Is it too early to start talking about Origin? Part 1: NSW

State of Origin returns to its mid-season home this year, and Origin 1 will be played at the MCG on 9 June.

So it’s time to get cracking with the annual argument about who should be picked and why, pointing out how poor the QLD team looks on paper and giving Brad Fittler much needed advice on the make-up of his bench.

Today, we’ll deal with NSW. Here is the team that I would pick, rather than the team that I think they will pick. There’s probably no real surprises though, as I believe that the team really picks itself (love that cliché).

1. James Tedesco (captain)
Despite a growing list of challengers for his fullback crown, James Tedesco is still the best number 1 in the game, whether it be scoring tries himself, setting up his supports, bringing the ball off his own line, organising the defence or making key tackles. His importance to the team was highlighted in Game 3 last year when he left the field injured.

2. Brian To’o
The rapid rise of To’o in the NRL has been breathtaking, to say the least. With 21 tries in his 38 games and averaging nearly 250 running metres this year, To’o is a handful for any opposition and will terrorise the QLD outside backs. What he may lack in height, he more than makes up for in power and involvement.

3. Latrell Mitchell
I’ve always believed that Mitchell’s best position is centre, and the time he’s spent at fullback for Souths has only served to both fine-tune his skills and improve his fitness. Mitchell is a rugged defended, one of the most damaging ball runners in the game and he knows how to set up his supports. Mitchell is a player you don’t want to line up against and is also a handy backup goal kicker if required.

(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

4. Tom Trbojevic
Not another fullback playing centre I hear you say, but Turbo is no Gutho. If he’s fit, Tom Trbojevic needs to be in the team at either right centre or wing, and JAC has the wing spot sewn up. Turbo is one fullback who has proven he can handle centre with ease at theOrigin level, and with his height and size, he is one of the hardest players to contain. He also is a player who is never beaten and is always looking to get involved.

5. Josh Addo-Carr
Addo-Carr is an automatic selection on the right wing and has rarely put in a poor performance in his nine games for NSW. Outstanding speed, excellent kick chase, great positional play and a much-improved defender, Addo-Carr will form a lethal partnership with Turbo.

6. Jarome Luai
Luai made the extended Origin squad last year without getting on the field and he’s started 2021 on fire along with his Panthers teammates. His biggest challenge will be in his own head, going from the big fish in a small pond at the Panthers to a small fish in a big pond in Origin. His combination and understanding with half Nathan Cleary is second to none, and he never stops asking questions of the opposition defence.

7. Nathan Cleary
At only age 23, this will be Cleary’s fourth Origin campaign, and there’s no better halfback going around. He combines a cool head, steady game management, strong defence and an excellent kicking game, and just needs to convert the confidence he plays with at Penrith to the Origin stage.

(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

8. Junior Paulo
Paulo had a strong debut series last year and will be better for the experience. He is still in good form, never fails to bend the defensive line and has a good offload. I like the fact that along with fellow starting middle players Daniel Saifiti and Isaah Yeo, he can play big minutes if required.

9. Damien Cook
No surprises here. NSW’s premier hooker is currently in great form. This will be his fourth Origin campaign, and as one of the team’s senior players he will now have the added incentive of not only getting the job done for NSW, but holding off the coming challenge from Harry Grant for his Australian jersey.

10. Daniel Saifiti
An imposing sight, mean and with a big motor, Saifiti looks like he was built for Origin and he certainly hasn’t looked out of place in his NSW jersey over the last two years. One of QLD’s strengths is the middle of the ruck so Saifiti will need to bring his A-game.

11. Cameron Murray
Under the new six again rules you need a mobile back row who can maintain the pressure and there’s no better player at this caper than Murray. Great ball skills, an excellent defender and perpetually in motion, Murray will make an impact on the right edge.

12. Angus Crichton
Crichton’s game has improved every year, and as he enters his fourth Origin campaign he is now one of the best backrowers in the game. Both tough and skillful, his left-edge combination with Latrell Mitchell will be something to see.

13. Isaah Yeo
Yeo is the benchmark for the modern-day lock forward. He can make the hard runs, has footwork and ball skills and is a tough defender. He’s also a natural leader and a calm head under pressure.

14. Jack Wighton
I couldn’t fit Wighton into the run-on side ahead of those picked but to me he makes the ideal Origin bench player. Very experienced, he can play virtually anywhere in the backline and wouldn’t look out of place at either dummy half or in the back row.

15. Dale Finucane
Finucane is a warrior, pure and simple. Hard as nails, he loves the contact, whether it be running the ball off his own line or taking on the opposition ball runners. Finucane will never let you down.

16. Payne Haas
Despite struggling somewhat with the out-of-form Broncos, I believe Haas is one of the few middle forwards in the game who can turn a match with either an inspirational run or a critical offload. He’s a very strong defender and loves to chew up the metres in attack.

17. Jake Trbojevic
This will be Jurbo’s fifth Origin campaign and he’s a selection must. Strong defender, good ballplayer and the guy you want on the field when the chips are down. Like Finucane, you know what you’re going to get from Jake Trbojevic.

So that’s my team, and it wasn’t too hard to pick at all. Of course, there are some notable omissions, and players like Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cody Walker, Zac Lomax, Stephen Crichton, Daniel Tupau, Victor Radley, Tyson Frizell, Nathan Brown, Bradman Best, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Clint Gutherson all have valid claims for selection.

Compared to QLD, NSW have a deep talent pool to choose from, so they need to get it right this year and play the game on the field rather than on paper. Can you imagine what a skilful coach could do with that outfit?