Robbie Farah will captain the Blues in the absence of the injured Paul Gallen, and Queensland stamped their intentions with militaristic might as both sides unveiled their squads for Game 1 of the highly anticipated State of Origin series.
Both the Blues and the Maroons revealed their lineups in front of media luncheons today, with both lineups containing very few surprises.
As previously revealed, regular Blues captain Gallen will not take his place in the side for Origin I due to a hip injury, paving the way for Farah to pick up his second cap as captain of New South Wales.
The Blues also recalled Sydney Roosters five-eighth Mitchell Pearce to the side, as well as naming two debutants Canterbury Bulldogs forward pair Josh Jackson and David Klemmer. By virtue of an off-season move, Ryan Hoffman also becomes the first ever New Zealand Warrior to play Origin football for the Blues.
Meanwhile the Maroons literally brought out the heavy artillery to announce their side, rolling in a pair of FREAKING TANKS and having a military guard of honour line the path for the announced squad to walk down. Garish? Heavy handed? A little over the top? Perhaps. But when you don’t have the Shield, you’ve got to pull out all the stops.
The Maroons only named one lone debutant in their side – Broncos prop Josh McGuire. Meanwhile Darius Boyd finds his name amongst those called out, despite limited on-field time this season following injury recovery.
The team lineups are as follows.
NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES
Josh Dugan, Daniel Tupou, Josh Morris, Michael Jennings, Will Hopoate, Mitchell Pearce, Trent Hodkinson, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah (c), James Tamou, Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman, Josh Jackson, Trent Merrin, Boyd Cornder, David Klemmer, Andrew Fifita
QUEENSLAND MAROONS
Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Will Chambers, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (c), Nate Myles, Aiden Guerra, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh McGuire, Matt Gillett, Jacob Lillyman, Dylan Napa (18th man).
Origin 1 goes down at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium next Wednesday, May 27th.
Fire up, sports fans! It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Photo: Quinn Rooney via Getty Images.
