Koroisau edges Cook; Hynes and Young to debut as Blues confirm Origin squad

The NSW Blues have confirmed Api Koroisau rather than Damien Cook will play in the hooking role in Brad Fittler’s biggest selection shock for the State of Origin series opener, after the coach gave serious thought to ending Jack de Belin’s representative exile.

On the same day he told Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes and Raiders forward Hudson Young they would make their Blues debuts, Fittler relied on Koroisau’s connection with his former Penrith teammates over in-form Rabbitohs No.9 Cook. NSW confirmed the squad for Origin I on Monday morning.

It signals an end to NSW’s two-hooker model used in the final two matches of last year’s series with Hynes poised to fill the utility role on the bench in one of the most experienced sides Fittler has fielded.

Tom Trbojevic burst back to form with three tries in Manly’s big win over the Raiders on Sunday, sewing up his centre spot. Brother Jake, however, withdrew on Sunday evening with Tevita Pangai jnr set to play in Adelaide.

Josh Addo-Carr is back in sky blue after ending a six-week injury lay-off with a syndesmosis problem to score an 11th-hour spot, with Fittler also going back to the future with Knights enforcer Tyson Frizell, who will play his first Origin game since 2020.

In what would have been his most contentious call for this year’s series opener, Fittler weighed up handing de Belin his first NSW cap since his only series in 2018. De Belin was one of 11 Blues debutants for the opening game of Fittler’s tenure.

Apisai Koroisau is back in blue after making his Origin debut in the 2022 series.Credit: Getty Images

The Dragons forward then spent more than two years out of the game under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy as he fought sexual assault charges stemming from a night out in December 2018.

A jury in a second trial found him not guilty of one sexual assault charge and couldn’t reach a verdict on five others, paving the way for de Belin’s return to the game after the Director of Public Prosecutions opted not to pursue a third trial and withdrew the charges.

According to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity, NSW medical staff discreetly asked for an update on de Belin after he starred in the Dragons’ last-gasp win over the Roosters on Friday night.

Blues officials were told de Belin had no fitness issues and would be available if selected.

St George Illawarra Dragons forward Jack de Belin and NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler.Credit: Getty

Any potential call-up for de Belin would have needed to be ratified by the NSW Rugby League board.

Despite openly speaking about his ambition to return to the Blues fold, it was thought 32-year-old de Belin would never feature in a NSW jersey again.

But in the strongest sign he could feature later in the series, Fittler spent most of Sunday contemplating whether he needed to add more starch to his pack with one of the NRL’s best defensive forwards.

In an interview with his masthead earlier this year, de Belin said: “It would be a good story to get back there, don’t worry about that. I felt like the rep jerseys were taken away from me prematurely, and I never got the chance to be a year-in, year-out rep player.

Tom Trbojevic was back to his best for Manly in the nation’s capital.Credit: Getty

“I know what I can produce and what I’m capable of.”

Instead, Fittler has opted for a vastly experienced NSW side with Koroisau getting the nod over Cook the most notable surprise.

The Tigers hooker won two premierships with Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai and Isaah Yeo before switching to the joint venture, and it was enough to convince Fittler to have him start game one in Adelaide on May 31.

Dally M Medal winner Hynes is in line to make his Blues debut as a bench utility having been 18th man for NSW last year.

Nicho Hynes makes a break against the Knights on Saturday.Credit: Getty

It’s a fitting reward for the Sharks star, who has mounted an irresistible case for inclusion after leading Craig Fitzgibbon’s team to a share of the competition lead after 12 rounds.

Young has also been rewarded for his stellar start to the year and made the dash from Canberra to meet his Blues teammates in Sydney on Sunday night.

Panthers star Luai will hold the five-eighth jersey despite pressure from Hynes, having breathed a huge sigh of relief when he was only fined for making contact with touch judge Chris Sutton in Penrith’s win over the Broncos.

Off-contract back-rower Frizell has been in terrific form for the Knights, and is seen as a dependable forward who can spend time on both an edge and in the middle.

South Sydney’s Campbell Graham and the Wests Tigers’ Stefano Utoikamanu are expected to be part of the extended squad as the 18th and 19th players.

NSW team: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Josh Addo-Carr, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Tom Trbojevic, 5 Brian To’o, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Tevita Pangai jnr, 9 Api Koroisau, 10 Payne Haas, 11 Liam Martin, 12 Cameron Murray, 13 Isaah Yeo. Interchange: 14 Nicho Hynes, 15 Junior Paulo, 16 Tyson Frizell, 17 Hudson Young, 18 Campbell Graham.

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