Record 11 debutants in NSW coach Brad Fittler’s new Blues era
A LEAKED copy of Brad Fittler’s NSW Blues team reveals the biggest shakeup in State of Origin history, including a shock demotion.
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BLUES coach Brad Fittler has omitted Kangaroos forward Jake Trbojevic from the New South Wales Blues starting line-up in a team that will include a record 11 debutants for the opening State of Origin game.
The Daily Telegraph has obtained a leaked copy of the new-look team which reveals the biggest shake-up in Origin history, and the surprise selection of St George Illawarra forward Jack De Belin at lock, ahead of Trbojevic.
The only six players to survive from last year’s series loss are fullback James Tedesco, five-eighth James Maloney, prop Dave Klemmer, skipper Boyd Cordner, edge forward Tyson Frizell and Trbojevic.
Making their debuts alongside De Belin will be Tom Trbojevic, Josh Addo-Carr, James Roberts, Latrell Mitchell, Nathan Cleary, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Damien Cook, Tyrone Peachey, Paul Vaughan and Angus Crichton.
Fittler settled on the 17-man squad on Sunday night after also considering Gold Coast forward Ryan James, Canberra winger Nick Cotric and Sydney Roosters playmaker Luke Keary.
The team will officially be announced at 6.40pm Monday at The Star.
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The Blues take on Queensland at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday week, desperate to end the Maroons’ decade-long domination.
South Sydney duo Crichton and Cook have reaped the rewards of the Rabbitohs’ 2018 form by being catapulted into the NSW side.
This is the future according to Freddy.
After a sluggish start to the season, Crichton has roared back to form and has won a spot on the bench for the June 6 match.
And his Rabbitohs teammate Cook has edged out St George Illawarra rival Cameron McInnes for the NSW hooking position.
Fittler will name just one specialist hooker after The Daily Telegraph revealed last week Peachey had won the interchange utility role.
Cook has been in stunning form this season in a rampant South Sydney side surging up the NRL competition ladder.
Sydney Roosters star Tedesco has retained the fullback spot ahead of Tom Trbojevic, who was named on the wing ahead of Cotric.
Tedesco’s form has been solid but he hasn’t done anything to warrant being dumped.
The Blues will go for all-out attack in the centres with the Roosters’ Mitchell and Brisbane speedster Roberts, providing he can pass a medical on Monday on an injured Achilles.
Melbourne flyer Josh Addo-Carr will be the other winger — his form and speed have been scintillating.
Penrith duo Maloney and Cleary have edged out Keary as Fittler’s preferred halves combination.
But it’s NSW’s stacked back row that has provided the most intrigue.
Cordner, Frizell and De Belin will form a new starting back row.
Klemmer, despite the Bulldogs’ poor form, was included for his trademark fire and aggression.
Cleary said he was ready for Origin despite having returned only a fortnight ago from a knee injury which kept him out for seven weeks.
“It’s been a whirlwind type of week. It’s been hard to avoid — Origin seems to be everywhere,” Cleary told ABC Grandstand.
“I will just and wait and if I get the phone call I will be forever grateful.”
Former NSW halfback and Immortal Andrew Johns was excited.
“I think it’s a really exciting time for NSW. There is going to be some big changes and a lot of young players who will come in and hopefully be at that level for the next ten years,’ Johns told The Sunday Footy Show.
“It’s also exciting for Queensland. Their champion superstars have retired so there will be some new faces in there and a lot of young faces who will make big names for themselves.”
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