With the NSW and Queensland teams set to be named on Monday for the opening State of Origin at Accor Stadium on May 27, NRL.com keeps you updated on the latest selection news from Magic Round.
The official Blues announcement will be at 7.30am Monday, with the official Maroons team announcement to follow at 9am. Follow the NRL, NSWRL and QRL's websites and social media channels for the announcements.
Fans voted for their NSW and Queensland State of Origin line-ups via NRL.com polls and opted for Roosters captain James Tedesco for the Blues fullback spot and halfback Sam Walker to replace the injured Tom Dearden in the Maroons side.
The Roosters will be in action at Magic Round on Saturday against the Cowboys. NRL.com will keep you updated on any injury or judiciary news involving Origin contenders.
Latrell Mitchell (NSW)
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett insisted superstar centre Latrell Mitchell would be available for NSW, despite failing to finish Friday night's match against the Dolphins.
Mitchell, who missed last week's defeat of the Sharks with a back injury, came from the field seven minutes before full-time in South Sydney's 32-10 loss to the Dolphins.
However, Bennett played down suggestions Mitchell was in doubt for the series opener with a recurrence of his back problem.
“He’s okay, he’s not too bad. I don’t think it’s anything serious there,” Bennett said. “He just kind of cramped up a bit. Nothing major... with a 12-day turnaround I think he’ll be alright.”
Cameron Murray (NSW)
Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray faces a nervous wait to learn whether he needs to defend a dangerous tackle charge at the judiciary after being placed on report against the Dolphins.
The star backrower was the third man into a tackle that knocked Tonga international Kulikefu Finefeuiaki off his feet and will be sweating on the charge sheet from the NRL’s match-review committee on Saturday.
After missing last year's Origin series with an Achilles injury, Murray said he would be devastated to be ruled out by suspension.
“I’d be sad about it, for sure,” Murray said. “I love playing in the NSW jersey, so it would be disappointing.”
Max Plath (Queensland)
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf backed the versatile forward to make his Origin debut after another strong performance in which he played the opening 20 minutes at hooker before moving to lock.
Plath scored a try, ran 118m with the ball and made 38 tackles as the Dolphins romped to their third consecutive win.
"I would love to see him get a chance, he has been outstanding for us,” Woolf said.
Dolphins centre Jack Bostock is being touted as a bolter for the Blues just three weeks after returning from an ACL injury and he enhanced his prospects with a strong performance opposite Mitchell.
Blayke Brailey (NSW)
The Cronulla iron man missed Friday night's 38-16 defeat of the Bulldogs after his run of 139 consecutive games came to an end due to a concussion.
With the Sharks hooker vying with Sydney Roosters No.9 Reece Robson for the chance to make his Origin debut, there were concerns that Brailey has missed an important opportunity to push his case for selection.
However, Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon rejected that suggestion and said Blues coach Laurie Daley was likely to already know whether he would opt for Brailey or Robson in the series opener.
"I wouldn't have thought missing this weekend would have anything to do with his selection process," Fitzgibbon said. "If you play 139 games straight you have a rough idea of whether they can play footy or not."
Fitzgibbon also backed prop Addin Fonua-Blake for Blues selection after the Origin eligibility ruled were tweaked to allow NSW or Queensland eligible players who have represented England or New Zealand to play.
