New South Wales State of Origin: Follow the latest squad and team news before Game 1

Matty Johns had two things in mind when picking his NSW State of Origin team. Find out who made the cut and who missed out.

Cody Walker is another State of Origin lock. Picture: Getty Images

In picking my State of Origin team I’ve put together a squad built on two things.

1. A team that will complement the creativity and speed of the six and seven, and not just work hard for them.

2. A side who will be suited to what I’m predicting will be a chaotic last 30 minutes, where fatigue through the new rule adjustments will have the middle defence out on their feet. So picking some lighter bench players who can manage the madness defensively, as well as take advantage of it in possession.

JAMES TEDESCO FULLBACK

No need to waste too much ink here. His threat through the middle and his intelligence in working with playmakers, as well as chipping in with some ball playing himself, makes him one of the cornerstones of the campaign.

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James Tedesco is a State of Origin lock. Picture: Getty Images

JOSH ADDO-CARR LEFT WING

He’s become one of the most prolific try scorers in the history of the game, if a defender misses him he’s most probably gone all the way. But also a smart defender who can stop a threat with a good read or turn and chase down an opposition break.

BRIAN TO’O RIGHT WING

Plays left at Penrith, but doesn’t appear to have a left bias. Best yardage man in Rugby League at the moment. His relentless workrate will ease the load off the big middle forwards and his quality metreage helps NSW get Nathan Cleary into attacking kick positions more often.

LATRELL MITCHELL LEFT CENTRE

Latrell’s combination with Josh Addo-Carr could be a series definer.

I’ve never seen Latrell fitter, and his power and ability to left hand flick to his wingman will produce an enormous amount of opportunities for Josh.

TOM TRBOJEVIC RIGHT CENTRE

My initial temptation was to select Tom on the wing, as to bring him into kick returns, but right centre will provide him greater scope to drift inward and threaten the opposition middle with speed and forming combinations off playmakers.

JAROME LUAI & NATHAN CLEARY HALVES

You pick the team which complements your most important player and that’s Nathan Cleary.

Jerome and Nathan are the best combination in Rugby League, who know each other’s game so well they barely need verbal communication.

For a rep coach who has this type of established combination, it’s a mistake to tell them what the style of play is going to be. You let them dictate the style and the week leading in, the rest of the team learn the system. Nathan and Jerome are on the same page in everything they are looking to do and what they are doing is producing some of the best attacking football I have ever seen.

I cannot fathom why you even consider picking anyone but Jerome Luai to play alongside Nathan Cleary.

Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary in action for Penrith. Picture: NRL Photos

JAKE TRBOJEVIC (MIDDLE 13)

Initially I went with Isiah Yeo, with Jake on the bench, but as the game loosens, Yeo coming onto the field will really give the Blues a big lift.

The other big reason is what Jake brings as far as emotion and leadership. You put Jake on the bench, emotionally he’s a real chance of burning himself out while sitting there waiting to get on.

TARIQ SIMS LEFT BACK ROW

I’d have Tyson Frizell ahead of Tariq but Tyson is a right-side specialist, so Tariq gets the nod, with some thought to Tevita Pangai.

On the left, Nathan Cleary and Jerome Luai need a strong backrower who runs a hard straight line for their, “into the defence line” creativity, and Tariq will do that, as well as provide some aggression.

LIAM MARTIN RIGHT BACK ROW

Great young player who I believe can be one of those surprise selections who, by series end establish themselves as a Blues mainstay.

But vitally, works brilliantly with Nathan Cleary, on what is Nathan’s most favoured side of the field.

A playmaker’s edge back-rower is as important as his halves partner in terms of understanding.

PAYNE HAAS (injury pending) & JUNIOR PAULO FRONT ROW

This front-row combination has the potential to be one of the Blues’ greatest.

Payne Haas (injury aside) cannot be stopped, only limited. If I was a playmaker on the open market I’d be driving myself to Brisbane and walking into Broncos HQ and refusing to leave until a deal is struck, simply based on the space and time Payne will provide on the back of his charges.

If I was Brad Fittler I’d be telling Payne, ‘At most I only need 25 minutes from you each half, so don’t preserve energy, you’re not playing eighty.’

Junior Paulo can do it all, they tell me he’s the best ballplayer at Parra. Great size, speed, skill and intelligence.

He can play eighty, but like Haas you don’t want him to, just let him go for it in 20-25 minute stints.

If Haas can’t recover from his MCL injury in time for game one, Daniel Saifiti could slot in here.

DAMIEN COOK HOOKER

There’s a serious temptation to select Api Koroisau, given his understanding with Jerome and Nathan, but Cook deserves the 9 jersey for Game I.

If this Blues pack starts rolling through Queensland, you’ll see the best of him. If that’s the case, he’ll be the most dangerous player on the field in the last 20 minutes.

BENCH

14: CODY WALKER

This will surprise, but if the game loosens late like I suspect it will, Cody will be a matchwinner. He can cover 7, 6, 9 or 1, but if the opposition’s middle defence fatigues late, throw him on at 13 and just let him run riot. His combination with Cook is one of the game’s most deadly in a fast tempo.

Cody Walker is another State of Origin lock. Picture: Getty Images

15: ISAAH YEO

Bring him on after 25 minutes and play him through the middle field. Capable of playing on an edge, but has really found his niche playing in the middle, where he dictates how and when he gets the football, and what he does with it. Yeo replaces one of the front-rowers, with he and Jake providing plenty of creativity to go forward.

16: DALE FINUCANE

Really simple reasons why you pick Dale. He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s a leader and when he’s tired the quality of his work doesn’t lower.

17: TYSON FRIZELL

Can play edge or middle. His experience is invaluable and his defensive mobility will be crucial at the back end of the contest.

DANIEL SAIFITI 18th MAN

Really difficult to leave Daniel out of the top 17, but NSW in this campaign look to have an overabundance of middle forwards.