Will new Blues centres prove NSW’s downfall? Laurie Daley analysis Mitchell, Roberts combo

PLENTY of speed and a huge helping of strike power but it is their defensive frailties QLD will look to expose in the Origin opener, according to former Blues coach Laurie Daley.

Will the defensive weaknesses of NSW's two new centres prove the state's downfall?

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THEY will be the centres of attention.

NSW pair Latrell Mitchell and James Roberts have strike power but will they be exposed defensively?

That’s the key question coming from the Blues camp after our team was announced for State of Origin I in Melbourne tomorrow week.

I like the look of this NSW side. It has speed, size, aggression and will go all out in attack.

There is little doubt the Blues have plenty of points in them.

It will really come down to whether we can stop Queensland defensively and the biggest question marks hover over centres Mitchell and Roberts.

Will the defensive weaknesses of NSW's two new centres prove the state's downfall?

They have shown in recent weeks what they can do with the ball in hand but can they balance that defensively?

No doubt Queensland will target the pair.

A quick check with Fox Sports Stats shows Mitchell has missed 17 tackles this season and Roberts 14. They are vulnerable.

The issue will be whether they make the right decisions in defence when they have numbers thrown at them.

I have full faith in them but Maroons coach Kev Walters will know Mitchell and Roberts have defensive issues.

There’s no doubt Latrell Mitchell can score tries but can he keep the Queensland attackers at bay? Picture: Brett Costello

I applaud the decision to pick South Sydney hooker Damien Cook. He is electric out of dummy, his speed is blinding.

Given how effective he is with the ball, I am sure Queensland will run plenty of traffic at Cook to get his tackle count up.

NSW need to be gritty in defence. That’s what Origin is built on; playing for your mate and scrambling when you are exhausted.

The question mark over Queensland is their forwards.

They don’t have a lot of size in the middle and I wonder whether their go-forward will come from.

James Roberts AKA Jimmy the Jet, has earned a NSW Blues debut but needs to shore up his defence to stay there.

They will lose a lot of grunt in omitting veteran Matt Scott.

I can’t help but think Cook’s explosive pace was a factor in Queensland overlooking Scott.

Cook’s footwork would have caught out a tiring Scott.

I like James Tedesco at fullback for NSW.

I think he will pop up throughout the match in support when Cook goes for a dart around the ruck.

Those two could be very dangerous for Queensland.

While I’m not involved anymore, I still love State of Origin.

It is without doubt the biggest and most-anticipated contest in Australian sport.

And I get the feeling the tide is turning.

The guts of the Queensland side that has been so dominant for so long has departed.

There is no Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston, Darius Boyd or Scott.

This is a new era for Queensland. Let’s see if they can handle life — and the expectation — without these superstars.

NSW have a fresh team for a fresh era. Everything feels good.

The time is right for NSW.