State of Origin NSW Blues team named: James Tedesco axed, six debutants named

Blues coach Michael Maguire has sensationally dumped former fullback and captain James Tedesco and brought in six debutants – will the fresh start pay off? See the full squad and reaction inside.

Michael Maguire has named six debutants for NSW.

Roosters star James Tedesco has been sensationally dumped as NSW fullback and captain with Penrith’s Dylan Edwards finally bulldozing his way into the Blues side.

Tedesco’s demotion ends an eight-year, 22-game NSW career.

The shock axing of Tedesco comes as NSW coach Michael Maguire announced a 20-man squad for State of Origin I in Sydney on Wednesday week.

“We were all hoping he (Tedesco) would be named so it’s disappointing,” said Roosters chairman Nick Politis.

Edwards’ inclusion is part of a five-prong Panthers attack with Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin also securing selection.

“Dylan’s form has been undeniable,” said Panthers great Greg Alexander. “He has been incredible. You can’t deny the form he has shown.

“I thought Dylan might have missed the boat in trying to oust ‘Teddy’ but the fact he’s there is reward for what he’s done over the last four years. It must have been very close because ‘Teddy’ has been in good form too.”

Nicho Hynes is fit for the opener. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Told his club had provided five NSW players, Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher said: “You can’t win a comp without having State of Origin players, can you?”

Jake Trbojevic’s appointment as NSW’s new skipper was left-field given he isn’t a club captain. Ironically, his opposing skipper will be Sea Eagles’ teammate Daly Cherry-Evans.

Trbojevic, a middle, is unlikely to play the entire 80 minutes.

“Jake has been one of our best players for the past three weeks,” said Manly CEO Tony Mestrov.

In another surprise, Wests Tigers’ Api Koroisau missed selection with Maguire opting for North Queensland’s Reece Robson.

Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes was named at halfback with Luai at five-eighth.

Maguire named six debutants – Edwards, Joseph Suaalii, Cameron McInnes, Zac Lomax, Haumole Olakau’atu and Spencer Leniu.

“There has been a lot of talk this year about Zac being on the wing but every week he has gone out and done his job,” said Dragons coach Shane Flanagan. “He has done a really well in keeping all that separate. He’s been focused.”

McInnes will start at 13 with Yeo coming off the bench. The squad includes three emergency players – Matt Burton, Luke Keary and Mitch Barnett.

“If Keary does get an opportunity, he will do a great job,” said former NSW forward Bryan Fletcher.

Lomax’s selection on the wing is stunning given the headlines he attracted earlier this season by signing with Parramatta from 2025.

The team was released amid a turbulent week for NSW with Hynes failing to play the second half of Cronulla’s heavy loss to Penrith on Saturday through calf tightness.

Hynes endured a difficult opening half against Penrith, twice kicking out on the full before being sent for an HIA test he passed. He had scans on Sunday afternoon.

NSW will be cautious about Hynes’ workload this week and just how many sessions he can complete before kick-off.

“But it’s certainly an opportunity he deserves,” said Fox League’s Matthew Johns.

Keary will be on standby for Hynes. Incumbent NSW five-eighth Cody Walker missed South Sydney’s game against Parramatta through a calf injury and wasn’t selected.

Martin underwent scans on an injured hamstring but was cleared on Sunday afternoon.

South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell was considered but overlooked despite being charged with dangerous contact (grade one) by the NRL match review committee.

Zac Lomax will make his Blues debut. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Mitchell was sin-binned for a hip drop on Parramatta’s Sean Russell but will escape suspension by pleading guilty and paying a $3000 fine.

Maguire personally phoned every player who made the side and several fringe players who missed out. Blues manager Frank Ponissi contacted clubs to reveal which players had been chosen.

The emergency players will be permitted to leave camp later this week to play for their NRL sides next weekend.

NSW will move into camp at the Blue Mountains early this week to prepare for the Accor Stadium series opener.

The Blues were unable to consider Nathan Cleary, Bradman Best, Cam Murray, Adam Reynolds, Kotoni Staggs, Tom Trbojevic and Mitch Moses through injury.

TAB bookmakers have Queensland $1.85 favourites to win game one with NSW the $1.95 outsiders. Maroons star Reece Walsh is $6 favourite to be named man-of-the-match ahead of Cherry-Evans ($7.50).

Queensland will formally name its side on Monday morning.

Short shots: 2024 NSW Blues squad

NSW players are being tapped on the shoulder as Michael Maguire calls them to confirm their place in the squad.

• Dylan Edwards heads a five-strong contingent of players from premier Penrith who have been named in the NSW squad for the opening game of the State of Origin series. Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o and Liam Martin have also been named in the squad for Origin I, the first to selected in the new Michael Maguire era. Edwards has been knocking on the door for more than 12 months and has now usurped James Tedesco as the Blues new No.1 while Luai has won a comeback in the halves after missing the final game of last year’s series. Martin underwent scans on Sunday on a hamstring problem but is expected to be clearer to play after being cleared of serious injury.

Dylan Edwards will play fullback for the Blues. Picture: NRL Photos

• Nicho Hynes has been included in the NSW State of Origin squad for game one. The Sharks playmaker received the call from head coach Michael Maguire on Sunday.

• Zac Lomax will make his debut on the wing for NSW

• Hamuole Olakau’atu will make his debut after being named in the squad. Olakau’atu joins Sea Eagles teammate Jake Trbojevic, who is on course to replace James Tedesco as skipper of the Blues in game one.

• Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton has also been picked.

• Inspirational Sharks forward Cameron McInnes has been chosen to make his State of Origin debut. The outstanding forward has been rewarded for his incredible work-ethic and ability to play as a middle forward and back-up hooker.

• Cowboys hooker Reece Robson has beaten Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau for the Blues No.9 jersey. Robson’s defensive mindset and form in last year’s series has propelled him into the prized dummy-half position for the Blues.

• Roosters veteran Luke Keary is part of the extended squad. He is on standby for Hynes.

• Roosters pair Spencer Leniu and Angus Crichton are also in the squad. Leniu will make his Origin debut.

• Hard-nosed Raiders forward Hudson Young has been included in the NSW State of Origin squad for game one. Young is renowned for his physicality and will add genuine starch to the Blues pack.

• Bulldogs’ superboot Matt Burton has been added to the extended bench.

• Warriors coach Andrew Webster has announced to the team that hardworking forward Mitchell Barnett has been included in the NSW squad. The Warriors players exploded with cheers upon hearing the news.

Reece Robson has beaten out Api Koroisau to wear the Blues’ No.9 jersey. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images