NSW Origin team: Michael Maguire names Jake Trbojevic captain in new-look squad
The team is in, with Michael Maguire taking a broom to the incumbent NSW outfit in his bid to win the shield back from Queensland.
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First-year NSW coach Michael Maguire battled a series of headaches before naming a brand new Blues squad for this year’s State of Origin showdown.
Speculation had been rife for days over the make-up of the squad as they attempt to win back the shield this year for the first time since 2021.
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As the new leader, Maguire’s challenge was made that much harder after injuries to the likes of Nathan Cleary, Tom Trbojevic, Cody Walker, Mitchell Moses, Bradman Best and Cameron Murray.
NSW great Andrew Johns was among those stating his belief Dylan Edwards was going to win the fullback battle with incumbent skipper James Tedesco and that has proven the case in just one of a number of huge calls by the new coach.
Nicho Hynes, who has been under an injury cloud for some time, rugby-bound Joseph Sua’ali’i, Luke Keary and Zac Lomax have all made the cut for an extended 20-man squad.
7.35pm - The full squad for Game 1
Some pundits quipped in the lead-up to Sunday’s announcement that Maguire should just pick the three-time defending premier Penrith Panthers to take on Queensland.
They’re not all eligible, of course, but Maguire has indeed named no less than five Panthers in his 20-man squad, including debutant Dylan Edwards and stalwarts Brian To’o and Jarome Luai.
The squad has had a huge shake-up, with six debutants and a brand new skipper in Jake Trbojevic.
No less than 12 players that featured in last year’s third game have missed out, through a mix of form and injury issues.
1. Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
2. Brian To’o (Panthers)
3. Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs)
4. Joseph Suaali’i (Roosters)
5. Zac Lomax (Dragons)
6. Jarome Luai (Panthers)
7. Nicho Hynes (Sharks)
8. Jake Trbojevic, captain (Sea Eagles)
9. Reece Robson (Cowboys)
10. Payne Haas (Broncos)
11. Liam Martin (Panthers)
12. Angus Crichton (Roosters)
13. Cameron McInnes (Sharks)
14. Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
15. Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles)
16. Spencer Leniu (Roosters)
17. Hudson Young (Raiders)
18. Matt Burton (Bulldogs)
19. Luke Keary (Roosters)
20. Mitch Barnett (Warriors)
Coach: Michael Maguire
7.10pm - Former Blues coach reacts to the squad
Brad Fittler, one of the best players to ever represent the Blues, spent six long years coaching his beloved state.
He won his first series in charge in 2018 and made it two straight the following year, but defeats in three of his final four years spelled the end of his 18-match stint last year.
Speaking on Channel 9, Fittler gave his response to Maguire’s first squad, starting with one of the biggest calls, Edwards replacing skipper Tedesco at fullback.
“He hasn’t been given that jumper, he has absolutely gone out and taken it himself,” Fittler said.
“So congratulations to Dylan Edwards. There are some surprises. (Joseph) Sua’ali’i is a surprise to me.
“Spencer Leniu, I think he will do a fantastic job and Origin will suit him, but that’s a surprise.
“(Haumole) Olakau’atu deserves his spot. (Cam) McInnes, once again, he seems like an Origin type of player. But starting in front of Isaah Yeo, there are a lot of new players there.
“And with a new coach, it’s the time to do it. It’s a good team, they’ve all earned their positions, so well done and good luck to the boys.”
Well, I did say there would be some shock selections ... Let the conversations begin ....
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) May 26, 2024
6.50pm - The squad is confirmed!
Confirmation of the squad has now landed, courtesy of the official NSW Blues account on X.
It is a 20-man squad, with Manly’s Jake Trbojevic a shock choice to lead the team as it attempts to strike back against the old foe.
That makes for a fascinating match-up with Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, his teammate at the Sea Eagles.
The extended bench gives Maguire some options if his injury curse continues.
Joseph Sua’ali’i has made the cut, despite protestations from some over his decision to switch to rugby union from 2025.
Jarome Luai has earned the nod to partner Hynes in the halves, if the Shark can prove his fitness.
Roosters veteran Luke Keary is on standby for the Cronulla superstar.
Your @Westpac NSW Blues line-up for Game I 😤#ForeverBluepic.twitter.com/tyF2NYo1pH
— NSWBlues (@NSWBlues) May 26, 2024
6.40pm - Six rookies fill new-look squad
As he embarks upon his first year as NSW coach, Maguire has opted to take a broom through the side that has lost the last two series to the Maroons.
In an extended 20-man squad, Maguire has chosen six debutants, Dylan Edwards, Joseph Sua’ali’i, Zac Lomax, Cameron McInnes, Spencer Leniu and Haumole Olakau’atu.
The Blues have struggled to find the right mix to challenge Queensland in recent years, losing 2-1 in each of the last two years.
Rather than choosing to stick with the current squad, Maguire is pinning his future in the role on a new breed of players.
At the other end of the scale, Luke Keary has been put on standby for Hynes if the Cronulla halfback loses his fitness race with a calf complaint.
Keary, who intends to retire at season’s end, last played for the Blues in 2020.
6.25pm – Another debutant gets his chance
Zac Lomax has been among the more intriguing NRL stories this year, starring for the Dragons while pushing for a move elsewhere.
The St George-Illawarra junior was reportedly unhappy to be playing on the wing for the Red V, rather than his preferred position in the centres.
The 24-year-old ultimately got his wish, with the Eels announcing last month Lomax will be joining them on a four-year deal commencing in 2025.
His year just got even better with the news he has won selection, on a swing, for the Blues.
6.05pm – Hynes makes the cut
The scan Nicho Hynes required on his troublesome calf injury was fast-tracked to Sunday and he has been cleared, according to various reports.
That means the 27-year-old has received the nod to return to Origin after his first appearance resulted in a miserable 12-minute cameo and subsequent dumping after Game 1 last year.
That leaves Hynes and Jarome Luai firming as the halves partnership when the Blues take on Queensland in the series opener in Sydney.
5.50pm – One of the Blues’ best culled
James Tedesco is one of the most decorated NSW players ever, but his state career could be over after he was overlooked in favour of Penrith’s Dylan Edwards.
Tedesco, 31, who has played 22 matches for the Blues and held the captaincy since mid-2020, starred in the Roosters’ 44-16 thrashing of Canberra on Saturday.
It wasn’t enough, however, with Maguire making a huge shake-up in his first squad as coach.
Elsewhere, North Queensland hooker Reece Robson is poised to get the nod ahead of Wests Tigers skipper Api Koroisau for the No. 9 role.
Sharks forward Cameron McInnes has also been picked to make his Origin debut for NSW, according to The Daily Telegraph.
5.25pm – Rabbitohs still in the mix
With the Rabbitohs stuck at the foot of the NRL ladder, a number of fans have questioned the merits of some of their star men making the NSW squad.
Maguire’s dearth of options, however, means South Sydney still has some players firmly in the mix.
The 34-year-old Cody Walker, who played Game 3 for the Blues last year, had been in contention at five-eighth before a calf injury seemingly curtailed his hopes.
With incumbent lock Cameron Munster (hip) also sidelined, Latrell Mitchell is the next Bunny pushing for a spot.
Having originally ruled himself out, Mitchell backflipped on that call this week and stated he was available if selected.
His first hurdle was beating a hip drop tackle charge from Saturday night’s win over Parramatta and while he was sanctioned by the NRL, he can escape with a $3000 fine with an early plea, meaning his hopes are again alive.
But NRL journalist Michael Chammas of the SMH believes he will fall short.
“I’m hearing Latrell Mitchell won’t be picked for game one,” he said.
“He came in at long odds and the NSW selectors have put a line through his name as a centre option.”
4:45pm – New skipper set to lead the line
In news that does little to help Tedesco’s cause, Manly prop Jake Trbojevic is rumoured to be set for the captain’s armband for Game 1.
Tedesco has held down the NSW captaincy since midway through the 2020 series, when he replaced Boyd Cordner, who stood himself down after the latest in a series of head knocks that ultimately ended his career the following year.
Trbojevic has played 16 Origin matches for the Blues from 2017 through last year.
4.15pm – Joey Johns stokes the rumour mill
Johns spoke about the NSW team earlier on Channel 9’s Sunday Footy Show, stating his belief the Tedesco decision had been made.
The rugby league Immortal said while he would select Tedesco because of his experience in a NSW team expected to look very different from the one that fell short in Brad Fittler’s final series in charge in 2023, he understood 28-year-old Edwards would finally get the nod to make his debut in Sky Blue.
“He’d do a great job, Dylan Edwards, without doubt,” Johns said. “But I’m just worried there’s a lot of players in key positions, who haven’t played together who are also debuting. It’s an interesting one.
“It’s a big decision. There’s some big calls coming up tonight.”
3:45pm – All-important halves spots up for grabs
With Hynes under a major cloud, unable to get through 80 minutes in Cronulla’s heavy loss to Penrith on Saturday night, the battle is on for the starting halves spots for NSW.
Jarome Luai, who was outstanding in Penrith’s big win at Shark Park, is now tipped to take the No. 7 jersey.
Johns made the surprising call that Luke Keary should be the man to partner Luai, if Hynes and Rabbitoh Cody Walker aren’t fit to play.
Keary hasn’t played Origin since 2020 and announced earlier this year he will retire at the end of the 2024 season.
Johns said the fact Luai, Walker and Matt Burton all play on the left side of the field for their clubs means Keary is the best option to play on the right.
“I’m sure they’d have no problem, but it’d be a bit unfamiliar for them,” Johns said of Burton or Walker switching sides.
“Once again, Luke Keary probably comes into real contention. Keary can play No. 7. He won a Clive Churchill (medal) for doing it in the grand final.”
3pm – Hynes firmly under the pump
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon told reporters after the 42-0 hammering against the Panthers on Saturday night Hynes was “not too bad” and had been managing a calf injury, which “happened a few weeks ago”.
“With the 15 minute time off it cooled down and tightened up, but I think he’s OK,” the coach said.
“I just got the message that with cooling down, it tightened up … even if he got through he’d still have to be modified (for Origin training).
“But it was more to do with cooling down and tightening up than anything.”
With Maguire stating earlier this week he wanted a clean training schedule with his squad, Hynes is facing a huge battle to get back into the Blues side following his ill-fated 12-minute cameo off the bench for last year’s Game 1.
Originally published as NSW Origin team: Michael Maguire names Jake Trbojevic captain in new-look squad
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