State of Origin 2021: Phil Rothfield reveals his NSW Blues team

It may be a little under two months to the opening Origin match of 2021 but NSW coach Brad Fittler should already be bracing to make some uncomfortable calls.

Jarome Luai (R) and Nathan Cleary have formed a lethal combo (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Some things never change in rugby league.

Every great football side has a champion lock forward, halfback and five-eighth.

You go back to the Parramatta Eels and their four premierships in the 80s — Ray Price, Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny.

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You go back to the Canberra Raiders’ Green Machine dominance a decade later — Bradley Clyde, Ricky Stuart and Laurie Daley.

And now it’s the Penrith Panthers with Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.

Jarome Luai (R) and Nathan Cleary have formed a lethal combo (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

This combination should be first chosen in the NSW State of Origin side when Freddie Fittler and Brandy Alexander sit down in six weeks to name their Blues outfit.

It might be a bit harsh on Cody Walker, who probably deserves another crack at five-eighth.

The same with Jake Trbojevic who has done such a great job at lock for NSW and Australia.

But it’s the way to go.

With a limited Origin preparation, club combinations are a must.

This so-called “worst Queensland team in 40 years” is going to be hard to beat when the series kicks off at the MCG on June 9.

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The Panthers should have a fourth player in the Blues team in winger and pocket powerhouse Brian To’o, born and bred in St Marys, although keen to play for Samoa.

To’o has been the number two winger in the NRL this year behind Roosters veteran Brett Morris.

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BUZZ’S BLUES

1 James Tedesco

2 Josh Addo-Carr

3 Latrell Mitchell

4 Jack Wighton

5 Brian To’o

6 Jarome Luai

7 Nathan Cleary

Penrith Panthers deserve a strong representation in the NSW Origin squad. Picture: Brett Costello

8 Daniel Saifiti

9 Damien Cook

10 Junior Paulo

11 Angus Crichton

12 Cameron Murray

13 Isaah Yeo

Reserves

14 Ryan Papenhuyzen

15 Tariq Sims

16 Nathan Brown

17 Reagan Campbell Gillard

Missing out: Clint Gutherson, Cody Walker, Jake Trbojevic, Luke Keary, Stephen Crichton, Payne Haas, Tyson Frizell, Boyd Cordner, Daniel Tupou

Originally published as State of Origin 2021: Phil Rothfield reveals his NSW Blues team