NSW announces Origin Game 1 team change bombshell

NSW has announced James Tedesco will play in the State of Origin series opener with the Blues forced into a drastic team change.

James Tedesco of the Blues. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

James Tedesco will play in the State of Origin series opener, the Blues announced on Sunday.

The former NSW captain was axed by new coach Michael Maguire one week ago, but has now been re-called as a result of an injury scare to Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards.

It is a shattering blow for the Panthers No. 1, who was just days away from making his State of Origin debut when the series begins on Wednesday night at Accor Stadium in Sydney.

Rumours about Edwards’ injury first emerged on Saturday with reports Tedesco had been put on standby when Edwards pulled up sore during the squad’s final training session.

Edwards completed the session but reported tightness in his quad after doing a few extra drills following the end of the session.

Origin is like riding a bike for James Tedesco. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Leading NRL journalist Danny Weidler first reported on Sunday Edwards went for scans on the injured quad and has now been stood down.

It means Tedesco has been pulled out of the Roosters’ Sunday clash against the Cowboys.

The Blues will need to get special permission for Tedesco to be re-called after he was not named in the extended squad announced by NSW last week.

When news about Edwards’ injury emerged on Saturday, former Cronulla Sharks star Wade Graham said it would be “devastating” if he missed out.

It wasn’t to be for Dylan Edwards. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images.

“It’s devastating for Edwards. You get selected, he’s worked so hard and been one of the best players in the competition for the last three or four years and picks up, even if it’s just a little niggle and still manages to get to the game, it’s disrupting to his preparation … it’s just not what you want after being on top of the world,” Graham said.

Edwards’ injury means Tedesco will extend his record run of playing 23 consecutive games for NSW.

In better news for Blues fans, forward Liam Martin confirmed he was fighting fit while also saying Nicho Hynes was good to go.

James Tedesco of the Blues. photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images.

Martin and Hynes didn’t train fully with the team on the first couple of days of Blues camp, but the back rower said he has since been able to complete a full training session.

The Penrith star also revealed the injury he had been dealing with.

“It’s feeling really good. I ticked a few boxes and feeling great,” Martin said Saturday morning.

“I trained fully the day before yesterday and it’s feeling really good.

“The (Blues) physios talked with Penrith and they just sort of worked out a plan to ease into the week and then be firing at the back end of the week … so I’m ready to go.

“It was a glute tear, grade 1-type of thing. They heal quickly so I’m fortunate there.”

“He’s looking really good. We warmed up together yesterday and then jumped into training. I think he’s pulled up really well so I think there’s no dramas with either of us.”

More to come...

Originally published as NSW announces Origin Game 1 team change bombshell