Michael Maguire is at the helm, Jake Trbojevic has the (c) next to his name, and five new faces will earn their first taste of State of Origin football when the Blues take the field at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night in a bid to vanquish Queensland’s three-peat hopes.
Brad Fittler’s six-year tenure as the Blues’ head coach was characterised by its dizzying highs and dispiriting lows but, with a changing of the guard, NSWRL officials are hopeful for a more stabilised upcoming period.
Maguire has been dealt a number of blows in his first series in charge with first-choice No.1 Dylan Edwards joining the likes of Nathan Cleary, Tom Trbojevic, and Cameron Murray on the injured list.
Having been overlooked a week ago, incumbent skipper James Tedesco answered a perhaps awkward SOS call and will now man the fullback position for Maguire.
Incumbents Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton – who reunite having won the past three premierships together at Penrith – headline the rest of the backline with debutants Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i and Zac Lomax joining them whilst Jarome Luai and Nicho Hynes make up a new-look halves pairing.
Reece Robson outgunned Apisai Koroisau in the race for the hooking role with new skipper Trbojevic flanked by Payne Haas and debutant Cameron McInnes in the middle.
Robson (T-2nd), Trbojevic (5th), and McInnes (13th) are all among the top tacklers in the premiership this season perhaps giving a hint towards the style of play Maguire is focusing on.
Liam Martin and Angus Crichton are set to start on either edge with Isaah Yeo and Hudson Young joined by debutants Haumole Olakau’atu and Spencer Leniu on the pine.
Injurues have not only proven an issue south of the border with Billy Slater’s Maroons down the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Thomas Flegler.
Reece Walsh will again wear the No.1 jersey with Murray Taulagi and Xavier Coates rounding out the back three and Valentine Holmes and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow the centres.
Captain Daly Cherry-Evans is joined in the halves by Tom Dearden whose only Origin nod up until this point came in Queensland’s 2022 decider victory.
Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Collins, and Patrick Carrigan make up a powerful middle with recalled Dragon Jaydn Su’A partnering Jeremiah Nanai in the second row.
The tried and tested hooking duo of Ben Hunt and Harry Grant again occupy the No.9 and No.14 slots with Moeaki Fotuaika, Selwyn Cobbo, and debutant J’maine Hopgood rounding out the interchange.
Having spent time as a winger, centre, and fullback at clubland over the past four seasons, Cobbo provides Slater with ideal outside back cover but may also be leant on as a middle forward depending on how things shake out.
With five wins from their past seven matches, Queensland enter the clash as favourites as they look to secure their second three-peat in less than a decade.
