Andrew Johns’ shock snub in his NSW State of Origin team

Andrew Johns has make a stunning call in his proposed NSW State of Origin side, leaving out a player many believe is a certain starter.

Matthew Sullivan

3 min read

May 17, 2025 - 11:21AM

NRL

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Andrew Johns has left a player considered to be a walk-up lock for NSW’s State of Origin team out of his proposed Blues line-up for the series opener.

NSW and Queensland are set to name their squads for Game 1 over the weekend and the rugby league world has been abuzz with hypothetical 1-17 line-ups throughout the week.

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Johns shared his suggested NSW team for the series opener on May 28, but there was one glaring omission — he’s left Stephen Crichton out, opting for Tom Trbojevic in the centres instead.

“Tom Trbojevic is selfless enough to have a man-to-man conversation with Laurie Daley about his fitness,” Johns said in the SMH.

“He comes with an asterisk against his name because if he’s underdone, Stephen Crichton comes in at right centre with Latrell Mitchell on the left.

“Mitchell Moses is my five-eighth because he will unlock that left edge combo with Angus Crichton that was so dominant at the MCG last year.”

Joey Johns' shock snub in NSW Origin team

Leaving Crichton out of NSW’s side would be a stunning move for coach Laurie Daley given the Bulldogs star had been spoken about as a leading candidate to replace Jake Trbojevic as Bues captain.

Crichton is one of the NRL’s best players and has a history of rising to the occasion in big games, scoring tries in all four of his grand final appearances with Penrith.

The 24-year-old has led the Bulldogs to the top of the NRL ladder, where the Bulldogs have cemented their spot after a tight 24-20 win over the Roosters on Friday night.

Trbojevic has been well below his best for Manly this season as the Sea Eagles fullback continues to manage ongoing injury concerns.

But such is his potential, experts are desperate to find a way to fit Trbojevic into NSW’s side, either on the wing, centre, or the No. 14 utility spot.

Andrew Johns has opted for Tom Trbojevic over Stephen Crichton in his NSW side.

But Trbojevic might end up being one of the hard luck selection stories after Zac Lomax pressed his case to keep his spot on the wing with a strong performance in Parramatta’s win over Newcastle on Friday.

Daley is reportedly hesistant to pick both Lomax and Brian To’o given the wingers have had injury interrupted starts to the season.

Six Fox League experts have all included Crichton in their starting NSW teams, with Michael Ennis putting Crichton on the wing to squeeze Trbojevic into the centres.

Latrell Mitchell’s man of the match performance against the Broncos last week removed any doubt the Rabbitohs star would be overlooked for the Blues.

It comes after Terrell May confirmed the rumour he is set to be snubbed by NSW on despite his stellar form for the Wests Tigers. Twitch - a live streaming platform and social network.

Breaking the news of his NSW Blues omission to his mates and the general public, the Tigers enforcer instructed his friend to throw the Blues jersey he bought for him in the bin as he confirmed the rumour he is set to miss out.

“You know that Blues jersey I bought you? Chuck it in the bin,” May said on his Twitch stream on Thursday night.