State of Origin 2023: Api Koroisau, Hudson Young, Tevita Pangai among shocks for Blues
The NSW Blues’ squad for the State of Origin opener is loaded with surprises, but veteran forward Jake Trbojevic is a notable absentee.
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Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau has won the battle for the prized NSW hooking spot over South Sydney’s Damien Cook in a shock selection call by coach Brad Fittler.
It comes as NSW selectors were forced to make another stunning call by bringing in Canterbury’s Tevita Pangai Jr after Manly’s Jake Trbojevic withdrew with a calf injury on Sunday night.
Media camped out outside of the Blues’ base at the Crown Plaza in Coogee waiting for the arrival of the state’s best players were expecting to see NSW regular Cook but instead Koroisau lobbed at 6.40pm.
“It is exciting, it really is but we’ll wait and see what happens when we get in there,” Koroisau said.
It was believed Cook had his nose in front going into the weekend but Koroisau’s performance in the Tigers’ big win over North Queensland was enough for him to retain his spot in the NSW side.
His selection means NSW coach Brad Fittler will end his two dummy half policy used in the final two matches last season.
When asked about Cook’s omission, Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray told reporters that it was the first he was hearing of the surprise decision.
“Yeah, look I don’t know too much. I got the call to come in and that’s all I know,” a tight-lipped Murray said.
South Sydney centre Campbell Graham has missed out on a starting spot after Tom Trbojevic’s masterclass against Canberra on Sunday but the Rabbitohs star will be part of the squad as 18th man.
The NSW Blues are poised to drop a bombshell with Bulldogs enforcer Pangai Jr set to make his Origin debut following the shock withdrawal of Jake Trbojevic.
Trbojevic has ruled himself out of Origin selection with a recurrence of a calf injury. Fittler was sweating on Trbojevic overcoming the injury that had cost him two matches prior to Sunday’s victory over the Raiders.
Despite Trbojevic returning to play against Canberra, he pulled up with soreness that he believes would hinder his Origin preparation.
Pangai Jr is a stunning selection by the Blues who believe his go-forward can ruffle the Maroons pack.
Cronulla star and reigning Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes was all smiles when he arrived at Coogee listening to country music on the ride from the Shire.
“I’ve got some country music playing here,” Hynes said.
“I’m very excited. I feel pumped to be here. I just can’t wait to get in camp and get some training with the boys, and interact with them and be part of the 17.”
Hynes, who has enjoyed 18 months of top-shelf football, will come off the bench in the No. 14 role.
“That’s awesome. He’s been playing really well this year so it’s no surprise,” Koroisau said when told Hynes had made Fittler’s 17.
Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai, the man who beat Hynes to the No. 6 jumper, carpooled to the eastern suburbs with teammate and halfback Nathan Cleary, arriving just before 7pm on Sunday night.
Forward Tyson Frizell only had a few, but defiant, words for journalists when he arrived in Coogee after the two hour drive from Newcastle.
“Nah, you never give up the dream but like I said, I’m pretty stoked to be back,” Frizell said.
Frizell’s form for the Knights earned him a re-call for the first time since 2020.
Frizell played 14-straight games for the Blues before an ankle injury cruelled him of selection for the 2021 series.
Canberra’s Hudson Young is expected to make his Blues debut from the bench.
Like Frizell, Canterbury’s Josh Addo-Carr earned a reprieve after he was controversially left out of last year’s series.
Addo-Carr did enough to impress Fittler against Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon, scoring a try in his first game back after a six-week absence through an ankle syndesmosis surgery.
Asked about Hynes’ selection, Fittler told Channel Nine: “He’s been one of the best players in the competition. The way they play is so entertaining.
“Sometimes you just sit there and marvel at what they’re doing, how they’re moving the ball. He’s at the middle of everything they do. He’s in great form.”
NSW will enter a 10-day camp in Coogee before Origin I in Adelaide on May 31.
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