NSW Blues add two players to Origin squad in surprise move

NSW have taken the surprising step of adding more players to the squad just two days after the Blues unveiled their 20-man team.

The NSW Blues have added two more players to their squad for the State of Origin series opener.

Coach Laurie Daley named a strong squad of 20 on Sunday night, with the omission of Terrell May and injury concerns to Payne Haas and Stephen Crichton the main talking points.

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Now in a surprise move, Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston and Tigers utility Adam Doueihi have arrived in camp after being called up to NSW’s squad.

Channel 9 filmed Doueihi and Preston arriving at the Blues’ base in Leura in the Blue Mountains, where the team will prepare ahead of next Wednesday’s series opener at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Preston has been in strong form for the Bulldogs and he will join club teammates Crichton and Max King, who is set to make his Origin debut on the bench.

Fellow Bulldogs forward Kurt Mann was named 18th man in Queensland’s squad.

Preston’s selection is intriguing given he is still serving a four-game suspension for a crusher tackle on Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in round 9, meaning he is ineligible to play Game 1 of Origin even if Daley wanted to catapult him into the team.

Preston will next be available for selection for the Bulldogs’ Round 15 clash with the Rabbitohs.

The addition of Doueihi to the squad will raise eyebrows given the Wests Tigers centre has hardly been in scintillating form so far this season.

Doueihi’s penalty goal that sealed a golden point win over the Sharks at Leichhardt Oval has been his season highlight so far.

Bulldogs forward Jacob Preston has joined the NSW squad. Picture: NRL Photos

Tigers utility Adam Doueihi is a surprise addition to NSW’s squad. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

NSW Blues squad for State of Origin Game 1

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Brian To’o

3. Stephen Crichton

4. Latrell Mitchell

5. Zac Lomax

6. Mitch Moses

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Mitchell Barnett

9. Reece Robson

10. Payne Haas

11. Liam Martin

12. Angus Crichton

13. Isaah Yeo (c)

14. Connor Watson

15. Spencer Leniu

16. Hudson Young

17. Max King

18. Stefano Utoikamanu

20. Haumole Olakau’atu

21. Jacob Preston

22. Adam Doueihi

Originally published as NSW Blues add two players to Origin squad in surprise move