State of Origin teams have been finalised an hour before kick-off for the series opener in Adelaide with Queensland making late changes.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has been elevated to the starting side at prop, along with Reuben Cotter with second-gamer Thomas Flegler and Roosters front-rower Lindsay Collins relegated to the interchange.

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There had been pre-game speculation that the Blues would tinker with their run-on side with Liam Martin and Cameron Murray considered options to start ahead of recalled veteran Tyson Frizell or debutant Hudson Young in the back row but Brad Fittler has stuck with the selected team.

It wouldn’t be a State of Origin build-up without drama and it arrived this time around on Monday in the form of Blues centre Latrell Mitchell being ruled out with a calf strain.

Matt Burton was rushed into the NSW camp to be the new 18th man with Stephen Crichton elevated to starting centre.

Billy Slater made the bold call to drop Kalyn Ponga, who was man of the match in last year’s decider, for Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh. But in Walsh, Slater has a 20-year-old who appears afraid of nothing. The Broncos whiz throws caution to the wind and has 13 try assists and four tries to his name at club level this season.

NSW concede they were intimidated last year by the Maroons and Fittler has looked to fight fire with fire in 2023. The inclusion of prop Tevita Pangai jnr on debut is likely to produce sparks against a Queensland pack stacked with his old Brisbane teammates. Fellow debutant, Canberra back-rower Hudson Young, will also be doing everything they can to unsettle the Queenslanders.

Origin reps per team

Panthers	6
Broncos	5
Cowboys	3
Dolphins, Storm, Sea Eagles, Roosters, Titans, Rabbitohs, Bulldogs	2
Dragons, Tigers, Knights, Eels, Sharks, Raiders	1

How they’ll line up

NSW Blues

1. Fullback – James Tedesco (captain)
Age: 30
Origins: 19
Origin tries: 7
His form has been under fire for the first time in his career but Tedesco is the Blues’ most-experienced player and a proven performer on the big stage, so will be primed to silence his critics.

2. Winger – Brian To’o
Age: 24
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 3
To’o is one of the most reliable men out of yardage in the game and his chemistry with the healthy Penrith contingent will be crucial to NSW’s chances.

3. Centre – Stephen Crichton
Age: 22
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 0
A late inclusion after first-choice 18th man Campbell Graham left camp through injury last Monday, Crighton now finds himself back in the team thanks to Latrell Mitchell’s 11th hour withdrawal. 

4. Centre – Tom Trbojevic
Age: 26
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 9
Trbojevic has been under an injury cloud all season but turned it on at the 11th hour to secure his spot. He was player of the series the last time he suited up so expect him to demand plenty of ball.

5. Winger – Josh Addo-Carr
Age: 27
Origins: 12
Origin tries: 10
Controversially overlooked last year, Addo-Carr needed only one game back from injury to receive the nod for a Blues recall. His explosive pace gives NSW an X-Factor on the right.

6. Five-eighth – Jarome Luai
Age: 26
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 2
Luai held off a stiff challenge from Nicho Hynes to retain his spot as five-eighth and must now repay the faith by unlocking Latrell Mitchell and Panthers teammate Brian To’o on the left. Could also spend some time at hooker.

7. Halfback – Nathan Cleary
Age: 25
Origins: 13
Origin tries: 2
No man is more important to the Blues’ chances than their on-field general. Cleary was the architect of NSW’s emphatic win in Game II last year and he’ll need to turn it on again to help them start the series with a bang.

8. Prop – Tevita Pangai jnr
Age: 27
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
The most surprising selection on either side, Pangai must use his explosive energy for good if the Blues are to win the crucial battle in the middle of the park.

9. Hooker – Api Koroisau
Age: 30
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 1
Brad Fittler has made a big call overlooking Origin veteran Damien Cook, so scheming rake Api Koroisau is out to impress as the Blues’ sole hooker. The Wests Tigers captain is tasked with marshalling the middle and keeping the ruck speed slick.

10. Prop – Payne Haas
Age: 23
Origins: 9
Origin tries: 0
Arguably the NRL’s form player, the Brisbane behemoth needs a big game to help the Blues overcome a handful of injuries in the forward pack. Haas limped off the training park on Friday with a suspected ankle injury but returned to training on Sunday and is expected to line up as planned.

11. Second-rower – Tyson Frizell
Age: 31
Origins: 14
Origin tries: 3
Good judges considered his Origin career over but the Newcastle veteran adds vital experience to a forward pack looking to take it up to the star-studded Maroons.

12. Second-rower – Hudson Young
Age: 24
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
Young’s form for Canberra has become irresistible, and on top of his physical approach he thrives in effort areas like kick chases and ball strips.

13. Lock – Isaah Yeo
Age: 28
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 0
What might have been if the Penrith co-captain could’ve made it a couple more metres through the defence in the dying stages of last year’s series opener? Yeo provides the link between the halves and can be relied upon to get through plenty of work in defence.

14. Interchange – Junior Paulo
Age: 29
Origins: 9
Origin tries: 0
One of the Blues’ best last series, Paulo will pack a punch from the bench and loves to free his arms for an offload.

15. Interchange – Cameron Murray
Age: 25
Origins: 10
Origin tries: 1
The South Sydney captain has become one of the first men picked in recent seasons. Traditionally an edge back-rower at Origin level, Murray and/or Liam Martin will likely spend some time in the middle as the game unfolds.

16. Interchange – Liam Martin
Age: 26
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 0
Another Blue who comes into the series opener on the back of an injury. Martin has relished his role as agitator-in-chief across the last two series so expect him to provoke the Maroons’ key men.

17. Interchange – Nicho Hynes
Age: 26
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
After two years on the fringes as 18th man, Hynes finally earns his chance off the bench. He is set to reprise the Mr Fix-It role that made him an NRL star at Melbourne and could spend some time at hooker.

20. Reserve – Matt Burton
Age: 23
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 1
Elevated to 18th man after Latrell Mitchell’s late withdrawal, Burton played twice last year for the Blues but will only see action if there’s more 11th-hour injury drama, three in-game NSW concussions or injury resulting from foul play.

19. Reserve – Stefano Utoikamanu
Age: 23
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
Picked for the second time as an Origin squad member, the Wests Tigers prop was born in New Zealand but is viewed as a NSW player of the future.

Queensland Maroons

1. Fullback – Reece Walsh
Age: 20
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
Nicknamed “Reece Lightning” for his blistering speed, Brisbane custodian Walsh edged out Kalyn Ponga to make his debut on the back of scintillating club form. Walsh plays with creativity, confidence and a trademark verve.

2. Winger – Selwyn Cobbo
Age: 20
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 0
One of Brisbane’s emerging tyros, Cobbo is raw but has proven himself a regular try scorer with 26 in just 37 NRL games. Has already forged a slick combination with Walsh in club football, which NSW will have to watch.

3. Centre – Valentine Holmes
Age: 27
Origins: 13
Origin tries: 11
An Origin specialist who delivers whenever he plays for Queensland, the goal-kicker is one of the Maroons’ first picked with 11 tries in 14 appearances.

4. Centre – Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Age: 21
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 1
The man known as ‘Hammer’ has been in stellar form for the Dolphins at fullback but made his Maroons debut in 2021 in the centres and has played the position previously. Has been preferred to Queensland stalwart Dane Gagai.

5. Winger – Murray Taulagi
Age: 24
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
A schoolboy rugby union star, Taulagi has a hulking frame and silky skills to go with it. Made his Maroons debut last year and is highly regarded for the vigour with which he returns the ball from back-field.

6. Five-eighth – Cameron Munster
Age: 28
Origins: 15
Origin tries: 2
Queensland’s best and most influential player, when Munster fires the Maroons usually win. Player of the series in 2020, the Melbourne playmaker will carry a rib injury into the clash in Adelaide.

7. Halfback – Daly Cherry-Evans (captain)
Age: 34
Origins: 19
Origin tries: 2
Captaining the Maroons to two series victories (2020 and 2022) in the past three, Cherry-Evans is the side’s most experienced Origin player. Credits a personal challenge from Queensland coach Billy Slater for improving his defence.

15. Prop – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Age: 23
Origins: 9
Origin tries: 0
The Gold Coast captain has been a mainstay since making his debut in 2020. Relishes confrontation and will be gunning for NSW prop Payne Haas as he did in his debut series.

9. Hooker – Ben Hunt
Age: 33
Origins: 14
Origin tries: 3
The ultimate team player, Hunt has twice (2019 and 2021) won the Ron McAuliffe Medal as Queensland’s best in an Origin series. Named to start at hooker but will also play as an extra half. 

16. Prop – Reuben Cotter
Age: 24
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Known as “Mullet Man”, the North Queensland middle forward plays with no thought for self-preservation. Has vowed to keep the heat on NSW hooker Api Koroisau.

11. Second-row – David Fifita
Age: 23
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 0
The Gold Coast wrecking ball has taken his all-round game to a new level this season. Can break a game open with his ball-running but can now be counted on to do the tough stuff Origin demands.

12. Second-row – Tom Gilbert
Age: 22
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Already the spiritual leader of the Dolphins pack at a young age, Gilbert is bound for a lengthy career in the Origin arena. A selfless and reliable forward who can play 80 minutes and will compete for the entirety.

13. Lock – Patrick Carrigan
Age: 25
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 0
Regarded as a future Maroons captain, Carrigan was player of the series in 2022 in a breakout season for Brisbane. The trainee physiotherapist has added ball-playing dimension to his tough-as-teak approach.

14. Interchange – Harry Grant
Age: 25
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 1
The Melbourne rake will come on as the NSW forwards start to tire, when his running game will come to the fore. Had a brilliant Origin debut in 2020 where he scored a series-winning try.

10. Interchange – Lindsay Collins
Age: 27
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 0
The Sydney Roosters prop has played in two winning series (2020 and 2022) already, relishes the grind and performs with grit. Not flash, but will do his job.

8. Interchange – Tom Flegler
Age: 23
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Flegler grew up idolising Maroons great Shane Webcke and earned his recall on the back of a strong last month for Brisbane. An aggressive front-rower who will embrace the Origin intensity.

17. Interchange – Jai Arrow
Age: 27
Origins: 11
Origin tries: 0
The most experienced of all the Maroons middles, Arrow has a big motor, underrated offloading skill and a capacity to move to the edge if required. 

18. Reserve – Tom Dearden
Age: 22
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0 
Dearden had a superb Maroons debut last year in the series decider when called on to replace the ill Cameron Munster. If needed in an emergency he has the toughness and versatility to cover a range of positions.

19. Reserve – Christian Welch
Age: 28
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 0 
Welch has been a solid performer for the Maroons since his debut in 2019 but he missed last year’s series after tearing his Achilles for the Storm in the opening round of the season.

with AAP