State of Origin Game 1 Late Mail: Injury news, team changes for NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons

Brad Fittler has dismissed speculation he will make last minute changes to his forward pack, declaring Blues debutant Tevita Pangai Jr a certain starter for NSW.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: (L-R) Payne Haas, Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o of the Blues line up for the national anthem during game one of the 2022 State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at Accor Stadium on June 08, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

From working at a garden nursery for $23 an hour to starting in the front row for NSW in the biggest game of the year.

Tevita Pangai Jr, the Blues’ most stunning selection, will cap a remarkable comeback story by running into the teeth of Queensland from the opening whistle.

With experienced Blues forwards Junior Paulo and Cameron Murray named on the bench, there has been speculation NSW coach Brad Fittler may spring late changes before Wednesday night’s State of Origin series opener in Adelaide.

However, clear, direct and not interested in mind games, Fittler has declared Pangai Jr will start for the Blues.

“He’ll start the game, he’s our front-rower, so I’ll just tell him to go hard,’’ Fittler said matter-of-factly.

“(He’ll be told to) keep it simple.’’

Tevita Pangai Jr will run head on into Origin I. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Fittler’s admission raises the salivating prospect of the 107kg front-rower taking the first explosive hit-up of the match.

The blueprint for the Blues is obvious. After being out-muscled by Queensland throughout last year’s series, the addition of Pangai Jr and Hudson Young has set the tone for a spicy encounter.

“The team Freddy (Brad Fittler) has picked, it’s a lot of fire,” Pangai Jr said. “His intentions are clear. We will see what we can do on Wednesday.”

Champion NSW fullback Anthony Minichiello said he had no doubt that the Blues were basing a winning performance on Pangai Jr and his fellow forwards dominating the Queensland pack.

Brad Fittler has dismissed speculation he will make last minute changes to his forward pack. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

“I reckon the Blues are going to start really aggressively, they’ve got Pangai Jr, they’ve got (Tyson) Frizell who has a bit of experience, Hudson Young who is a bit of an old school scrapper, and then they bring on the fast feet with (Cameron) Murray and our bench, so I reckon we’re going to play through the middle,’’ Minichiello said.

“I think we’re going to knock down the front door.’’

Pangai Jr, believes he is “not really liked” by the public.

At his best he is among the most damaging forwards in the game but he has struggled for consistency and controlling his emotions.

“I know I am really controversial and not really liked,” Pangai Jr said. “It is what it is. As long as my family love me I don’t really care.

“I speak the truth.”

HYNES’ SUPER-SUB ROLE REVEALED

—David Riccio

He announced himself in the NRL as a Melbourne Storm super sub.

A Dally M winner last year, he’s shown he can change a game from anywhere on the field.

Now meet Nicho Hynes, the hooker.

Blues coach Brad Fittler has come clean on how he intends to bring one of the game’s biggest stars into the action on Wednesday night.

Named in jersey No.17 on the Blues bench, Hynes’ State of Origin debut is set to include a stint at dummy-half.

“He’ll get a crack at hooker at some stage in the game and he also played for Melbourne in the middle (of the field),’’ Fittler said.

“He’s played in the halves, centres, fullback as well, so he covers a lot of positions.’’

Brad Fittler says the Blues plan to give Nicho Hynes a stint at hooker and in the middle of the field.. Picture: Richard Dobson.

Fittler’s decision to select only one recognised hooker in Api Koroisau and in-turn, overlook Damien Cook for a bench spot, will lead the Blues down the path of using Hynes to fill the void at the ruck should the Wests Tigers star need a rest during the series opener.

Interestingly, in his most recent appearance for NSW in Origin III last year, Koroisau started at hooker before being replaced after 53 minutes.

Cook was given the remaining 27 minutes by Fittler.

Five-eighth Jarome Luai or lock Cameron Murray could also play dummy-half for a stint if required by Fittler.

The Blues one-hooker-only model is in contrast to Queensland who will start with Ben Hunt at dummy-half before he’s replaced by Test star Harry Grant from the interchange bench.

Queensland coach Billy Slater played down the prospect of exploiting the Blues ruck area when Hynes, or a teammate, is required to give Koroisau a breather.

“There’s more than one way to skin a cat in our game,’’ Slater said.

“If that’s what works for NSW, it may not work for us and vice versa.

Hynes has experience playing anywhere in the backline, as well as playing in the middle of the field from his time in Melbourne. Picture: Richard Dobson.

“You’ve got to work on what suits your team and it’s important for us to get our game.’’

Hynes’ last appearance in a position other than one game at fullback last year and halfback, where he steers the Cronulla Sharks, was in the 2021 preliminary final for Melbourne against Penrith.

Also wearing jersey No.17 that day, Hynes played as a ball-playing lock for 25 minutes from the interchange bench.

SHOCK MAN-OF-THE-MATCH FAVOURITE REVEALED

—David Riccio

The TAB are refusing to make Queensland favourites despite the major upheaval that has engulfed NSW ahead of Origin I.

The loss of star centre Latrell Mitchell just 48-hours before Wednesday night’s State of Origin series opener, plus an ankle injury to Payne Haas and tooth infection for halfback Nathan Cleary has proven far from ideal for the Blues.

Meanwhile, the Maroons have enjoyed a trouble-free build-up.

However, the TAB have maintained NSW are $1.85 favourites with Queensland $2.05 outsiders.

Payne Haas and the Blues remain favourites for the State of Origin series opener despite a disrupted preparation. Picture: Getty Images

The Blues have eased only slightly on the back of replacing Mitchell with Stephen Crichton in the centres, having originally been priced at $1.60.

Even more surprising is the TAB market for man of the match.

Haas, who has been forced to overcome a sprained ankle to play, is holding the most amount of bets (27 per cent) for man of the match behind Cleary (23 per cent).

The next best backed is Maroons ace Cameron Munster with 9 per cent of the outlay.

Originally published as State of Origin Game 1 Late Mail: Injury news, team changes for NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons