NSW has confirmed the players being called up for battle against QLD in the ultimate state v. state showdown: State Of Origin, which kicks off with next Wednesday’s series opener.
Coach Laurie Daley announced the official selection live in Sydney, thrilling footy fans with the return of favourite Jarryd Hayne.
Here’s the list of confirmed players for the Blues, with Roosters mainstay Boyd Cordner at the helm as captain of the side:
1. James Tedesco
2. Blake Ferguson
3. Josh Dugan
4. Jarryd Hayne
5. Brett Morris
6. James Maloney
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Aaron Woods
9. Nathan Peats
10. Andrew Fifita
11. Josh Jackson
12. Boyd Cordner (c)
13. Tyson Frizell
14. David Klemmer
15. Wade Graham
16. Jake Trbojevic
17. Jack Bird
18. Matt Moylan
19. Jordan McLean
20. Jack De Belin
The Blues’ squad announcement comes hours after QLD coach Kevin Walters choked up as he announced NRL royalty Billy Slater will be omitted from this year’s side.
“It’s been hard, difficult, particularly for all of us involved in the decision making around it because Billy’s been such a wonderful player for Queensland,” he said. “And even when he wasn’t playing last year from a coaching point of view I feel he went above and beyond with what he was meant to do so it was pretty tough.”
While Maroons fans were left shook by the bombshell, Walters refused to rule out Slater – who made a bloody brilliant return to the game following a series of shoulder reconstructions – for game two.
Another blow for QLD: Johnathan Thurston has also been overlooked for his 37th consecutive Origin appearance due to a shoulder injury, being relegated to 18th man.
Here’s the list of confirmed players for QLD.
1. Darius Boyd
2. Corey Oates
3. Will Chambers
4. Justin O’Neill
5. Dane Gagai
6. Anthony Milford
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Dylan Napa
9. Cameron Smith (c)
10. Nate Myles
11. Josh Papalii
12. Matt Gillett
13. Josh McGuire
14. Michael Morgan
15. Sam Thaiday
16. Aidan Guerra
17. Jacob Lillyman
18th man. Johnathan Thurston
FOOTY FOOTY FOOTY.
Photo: Getty.
