State of Origin: Fittler names trio of debutants for Game I in Adelaide

NSW Blues head coach Brad Fittler has named the 19-man squad that will take on the Maroons at the Adelaide Oval for Game I of the 2023 State of Origin series next Wednesday.

Tevita Pangai Jr., Hudson Young, and Nicho Hynes have all been named to make their Origin debuts.

The withdrawal of veteran prop Jake Trbojevic opened the door for Pangai Jr. to earn a shock call-up after missing the opening six weeks of the season through injury.

Skipper James Tedesco retains his spot at the back with Fittler also opting to select Tom Trbojevic and Josh Addo-Carr who have enjoyed disrupted starts to the season.

Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary will start in the halves together for the third straight series despite pressure from Hynes who has been named to start off the interchange.

Wests Tigers veteran Apisai Koroisau outpaced Damien Cook in the race for the hooking role after sharing number nine duties in Games II and III last series.

Young will start on one edge alongside Tyson Frizell who makes his return to the Origin arena for the first time since 2020.

At 31, Frizell is the oldest member of the squad with Tedesco and Koroisau the only others older than 30.

Cameron Murray reverts back to the interchange after starting five of the past six Origins in the second row.

Following the withdrawal of Campbell Graham due to a sternum complaint, Stephen Crichton has been listed as 18th man with Stefano Utoikamanu also a part of the extended squad.

NSW Blues squad for Origin I:

1 James Tedesco (c)
2 Brian To’o
3 Latrell Mitchell
4 Tom Trbojevic
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Jarome Luai
7 Nathan Cleary
8 Tevita Pangai Jr.
9 Apisai Koroisau
10 Payne Haas
11 Tyson Frizell
12 Hudson Young
13 Isaah Yeo

14 Junior Paulo
15 Cameron Murray
16 Liam Martin
17 Nicho Hynes

18 Stephen Crichton
19 Stefano Utoikamanu

The Blues are the current favourites to win Game I with bookmakers expecting Fittler’s men to overcome their Adelaide Oval demons from 2020.

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