Debutants galore as NSW State of Origin game one team announced

NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler has made some big moves with his game one squad for the 2022 Origin series, swinging the axe on some big names.

It's believed four players are set to debut for NSW in game one. Photo: Getty Images

NSW coach Brad Fittler has not disappointed after promising some bolters as the Blues selected several surprises in a 22-man squad for game one of the 2022 State of Origin series.

The Blues dominated the 2021 series, claiming two crushing wins before Queensland saved face with an Origin three victory after first-choice Blues halves Nathan Cleary and Jerome Luai were injured.

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Earlier on Sunday, Fittler revealed there would be some surprises in the squad list for game one.

“When you get someone that’s surprised, a lot of the time there’s such a build-up to Origin that I think a lot of players know they might make it,” he said. “But you get a couple of really nice surprises — I had one today actually — it really gives you a bit of spirit, how much it means to players.

“It’s a really good thing that rugby league’s done for so long now. It’s always the players and the fans that drive it and getting those reactions is the best.”

And Fittler is a man of his word, bringing in some surprises and a whole host of debutants.

Fittler revealed he has some surprises. Photo: Channel 9

NSW Blues Squad for State of Origin Game 1

— Captain — James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters

— Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels)

— Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)

— Damian Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

— Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers)

— Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights)

— Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)

— Nicho Hynes (Cronula Sharks)

— Api Koroisau (Penrith Panthers)

— Jerome Luai (Penrith Panthers)

— Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)

— Ryan Matterson (Parramatta Eels)

— Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

— Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)

— Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)

— Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)

— Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)

— Joseph Suaalii (Sydney Roosters)

— Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)

— Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)

— Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders)

— Issah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)

The make up of the team is as yet unknown as Fittler has traditionally kept the final team quiet for as long as possible but SMH’s Michael Chammas believes the side will look like this.

EARLY NSW PREDICTION
1 Tedesco
2 To'o
3 Crichton
4 Staggs
5 Tupou
6 Luai
7 Cleary
8 Paulo
9 Cook
10 Haas
11 Sims
12 Murray
13 Yeo
14 Hynes
15 Frizell
16 Matterson
17 RCG
Squad: Wighton, Koroisau, Suaalii, Martin, Saifitihttps://t.co/Y9ndDDwNHN

— Michael Chammas (@MichaelChammas) May 29, 2022

Josh Addo-Carr has been dropped. Photo: NRL Photos

Jake Trbojevic has been left out. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Blues mainstays Josh Addo-Carr and Jake Trbojevic have been left out of the squad while the likes of Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic are out with long-term injuries.

There are up to six new faces including Stephen Crichton, Kotoni Staggs, Nicho Hynes, Ryan Matterson, Jacob Saifiti and Joseph Suaalii selected in the Blues squad.

And it’s expected that Crichton, Staggs, Hynes and Matterson are likely inclusions in the starting lineup.

At 18 years and 301 days old, Suaalii would be the fourth youngest Origin player in history behind Ben Ikin, Brad Fittler and Brett Dallas.

“He’s been well and truly in our discussions all along,” Fittler said on Sunday morning as per The Daily Telegraph.

“I’ve asked the people he plays with and the people he plays against. They are all just astounded about how hard he plays and trains and how dedicated he is.

“That’s the best information you can get from senior players. And he’s still learning. He’s just an athlete.

“Sometimes you’ve got to hold them back a bit and Robbo (Trent Robinson) has done a great job with that.”

Joseph Suaalii is set to make his first Origin squad. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The recall of Tupou is seen as important as Queensland are expected to select the 194cm Xavier Coates and 191cm Selwyn Cobbo, while Tupou is at 196cm and Brian To’o is 182cm tall.