Brad Fittler announces State of Origin selection bombshell

Brad Fittler has confirmed he is rolling the dice with the biggest gambles of his career in announcing the NSW team for the Origin series opener.

Matthew Sullivan

4 min read

May 22, 2023 - 1:12PM

Damien Cook and Api Koroisau.

NSW coach Brad Fittler has officially dropped a State of Origin selection bombshell with Jake Trbojevic’s withdrawal handing Bulldogs forward Tevita Pangai Jr his Origin debut.

Trbojevic returned from a calf injury in Manly’s win over the Raiders on Sunday, but he pulled up sore and decided to pull out of Origin camp because the injury would hamper his preparation for Game I.

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Trbojevic is a workhouse and a tackling machine, and will be sorely missed in the Blues forward pack.

Pangai Jr has been in solid form at best for the Bulldogs, so his inclusion is a legitimate bombshell.

The Blues will be hoping he can be an enforcer that gets under the skin of the Maroons pack.

Fittler’s 18-man squad was announced on Monday morning with Rabbitohs strike centre Campbell Graham sensationally quitting the Blues’ camp moments after he was named 18th man.

The NSWRL on Monday morning confirmed Graham has left the team’s Coogee headquarters, forcing selectors into a scramble.

The NSWRL said Graham informed Blues staff he would not be able to train this week because of a sternum injury he suffered during South Sydney’s surprise loss to the Eels.

Graham was able to play all 80 minutes of that match.

Tevita Pangai Junior is set to make his Origin debut. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Bunnies duo snubbed

Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau has won the race to be NSW’s hooker for State of Origin Game I in a shock call.

It had been thought South Sydney’s Damien Cook had done enough to get the No. 9 jersey, but Koroisau’s role in the Tigers’ recent resurgence has seen him reclaim his spot in the NSW side.

The inclusion of Nicho Hynes as the utility on the bench meant Blues coach Brad Fittler had to choose between Cook and Koroisau for a hooker that could be required to play 80 minutes — something Cook is more accustomed to doing than Koroisau.

Koroisau won two premierships with Penrith and his connection with a NSW team filled with Panthers stars may have been the difference.

Koroisau was seen arriving at Coogee’s CrownePlaza hotel on Sunday night, where the Blues will base themselves for a 10-day camp before Game I in Adelaide on May 31.

Damien Cook has been snubbed. Picture: NRL Photos

Api Koroisau has got the nod at hooker. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Knights forward Tyson Frizell was also seen arriving at the team base, confirming his recall to the side.

In another Rabbitohs snub, Campbell Graham is set to be overlooked at the centre position for Tom Trbojevic, who scored a hat-trick for the Sea Eagles on Sunday to seal his spot at the 11th hour.

The SMH reports Raiders forward Hudson Young is set to make his Origin debut along with Hynes.

Tommy Turbo’s perfect Origin audition

Tom Trbojevic has scored a hat-trick in Manly’s 42-14 win over the Canberra Raiders in an emphatic statement that he is ready to be picked for State of Origin.

Trbojevic has endured a horror run of various injuries this season but looked as good as he has all year in an impressive outing for the Sea Eagles in Canberra.

The Manly fullback used brute strength to barge over for his first try in the corner with a couple of Raiders defenders hanging off him.

It was the perfect reminder to NSW coach Brad Fittler — and the Roosters legend responded on Monday by picking Trbojevic ahead of Graham.

“He looks quick”, Matty Johns said of Trbojevic on Fox League.

Eels great Nathan Hindmarsh said on Fox League: “Tommy put the foot down when it came to contact – he’s back to his best.”

Tommy Turbo is ready for Origin. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Josh Addo-Carr scored a try in a solid performance in his return from an ankle injury in the Bulldogs’ win over the Titans.

Addo-Carr was surprisingly overlooked for last year’s Origin series and he was in real danger of missing out again when Stephen Crichton was also reportedly being considered for a wing position.

Will Josh Addo-Carr (left) earn an Origin recall? (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Hynes set for Origin debut

Meanwhile, Nicho Hynes’ dream 12 months has continued with selection in Brad Fittler’s NSW team for this month’s Origin 1.

Fittler called Hynes to give him the good news following the Sharks’ 26-6 victory over Newcastle on Saturday, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The 26-year-old halfback, whose starring role in his first season at Cronulla in 2022 resulted in a Dally M Medal, has twice been named in Blues squads without getting onto the field.

A utility capable of filling a number of backline roles, Hynes is expected to be named on the bench when the NSW team is announced on Sunday.

Penrith’s Jarome Luai, who avoided a suspension for his contact with official Chris Sutton, is tipped to retain his No.6 jersey alongside Panthers teammate Nathan Cleary.