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Jake Trbojevic has been unveiled as a shock choice as captain for NSW in game one of the State of Origin series on June 5 with new coach Michael Maguire shaking up the team in his first series in charge.
The Blues have officially announced their team with the Manly veteran handed the captaincy after James Tedesco lost his spot in the team altogether.
Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards has been in superior form to Tedesco for the best part of 12 months and Maguire has brought him into the team ahead of the Roosters veteran.
The squad which was officially announced on Sunday night has seven potential debutants with Edwards, Cameron McInnes, Joseph Suaalii, Zac Lomax, Spencer Leniu, Haumole Olakau’atu and Warriors forward Mitch Barnett in the 20-man squad for game one at Accor Stadium. Barnett is unlikely to play after being named on the extended bench.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Maguire recently said he had been considering as many as 50 players for the State of Origin series opener and never publicly stated that Tedesco would be assured of keeping his spot.
The 2018 Dally M medallist is arguably the best fullback in NSW Origin history, and has played a record 22 straight matches for the Blues.
But the Roosters star will become the first Australia Test captain to be dropped from their State of Origin side while still leading the Kangaroos.
McInnes is a minor surprise being picked to start at lock ahead of Isaah Yeo while Api Koroisau is another high-profile omission with the Wests Tigers skipper losing his spot to Cowboys hooker Reece Robson.
Maguire still has a number of selection headaches heading into the match, most notably Nicho Hynes‘ calf injury.
Jarome Luai looks to pass. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary is on standby if Hynes is ruled out although Jarome Luai has put his hand up for a switch to the No.7 jersey with Matt Burton the likely five-eighth if the Sharks star is not passed fit.
Hynes’ scans on his calf were were brought forward from Monday to Sunday, with results expected on Monday morning and Cronulla are confident the issue was only tightness and not more serious but he will need a modified training load.
Hynes wobbled to his feet just before halftime in Cronulla’s 42-0 loss to Penrith on Saturday night, having copped a knee to the head. He passed his head injury assessment but remained off the field, as the calf that has troubled him in recent weeks stiffened up during his spell on the sidelines.
NSW second-rower Liam Martin was sent for scans on his hamstring on Sunday morning but has been cleared to play.
Leniu’s selection is a surprise given he was banned for eight matches earlier this season after racially abusing Ezra Mam but the Roosters prop has size and impact ability if he gets a run off the bench.
Souths skipper Cameron Murray was the first star off the selection table after he suffered a hip flexor complaint during their Round 9 loss to Penrith, ruling him out of the State of Origin series opener and possibly game two in Melbourne.
Murray has been one of NSW’s best in recent years and his absence opens the door for Olakau’atu to step up.
After two straight years of series defeats at the hands of Billy Slater’s rejuvenated Queenslanders and the exit of Brad Fittler as coach, the Blues will be desperate to draw first blood in game one of the 2024 interstate battle at Accor Stadium on June 5.
Liam Martin. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
1 Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
2 Brian To’o (Panthers)
3 Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs)
4 Joseph Suaalii (Roosters)
5 Zac Lomax (Dragons)
6 Jarome Luai (Panthers)
7 Nicho Hynes (Sharks)
8 Jake Trbojevic (c) (Sea Eagles)
9 Reece Robson (Cowboys)
10 Payne Haas (Broncos)
11 Liam Martin (Panthers)
12 Angus Crichton (Roosters)
13 Cameron McInnes (Sharks)
14 Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
15 Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles)
16 Spencer Leniu (Roosters)
17 Hudson Young (Raiders)
18 Matt Burton (Bulldogs)
19 Luke Keary (Roosters)
20 Mitch Barnett (Warriors)
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