'Will be debutants': Daley set for shock Blues selection calls
- Author
- Timestamp
NSW coach Laurie Daley has declared there will be an injection of fresh faces when he names his squad for the opening game of the State of Origin series.
The bold statement comes as the Blues look to overturn last year's 2-1 series defeat, with the coach revealing he will make a number of changes to his side for Game One at Accor Stadium on Wednesday May 27.
This weekend's Magic Round provides the final chance for Blues contenders to press their claims for selection before the team is announced on Monday morning.
Origin statement from Tedesco
A number of positions are up for grabs, with the battle between fullbacks Dylan Edwards and James Tedesco among Daley's toughest calls.
The coach revealed last year's series defeat means the selection process started with a clean slate, with the Blues legend eager to inject some fresh faces into the squad.
"There will be guys that will be making their debut for NSW," Daley said.
"When you lose a couple in a row, everyone's back to the starting position. [Incumbency] guarantees you nothing. Incumbencies are good when you're winning and you can select guys [who have done the job] but it won't be coming down to incumbency.
"It will come down to who we think is playing well enough and can fit into the way we want to play."
Injuries and suspensions have complicated the selection process for Daley, with some players unavailable and others set to enter the series with limited playing time across the past few weeks.
The challenge, however, has also opened up a new opportunity for the next generation to put their hand up for selection.
Back-rowers Jacob Preston and Dylan Lucas, five-eighth Ethan Strange, hooker Blayke Brailey, props Addin Fonua-Blake and Jackson Ford, outside backs Tolu Koula, Jack Bostock and Casey McLean have all rocketed into Daley's calculations this year.
Tolutau Koula Try
Such is the open nature of this year's selection debate, the coach revealed a host of positions won't be decided until after Penrith's clash with St George Illawarra closes out Magic Round.
"There's a couple that we want to be sure with and we want to give ourselves to the last moment," Daley said. "Last impressions are certainly good.
"You want to make sure what you've been seeing from a player is consistently there. You want to make sure they're doing what you need them to do before locking them in and being comfortable once you've got to that decision.
"The other thing is they're so line ball. There are people that deserve to be selected that mightn't be selected so you've got to justify why we've picked them over someone else."
While the fullback battle is the biggest positional debate, hooker is another role that will come down to the wire.
Incumbent Reece Robson, Brailey and Api Koroisau are all in the mix. Koroisau is currently serving a three-game suspension, but Daley said he remains firmly in the conversation. The coach also indicated he will select a specialist dummy half on his six-man bench.
Out wide, Stephen Crichton has only recently returned from a shoulder injury, while Latrell Mitchell missed last week's match due to a back injury. The centre has been named for South Sydney's clash with the Dolphins on Friday night.
Latrell was in a mood
Crichton's position will likely be locked in if he gets through Canterbury's clash with the Sharks, while Mitchell's back will require constant monitoring to ensure it doesn't flare up.
Daley's preference is for all players to be fit to train from the opening day of camp and said a final decision will be made after this weekend.
"We've got to see where [Latrell] is at," Daley said. "We all know what he can do so you'd like to see him play this weekend and get through injury free.
"The issue with backs is you're just unsure. Ideally you want everyone to be training, we've had a lot of issues [in the past].
"For Game One, ideally you want to see them train and back injuries are an unknown so we'll see how he is."
Tickets to State of Origin are selling fast. Don't miss out on your chance to witness history live and get your tickets today.
