Guest
Rothfield gets it right again. That annoys me that he has credible sources...
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Team is... NSW: Jarryd Hayne, Brett Morris, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, Blake Ferguson, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Paul Gallen, Robbie Farah, James Tamou, Ryan Hoffman, Luke Lewis, Greg Bird, Kurt Gidley, Anthony Watmough, Andrew Fifita, Trent Merrin. Paul Gallen has once again been named captain of the NSW side for the 2013 State of Origin series.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Here we go...
Des
Guest
It dies not matter who NSW pick, Queensland will win 3 - nil
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Showing some Merritt highlights... Christian Jantzen says "what does he have to do to get a start?"
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
We're on, and greeted with some footage from 2005 and the graphic comes up with that leaked team
eagleJack
Guest
I don't mind if they play Gallen up front. He's done it before. And he plays in the middle anyway. You'll still get 20 hit ups and 30 tackles from him regardless of the number on his back. So Grant will miss out. And we can play an extra backrower. Maloney over Carney is my only concern from the leaked team.