The six changes NSW Blues must make for State of Origin in 2026

After surrendering a 1-0 series lead to hand Queensland the shield in front of their own fans, it’s time for some tough decisions at the NSW selection table. These are the six changes the Blues must make in 2026.

Laurie Daley has always lived by the belief that a NSW player never owns the Blues’ State of Origin jersey, they are merely caretakers of the privilege.

Which is why, after surrendering a 1-0 series lead to hand Queensland the shield in front of your home fans, deep dissection of the Blues’ performance needs to be made. Which includes tough decisions at the selection table in 2026.

These are the six changes NSW must make to restore state pride.

A calf injury robbed Mitchell Moses of selection, but he must be recalled in 2026. Picture: Getty Images

MITCHELL MOSES

Moses sat inside Daley’s coaches box at Accor Stadium. This time next year, the Eels captain should be driving the Blues home to a series win.

A calf injury robbed Moses of being available for game two. It’s not too much to suggest that the injury was series defining for NSW. How dearly the Blues would’ve loved the raking boot of Moses in the first half, when Nathan Cleary desperately needed kick support. There was a Luai kick in the fifth minute, when the Blues were on the attack, which lofted straight into the arms of Val Holmes, releasing all pressure on the Maroons.

Keaon Koloamatangi went within a whisker of being picked in Origin III and his brutality was sorely missed. Picture: Getty Images

KEAON KOLOAMATANGI

The Rabbitohs enforcer went within a whisker of being chosen ahead of Stefano Utoikamanu in the decider. In sensational form for South Sydney over the past month, Koloamatangi’s brutality with the ball was sorely missed by the Blues. Utoikamanu finished the match with six runs for 50 metres.

Dylan Edwards was solid for NSW, but there’s no denying the form of James Tedesco. Picture: Getty Images

JAMES TEDESCO

A harsh call perhaps, given the lustre and champion qualities of NSW fullback Dylan Edwards, but no one can deny the form, leadership and never-say-die attitude of Tedesco.

The Dally M favourite is arguably going better than when he famously sealed victory for NSW at Accor Stadium in game three of the 2019 series.

Blayke Brailey has been knocking on the door for several years and 2026 could be his year. Picture: Getty Images

BLAYKE BRAILEY

The Sharks hooker has been knocking on the door of Origin for several seasons, but 2026 could be Brailey’s year, if he can continue his current form into next season. Former Blues hooker Michael Ennis rates Brailey as the best defensive hooker in the game, while his running game and passing from the ground is among the best in the NRL. Reece Robson is a class dummy-half and a tireless worker, but his service on Wednesday night was far from crisp.

Jacob Kiraz deserves a call-up in 2026, even if it means moving Lomax to the centres or out of the side. Picture: Getty Images

JACOB KIRAZ

Kiraz showed just how close he is to Origin football by being placed on standby for Brian To’o (knee) ahead of the decider.

The tackle-busting Bulldog only needs to replicate his current form to deserve a call-up in 2026. NSW could move Zac Lomax to the centres to create a wing spot for Kiraz. The Blues’ outside backs were resoundingly beaten by the Maroons’ speed men with Latrell Mitchell having a night to forget with an error and three missed tackles.

He may just be 21-years-old, but its just a matter of when, not if, Isaiya Katoa plays Origin. Picture: Getty Images

ISAIYA KATOA

Too soon for the 21-year-old? Not if you ask some of the best judges in the game.

The Blues fluffed their lines terribly in attack in the decider and were desperate for a circuit-breaker. Why not pair the understudy to Cleary alongside the Penrith playmaker? The Dolphins’ rising star has all the signs that it’s not a matter of if, but when he wears the NSW jersey.

Originally published as The six changes NSW Blues must make for State of Origin in 2026