How Laurie Daley should pick NSW Blues side for State of Origin game one if selecting on form
Laurie Daley has said he will pick his NSW team on form. If the returning coach is true to his word, this is the side he should select, including a Blues legend he simply can’t look past.
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Returning NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has said his Origin team will be picked on form.
The biggest question Daley has heading into the Origin series is who will partner Nathan Cleary in the halves, but if you’re going on form there is only one answer: Jarome Luai.
While Mitchell Moses has come back with aplomb, Luai has been at the forefront of the Tigers’ rise from the bottom of the table to being on the cusp of the top eight.
Incumbent fullback Dylan Edwards is also under pressure to keep his spot given his disrupted start to the season and the Panthers’ shocking form prior to Magic Round.
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But if Daley is true to his word, there is a living Blues legend you can’t look past.
With less than three weeks to go until Game I teams are named, we pick it for you, Laurie.
1. JAMES TEDESCO
Tedesco could join a select few to have their Origin career looking completely over, before taking their position back outright. The former NSW captain has been the Roosters’ best this year, and his stats don’t lie. The 32-year-old has the most line and tackle breaks of any fullback this year. Dylan Edwards remains his main competition, after his Panthers bounced back to form against the Broncos, but we’re giving the nod to Teddy.
2. TOM TRBOJEVIC
It’s not fullback, but you just have to find a spot for him. When Manly plays well, it is with Turbo steering the ship, and the same can be said for the Blues. In his four series, the Blues have won three, with the Manly fullback injured in the early stages of game two in 2023 where the series was sealed once he was off the field.
3. LATRELL MITCHELL
He has only played four games but he still remains one of the game’s true match-winners. In four games Mitchell has three try assists, but also four line breaks and six tackle breaks. In a position flush with talent, Mitchell is a must.
4. STEPHEN CRICHTON
The league’s best defensive centre in the league’s best defensive team. But he’s also a proven finisher. The Bulldogs captain has an 86% tackle efficiency and, just like he has done with the Bulldogs, his leadership will set a standard for a new look Blues team.
5. DANIEL TUPOU
Remember, this team is on form. Brian To’o and Zac Lomax are injured. Tupou does not have a great Origin track record, but on form, he can’t be overlooked. He is currently second in run metres for any winger in the competition, and the Blues will be in desperate need of someone to carry the load from the backfield.
6. JAROME LUAI
Many credit Mitchell Moses’ heroics for a Blues series victory, but it was Luai who set-up the series-deciding try for Bradman Best in the decider. Luai has more offloads than any five-eighth in the competition, but also has the history of four straight premierships alongside Cleary.
7. NATHAN CLEARY
Despite a rough start with the four time premiers, Cleary has still been a shining light for the disappointing Panthers. Cleary has taken the line on with more runs than any other halfback in the competition, but also more tackle breaks. And while Mitchell Moses did the job last year, you can’t keep the best player in the game out.
8. PAYNE HAAS
The incumbent front rower who doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Haas had a great Origin last year, but with the highest tackle bust for any front rower, along with the most run metres and tied most offloads, there is no more of an automatic selection than the Broncos star.
9. API KOROISAU
The race is tight between Koroisau and incumbent Reece Robson. But, like most of his Tigers teammates, is in the kind of fine form that elevates the play of his forward pack. Has the most offloads and run of any hooker eligible for NSW.
10. TERRELL MAY
It couldn’t be anyone else. May is an outright 80 minute player who has proven too good to keep out of the team. Tied for most offloads with Haas, May has more runs than any front rower and provides a tackle accuracy of 93%.
11. HUDSON YOUNG
One of the reasons the Raiders are sitting close to the top of the table. Young loves to find the line with most tries, line breaks and runs, and tied for most run metres for any second rower. The 26-year-old has found career best form and should be rewarded with a recall.
12. HAUMOLE OLAKAU’ATU
Was dropped for game three last year, and it looks like Olakau’atu is responding with his actions. He has been on fire for Manly and a real leader in their pack. Infamously got involved in an Origin melee when he wasn’t playing, the Sea Eagles star has more tackle breaks then any other second rower in the comp, while tied for most run metres and second for line breaks, runs and try assists.
13. ISAAH YEO
Over the last five years, no one has been a more consistent player than Yeo, and even poor results from his team shouldn’t derail the incumbent Blues lock. With Jake Trbojevic missing, Yeo will take the captain spot, and with the most minutes played by any lock and a 94% tackle accuracy, there isn’t a better choice.
14. CONNOR WATSON
Watson could realistically start in this team, but his versatility has him retaining his 14 jersey from last series. Watson has been a shining light for the Roosters this year, and you can argue hooker isn’t even his best position. The 28-year-old could be the game breaker for the Blues in this position.
15. MITCH BARNETT
Has been one of the Warriors’ best in their ascension into the top four this season. Capable of long minutes but could also come on to provide some bench punch, while also versatile enough to play on an edge.
16. SPENCER LENIU
No other player has more of an impact off the bench. Even the Roosters aren’t totally convinced that the ex-Panther is a sure-fire starter, having been inserted mid-game a handful of times this year. In any case, got his first taste last year and hasn’t looked back since.
17. ANGUS CRICHTON
Can cover the middle and edges of the field, on form Crichton just misses the starting team.
But last year’s player of the series will be in the Blues best 17 should be a lock given his form for the Roosters.
The Roosters back rower brings an intensity which is made for Origin.
Originally published as How Laurie Daley should pick NSW Blues side for State of Origin game one if selecting on form
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