State of Origin 2020, Game I teams: Queensland, NSW teams named after leak
The teams for the opening State of Origin match are in following a leak from the NSWRL and QRL, with 11 debutants to take the field in Adelaide. SEE THE TEAMS HERE
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Wayne Bennett has hit back at Queensland’s detractors as the super coach unveiled eight debutants for Origin I - including Maroons backline bolters Xavier Coates, Phillip Sami and Brenko Lee.
Bennett has released his 21-man squad for the series opener, presiding over Queensland’s biggest selection shake-up in two decades as he turns to a posse of uncapped rookies to ignite the injury-ravaged Maroons.
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The eight new faces for Game One at Adelaide Oval next Wednesday night are AJ Brimson, Jake Friend, Lindsay Collins, Jaydn Su’A, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Lee, Coates and Sami.
Features of the new-look Queensland team aiming to snap NSW’s quest for a third consecutive series win include:
* Four new faces in the backline headlined by Brimson (fullback), Storm giant Lee (centre) and debutant wingers Coates and Sami;
* Friend has edged out Ben Hunt and Harry Grant for the hooking spot;
* Out-of-form Cowboy Coen Hess has come from the clouds to win a starting spot in the back row;
* Storm monster Tino Fa’asuamaleuai will make his Origin debut in the starting side at lock;
* Hunt to be the No.14 utility, joining Jai Arrow and debutants Collins and Su’A on Queensland’s bench.
In a boost for the Maroons, star pivot Cameron Munster has been declared a certain starter despite a knee injury which prompted bookmakers to all-but write off Queensland’s hopes of winning the series.
But a defiant Bennett has come out swinging, scoffing at suggestions the Maroons will be humiliated 3-0 by the Blues as he pointed to the courage of Munster as a sign of Queensland’s never-say-die spirit.
BELOW: QUEENSLAND AND NSW TEAMS FOR ORIGIN I
“I thought he might miss the series,” Bennett said of Munster, who injured his knee for a third time in the opening week of the NRL finals.
“I didn’t think he would finish the season, but he has defied all that and here he is.
“Munster is determined to play and that says a lot to me about what this Queensland team believes in.
“Cam is so important to us. I was really pleased he turned up for this camp.”
Penrith utility Kurt Capewell has been named 18th man, with Moeaki Fotuaika, Dunamis Lui and Hymel Hunt the remaining members of Queensland’s 21-man squad.
ORIGIN TEAM SELECTOR: PICK YOUR MAROONS SIDE HERE
ORIGIN TEAM SELECTOR: PICK YOUR BLUES SIDE HERE
Meanwhile, Blues coach Brad Fittler has officially pardoned Cody Walker.
The South Sydney star was replaced after just 58 minutes - and then dropped - after a difficult Origin I in Brisbane last year.
Living with that pain for more than 12 months, Walker has now been given a reprieve by faithful Fittler.
While Luke Keary was chosen at five-eighth, Walker was handed another opportunity after NSW bench candidate, Melbourne’s Ryan Papenhuyzen, was ruled out injured.
Walker roared back into Origin contention this year with a string of elite performances for South Sydney.
The Daily Telegraph predicted a NSW team on Wednesday with 16 of the 17 positions being confirmed.
MORE ORIGIN NEWS:
NSW will field three debutants – Keary, Clint Gutherson and Junior Paulo. Conversely, Queensland named an inexperienced squad with eight players on debut including Xavier Coates, Phillip Sami and Brenko Lee.
The extra reserves named for NSW are Cam McInnes, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Nathan Brown and Zac Lomax.
Gutherson has been splendid again for Parramatta this year while Daniel Tupou edged out Nick Cotric for a wing spot. Newcastle’s Daniel Saifiti was named as a starting prop with Paulo.
The Blues will field a potent bench comprising Walker, Cam Murray, Angus Crichton and Payne Hass. Fullback James Tedesco was named but will need to pass a fitness test on an injured leg this Saturday to play Wednesday night’s opener in Adelaide.
QUEENSLAND TEAM: AJ Brimson, Xavier Coates, Brenko Lee, Dane Gagai, Phillip Sami, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans (c), Christian Welch, Jake Friend, Josh Papalii, Felise Kaufusi, Coen Hess, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. Bench: Ben Hunt, Lindsay Collins, Jai Arrow, Jaydn Su’A. Others: Kurt Capewell, Moeaki Fotuaika, Dunamis Lui, Hymel Hunt.
NSW BLUES: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Jack Wighton 4. Clint Gutherson* 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Luke Keary* 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Damien Cook 10. Junior Paulo* 11. Boyd Cordner (c) 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Jake Trbojevic Interchange: 14. Cody Walker, 15. Payne Haas. 16. Cameron Murray 17. Angus Crichton
Coach: Brad Fittler
Originally published as State of Origin 2020, Game I teams: Queensland, NSW teams named after leak