Key battle at halfback for the blues

Brad Fittler and Billy Slater are just days away from announcing their squads for of game one of State of Origin at the Adelaide Oval on 31 May.

Ahead of the series we’ve stepped into the shoes of head coach and picked a 1-17 for both sides, starting with New South Wales. The biggest selection headaches for the blues was who would play in the halves alongside Nathan Cleary and who gets the start at hooker.

1. James Tedesco – In an era of exceptional blues fullbacks, Tedesco is potentially the best of them all. The captain of the side, he has the number one jersey locked down for as long as he wants it.
2. Brian To’o – The two time grand final winner is the best in the world at bringing the ball out from his own end. Even during a quiet start for the Panthers the Samoan international is averaging 200 metres a game.
3. Tom Trobojevic – There have been question marks all season over the fitness of Tommy Turbo and he is yet to show he is back to his scintillating best. However, he has the runs on the board in the origin arena and that’s why he is in my team.
4. Latrell Mitchell – Latrell is the heartbeat of the high flying South Sydney Rabbitohs. Whether it be offloads, kicks in behind or just powering through defensive lines, the man can do anything and will be a danger on the edge.
5. Campbell Graham – Campbell Graham is improving year on year, and with injuries to Josh Addo-Carr and Daniel Tupou he can no longer be ignored. Graham is one of the best defensive backs in the NRL and doesn’t shy away from doing the hard yards coming out of the backfield. Despite playing primarily in the centres I’m confident he can do a job on the wing.
6. Nicho Hynes – Hynes or Luai is the biggest selection dilemma Brad Fittler will face leading into Origin one. For me there is only one choice in Nicho Hynes. Jarome Luai has been quiet in a stuttering Panthers side while last year’s Dally M winner has been the Sharkies best player after missing the opening rounds.
7. Nathan Cleary – At 25 years old Cleary looks to have the seven jersey sewn up for years to come. He will look to control the side and with three drop goals and one epic two point field goal already this year, we know that he can come in clutch in the big moments.
8. Junior Paulo – Paulo has been a shining light in a poor Eels side. He’s averaging 11 hit ups and 150 metres this year and also has the ability to ball play. Alongside Payne Haas, he will look to lead what is a relatively inexperienced pack.
9. Damien Cook – Cook lost his starting spot to Api Koroisau last year, but has gained it back in my side for 2023. Like Latrell, he is at the heart of all that is good for the Rabbitohs this year and I’ll be looking for him to use his speed around the ruck to get the maroons defence on the backfoot.
10. Payne Haas – The Broncos front rower has been a wrecking ball in 2023 and currently tops the Dally M standings. He’s averaging 16 hit ups and close to 200 metres in the NRL this year and I’ll be looking for him to crack open the Queensland defence.
11. Haumole Olakau’atu – The first in a pair of debutantes in the second row. Haumole Olakau’atu was close to unplayable in the opening weeks of the season and continues to impress. A powerful front rower, he has five tries in nine games and will be a constant danger on the edge.
12. Hudson Young – A bolter in the side due to injuries to other edge back rowers, Young is made for origin. He loves to niggle the opposition and is a good combination of a strong runner and silky ball player. I’m expecting him to thrive in the cauldron of the origin arena.
13. Isaah Yeo – The definition of a ball playing 13. Yeo loves to dig deep into the line before finding his halfbacks on the edge and his combination with Nathan Cleary has proved to be lethal. He is also a sneakily strong ball carrier in his own right, averaging 157 metres a game in 2023.
14. Matthew Burton – I’m backing Damien Cook to play 80 minutes which means I can fit a utility back on the bench. Burton can cover pretty much any position in the back field but also could be thrown on at 13 to provide something different. He also has a world famous bomb that can cause chaos, just ask Kayln Ponga.
15.  Cameron Murray – Some may be surprised to see Murray on the bench however I think he could be even more effective coming on around the 20 minute mark to target the tiring Queensland middles. Murray is one of the best in the game at finding his front and getting a quick play the ball.
16. Spencer Leniu – Leniu is a powerhouse for the Panthers off the bench and the blues will be looking for him to have a similar impact. A New South Wales u20 representative, he has already won two premierships with Penrith at the age of 22.
17. Max King – Another bolter, injuries to forwards like Regan Campbell-Gillard and Jake Trobojevic mean that Max King gets a chance in my side. With the size of the Queensland pack I want another big body on the bench to provide grunt through the middle.

Honourable mention –  Dylan Edwards. In any other era Edwards would be the first name on the team sheet for the blues. It just so happens he is playing at a time where New South Wales are blessed with four world class fullbacks. For the last three years Edwards has been perhaps the most underrated player in the NRL, and we are seeing once again this year that he turns up week in week out for the panthers.

Have we got it right? Let us know who you would have in your side for game one.

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