Matters of State: The biggest selection calls still remaining

With the Origin series opener just two weeks away, rival coaches Michael Maguire and Billy Slater are sure to have plenty of players locked in but a few key selections remain very much up in the air.

Injuries continue to throw up unexpected curve balls, with Maroons superstar Cameron Munster and Blues centre hopeful Bradman Best both ruled out after being hurt during Magic Round.

With one round left to play for claims to be staked, NRL.com takes a look at the biggest selection calls still to be made for the squads are announced on Monday.

Five key questions still to be answered

1. Who plays fullback for the Blues?

Two worthy contenders, one very tough choice for Michael Maguire. In the red, white and blue corner we have current NSW skipper James Tedesco, a veteran of 22 Origin games and winner of the 2019 Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series. In the black corner we have Penrith’s No.1 gun Dylan Edwards, three-time premiership player and 2022 Clive Churchill Medal who is averaging a mammoth 231 run metres per game this season. Both men are dynamic on kick return, both reliable in defence, both lay on tries for outside men with slick hands when they join the backline. With prospective captains Cameron Murray and Nathan Cleary both sidelined, it seems unlikely Maguire would drop his skipper and throw the No.1 jersey to the uncapped Edwards, despite the fact his form for the past three seasons has all but demanded Origin selection.

2. Who replaces Cam Munster at five-eighth for Maroons?

The sight of Cameron Munster writhing in pain on the Suncorp Stadium turf was enough to send chills down Maroons coach Billy Slater’s spine. He has some pretty handy players he can call on to wear the No.6 in North Queensland’s Tom Dearden and Brisbane’s Ezra Mam, but replacing the mercurial Munster is no easy task. In Dearden’s favour is the fact he has been there before, called in late and standing tall in Game 3, 2021 when Munster was forced to withdraw due to COVID. Mam offers undoubted X-factor and his time will come but the tough as nails Cowboy looks to have his nose in front.

3. Who wears the six and seven for New South Wales?

Nicho Hynes has made an undeniable case for a spot in the halves and a shot at redemption after his horror 12-minute debut in Origin One last year. The Sharks No.7 has been in irresistible form for the competition leaders, setting up tries by hand and foot and controlling the tempo of matches superbly. With Mitch Moses still sidelined since Round 3 by a foot injury it seems unlikely the Blues will risk him in Game One so Hynes is in the box seat to play halfback. Despite being left out of Game Three last year, Panther Jarome Luai has the inside running on the No.6 jersey, with the experience gained in seven Origin matches across the past three seasons sure to work in his favour. Nathan Cleary was his partner in six of those games but the enigmatic Luai will need to stand tall without his trusty sidekick in 2024.

4. Which outside back misses out for the Maroons?

The Hammer’s stunning return from a hamstring injury against Wests Tigers showed he was ready for the rigours of Origin and Selwyn Cobbo was also magical at Magic Round so he looks a certainty. Val Holmes’ tryscoring deeds across his 16 Origin games guarantee him a spot and Storm flyer Xavier Coates’ knack for the freakish four-pointer should secure him a spot. All four will provide powerful carries out of their own end and are strong defenders so that leaves Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi man to miss out despite playing all three games in 2023.

5. Which debutants are in the mix for the Blues?

Sharks workhorse Cameron McInnes’ form across his side’s seven-game winning run makes him impossible to ignore for a Blues debut in Game One, most likely coming off the bench to play in the middle or even dummy half if needed. McInnes is built for Origin with his relentless defence and fierce will to win. Warriors hardman Mitch Barnett did his chances no harm with a powerful display against the Panthers and he gets a chance to further his claims in the final game of Round 12 against the Dolphins. Manly’s form slump won’t have helped Haumole Olakau’atu but with 48 tackle breaks in nine games and 140 run metres per match, the explosive edge forward has done enough to secure a maiden Blues jersey. In-form Dragon Zac Lomax has thrown his cap in the ring for a wing spot with his dynamic start to 2024.