‘Blues bombshell’: Tevita Pangai Jr picked for Origin debut as Rabbitohs pair miss out

The Blues have revealed their squad for the State of Origin series opener, but South Sydney fans might want to look away.

Campbell Graham won’t make his State of Origin debut in the series opener after the Blues confirmed their squad for game one in Adelaide. Picture; Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

The Blues have named three debutants for the State of Origin series opener, but South Sydney’s Campbell Graham isn’t one of them with the star centre set to be 18th man for the game in Adelaide on May 31.

As has been the case in recent years, the squad was released in alphabetical order with a final 17 set to be confirmed in the coming days.

Nicho Hynes has capped off a stunning run of form to earn a State of Origin debut for the series opener in Adelaide.

Nicho Hynes has been rewarded for his incredible form over the past 15 months, with the reigning Dally M Medal winner likely to make his Blues debut off the bench. Panthers pair Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai are set to be the starting halves.

They are two of five Penrith players in the game one squad that will be skippered by Roosters fullback James Tedesco for the third year in a row.

There is one massive shock with Bulldogs enforcer Tevita Pangai Jr set to make his debut after Sea Eagles workhorse Jake Trbojevic ruled himself out due to a calf injury.

Tevita Pangai Jr is the bolter in the squad, with the wrecking ball set to be unleashed off the bench. Picture; Matt King/Getty Images

Pangai has played 50 minutes just once this year, but that was on Sunday when he ran for a season-high 213 metres in Canterbury’s comeback win over the Titans.

His aggression will be a major talking point heading into the game given he has a tendency to lose his cool, but it could also be an asset if he can control it and give the Blues a lift when he comes off the bench.

He’s set to be joined by another rookie, with Raiders back-rower Hudson Young rewarded for his efforts after narrowly missing a World Cup spot last year.

Damien Cook’s Origin career could be over after the veteran dummy-half was overlooked for the series opener. Picture: NRL Photos

Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook has been surprisingly omitted from the squad after playing 15 games in a row for his state, with Api Koroisau getting the nod having starred on the weekend in the Tigers’ record-breaking win over the Cowboys.

Koroisau is unlikely to play 80 minutes, which means Hynes could spend some time at dummy-half unless Brad Fittler chooses to play Cam Murray out of position.

And Josh Addo-Carr has won back his wing spot after he was sensationally overlooked for last year’s series.

The speedster has scored 10 tries in 12 games for NSW but didn’t feature in the 2022 campaign. He went to embarrass selectors by scoring 12 tries in five matches for Australia at the World Cup.

Addo-Carr made his return from an ankle injury on Sunday and scored a try against the Titans in his first game since Good Friday, doing enough to show selectors he was ready to trot.

It’s unclear which side of the field he’ll play on. He has a terrific relationship with Latrell Mitchell on the left, but he could easily line up on the right like he has in the past.

Tom Trbojevic silenced his critics with three tries against Canberra to prove he’s overcome the injuries that have plagued him in recent years. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

That means he’d play outside Tom Trbojevic, who roared back to form with a hat-trick on Sunday afternoon after a slow start to the year.

He looms as the wildcard for this series given he was allowed to roam across the field in 2021 when he won the Wally Lewis Medal and destroyed the Maroons on both edges of the field.

His inclusion means Graham misses out despite scoring 12 tries in the opening 12 rounds, more than any centre in the NRL.

Blues squad: Josh Addo-Carr, Nathan Cleary, Tyson Frizell, Payne Haas, Nicho Hynes, Api Koroisau, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Tevita Pangai Jr, Junior Paulo, James Tedesco, Brian To’o, Tom Trbojevic, Isaah Yeo, Hudson Young, Campbell Graham (18th man).

Originally published as ‘Blues bombshell’: Tevita Pangai Jr picked for Origin debut as Rabbitohs pair miss out