State of Origin Game I: The NRL stars fighting for selection in Round 11
It’s crunch time for a handful of Origin hopefuls who have just 80 minutes to impress Billy Slater and Laurie Daley. See who the players who need to perform in Round 11.
It’s crunch time for State of Origin hopefuls with just 80 minutes to lock in their spot for the series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 28.
Queensland coach Billy Slater and NSW coach Laurie Daley have massive selection calls to make right across the park, from fullback to forward pack rotations and utility options on the bench.
There are incumbents from both states hanging on by a thread and the next generation of Origin talent banging on the door.
We take a look at which players Slater and Daley will be watching in the final round of action before team selection on Monday.
PICK YOUR OWN ORIGIN LINE-UPS IN THE TEAM PICKER BELOW
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS V PARRAMATTA EELS
Friday 6pm, McDonald Jones Stadium
Slater’s watching:
Given Newcastle’s struggles, Kalyn Ponga’s confidence levels could be the difference between the No.1 jumper – with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow breathing down his neck – or a spot on the bench.
Slater likes the toughness and work ethic of Parramatta’s J’maine Hopgood. The Maroons coach could spring another game one surprise, like he did in 2024 going with Hopgood over David Fifita.
Dane Gagai will again be an injury stop gap, like the Knights veteran centre was for Slater in last year’s decider.
Daley’s watching:
Incumbent Zac Lomax needs a big 80-minute performance to allay any fear Daley has over his match fitness returning from a foot injury. Replicating his lethal Origin combination with Eels halfback and teammate Mitchell Moses might be enough for Daley to take a gamble on Lomax on the wing.
Bradman Best impressed in last year’s decider but he hasn’t done enough to keep his centre spot with Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell fit and firing.
Newcastle big man Jacob Saifiti is way ahead of Parramatta’s Junior Paulo in the race for a bench spot and a tough performance could convince Daley to go with size ahead of mobility on the bench.
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS V SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Friday 8pm, Accor Stadium
Slater’s watching:
Bulldogs dummy-half Reed Mahoney has cut a more calm and composed character in recent weeks, which will impress Slater. But his lack of versatility might be his undoing if Harry Grant is fit given Mahoney’s lack of utility value.
Tackle-busting Roosters rookie Robert Toia might not force a shake-up in the outside backs just yet but he will make a huge statement if he can get the better of Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri.
Incumbency gives Lindsay Collins an upper hand, but the Roosters prop was underwhelming in last year’s decider and will test Slater’s loyalty given he is only just returning from an MCL injury and likely to have limited minutes.
Hard working and versatile, Canterbury’s Kurt Mann is a late bolter option. Tough, uncompromising and boasting footy smarts, he could steal a bench spot in game one.
Daley’s watching:
The Blues coach will be glued to this match. Canterbury skipper Stephen Crichton, is a shoe-in at centre. His lethal right-edge combination with Jacob Kiraz has forced Daley to take notice of the Bulldog as a wing option.
Roosters fullback James Tedesco is ahead of incumbent Dylan Edwards in all key stats like run metres, tackle busts and try assists. He can’t possibly do anymore but a sub-par performance will certainly scuttle his chances.
Given fitness concerns over wingers Brian To’o and Lomax, a case is mounting for rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase, whose size and strength is made for Origin, and can catch Daley’s attention with a physical display against the ladder leaders.
Firebrand Spencer Leniu is an Origin wrecking ball but Canterbury’s Max King is vying for his bench spot. King is hard working but mongrel trumps all else in the Origin arena, so it’s Leniu’s spot to lose.
Connor Watson’s versatility is invaluable and only an injury will rob him of selection.
He can play 80 minutes at hooker, squeezing out Reece Robson allowing Daley the option of going with a livewire No.14 like Ryan Papenhuyzen.
Angus Crichton has not set the world on fire this season and while his spot in the 17 is safe, Canberra’s Hudson Young is coming for his starting edge spot.
There are too many better centre options ahead of five-eighth Matt Burton, but that No.14 bench is up for grabs if Daley opts for one hooker.
DOLPHINS V NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Saturday 3pm, Suncorp Stadium
Slater’s watching:
Electric Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is in better form than Ponga and if the Knights No.1 fails to impress, Slater will be tempted to bite the bullet. At a minimum Tabuai-Fidow will be at centre.
Dolphins captain Tom Gilbert gives Slater options in the pack rotation given he can play in the middle or on an edge, where his return in game one is likely to keep Jaydn Su’A out of the equation.
The lack of consistency and mongrel is hurting Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who should be steamrollering defences. If he can unlock his rampaging potential in the coming weeks, he’ll find himself in the frame for future selection.
Reliable Warriors forward Kurt Capewell, who is vying for a bench spot, has been named at centre but rather than hurt his selection hopes, it’s a final chance to prove his versatility.
Daley’s watching:
Given the recent injury history of Moses and Cleary, Daley will be keeping a close eye on opposite halfbacks Isaiya Katoa and Luke Metcalf, who is arguably the most improved player in 2025. Katoa is calm and poised, while Metcalf is playing with supreme confidence. It’s a shout out that could decide the halves pecking order if Daley suddenly finds himself with an injury crisis.
Mitch Barnett’s work ethic has been unmatched for the Warriors and another big performance will see him elevated from the Blues bench into the starting prop rotation if Jake Trbojevic is axed.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS v MANLY SEA EAGLES
Saturday 5.30pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Slater is watching:
Cowboys ace Jaxon Purdue will play in his favoured position at five-eighth after his attacking prowess was on full display at centre last week. He’s still a teenager but his ability to create has him shaping as a bench bolter, where can be an X-factor in the No.14 jumper.
It would take an inspired performance for Tom Dearden to usurp his opposite Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans at halfback. But he is 80 minutes from replacing Hunt (hamstring) on the bench, where he offers cover in the halves, hooker and even at lock.
Jeremiah Nanai was axed for defensive deficiencies by Todd Payten in Round 2 but is firmly in the mix for selection. He’s no sure thing given the emergence of Beau Fermor and Corey Horsburgh as edge and bench options, respectively.
Murray Taulagi missed last year’s decider with a hamstring injury but a powerful performance could see him overtake either Selwyn Cobbo on the wing.
Daley is watching:
Manly’s Jake Trbojevic’s impact in the pack, at club and Origin level, is waning. He’s got 80 minutes to prove he has more than just heart to offer the Blues given the form of Barnett, Spencer Leniu and Terrell May, whose fresh legs are ready to shake-up the prop rotation.
Tom Trbojevic has been leapfrogged by Crichton and Latrell Mitchell at centre, while the fullback battle is down to Edwards and Tedesco. It leaves the wing, where he hasn’t played in Origin since 2018, as his only shot at selection.
He was underwhelming against Cronulla last week and the fact he still doesn’t look 100 per cent could spook Daley.
Haumole Olakau’atu was axed for the decider but he has taken his intimidation factor to another level this year.
Olakau’atu has been toying with opposition defences and is leading the NRL for back rowers in tackle busts. He wont start in game one but a bench spot is his for the taking.
Cowboys hooker Robson is the incumbent but has hardly set the world on fire.
If Daley is looking for toughness, Robson fits that bill but the coach has more wily options in Api Koroisau and even Watson.
CRONULLA SHARKS V MELBOURNE STORM
Saturday 7.35pm, Sharks Stadium
Slater’s watching:
Melbourne’s Harry Grant (hamstring) is no certainty to take the field but has a mortgage on the Maroons No.9 jumper. Five-eighth Cameron Munster and winger Xavier Coates will re-claim their spots after going missing through injury last year.
Hardworking lock Trent Loiero is a smokey to jag a bench spot given he can play on and edge and in the middle, putting the heat on Reuben Cotter, Tom Gilbert and Corey Horsburgh, all who add similar versatility.
Daley’s watching:
Ryan Papenhuyzen capped off his red-hot form with a 36-point display in Melbourne’s demolition of the Tigers. He’s not going to usurp Edwards or overtake Tedesco in the fullback order but he is a bolter at No.14, especially if Daley opts to go with an 80-minute hooker.
Axing Trbojevic opens a spot for a prop like Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu, who probably isn’t ahead of Terrell May on from alone but has the advantage of club coach Craig Bellamy in the ear of Daley as his selection advisor.
And no one more than Bellamy about the utility value of Tyran Wishart, who can cover every position in the backline and even at lock. He can be Daley’s supersub in an arena where a single backline injury can cause chaos.
Tough as nails lock Cameron McInnes rockets into contention given Cameron Murray’s (Achilles) unavailability. Penrith’s Isaah Yeo will wear the No.13 jumper but if Daley is looking for someone to be the glue in defence in the middle, no lock forward has made more tackles than McInnes in 2025.
BRISBANE BRONCOS V ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Sunday 2pm, Suncorp Stadium
Slater’s watching:
A busy performance from Brisbane fullback Cobbo, where he takes the hard carries and goes looking for work, should shut-out Taulagi from a spot on the wing. Anything less will leave Slater with question marks.
Kobe Hetherington was an early bolter but Brisbane’s patchy form has dampened his chances given the strength of options on the bench. Dragons back rower Jaydn Su’A will need a powerhouse performance in his battle on the edge with Jordan Riki if he is to leapfrog the likes of Beau Fermor and Nanai.
Slater will want nothing more from Brisbane workhorse Pat Carrigan and Dragons centre Valentin Holmes than to get through unscathed.
Daley’s watching:
Despite claims Payne Haas has not delivered at the Origin level, the Broncos powerhouse is first picked on his metre-eating form.
Dragons fullback Clint Gutherson’s work ethic is unmatched and hooker Damien Cook has shown glimpses of the form that earned him 17 Origin caps but neither are genuine containers in either position.
It’s a similar story for Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs, who will only add to his single Origin game in 2022 through injury.
He can send Daley a message of his power and ability to dominate with a strong showing against his opposite and Maroons centre Holmes.
CANBERRA RAIDERS V GOLD COAST TITANS
Sunday 4.05pm, GIO Stadium
Slater’s watching:
Moe Fotuaika’s form has been patchy for the Titans but he put his body on the line in the decider. He’ll get a chance to remind Slater of that physicality when he locks horns with Canberra’s Horsburgh in a prop battle that could be the difference between a bench spot and missing out entirely.
Beau Fermor has kept David Fifita from his favoured left edge spot and he is 80 minutes away from an Origin debut.
Linchpin Tino Fa’asuamaleaui just needs to get through unscathed after missing last year’s series with an ACL injury.
Daley’s watching:
Only injury or a brain explosion stands between Canberra’s Young and a Blues re-call. Daley will be hoping the form NSW back rower suffers neither on Sunday. If he isn’t starting on an edge, likely in place of the Roosters’ Crichton, he has a bench spot sewn up.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS V WESTS TIGERS
Sunday 6.15pm, Campbelltown Stadium
Slater’s watching:
South Sydney’s Jai Arrow hasn’t been in the Origin fold since 2023 and that’s unlikely to change.
Daley’s watching:
Latrell Mitchell sewed up a centre spot after last week’s game-breaking effort against Brisbane. It’s his to lose and only a shocker will see him overlooked.
Speaking of shockers, the Tigers dismal showing against Melbourne did Jarome Luai no favours. He’s the incumbent but needs a general like masterclass on Sunday to wear the No.6 jumper again in game one.
Terrell May tried his guts out against Melbourne and made 53 tackles but he needs a big game with big line bending carries to stay in contention. Especially when Keaon Koloamatangi has emerged as a genuine forward pack bolter.
Already turning heads with his form on the edge, he was in beast mode in his first game at prop in 2025 last week, eating up 200 metres in an unstoppable display.
Api Koroisau’s name is being thrown around for the No.9 but he only comes into contention if Daley goes with a two-hooker rotation, given he’s averaging around 60-minutes per game this year.
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