New South Wales great Andrew Johns has named his 18-man Blues side to face Queensland at the MCG next month.

NSW are facing a number of changes from last year's 2-1 series defeat to the Maroons, with several key names sidelined through injury while a number of potential debutants continue to make their claim for a jumper.

Building his side on Wide World of Sports' Freddy & The Eighth, Johns has named a total of seven changes from the 2020 side that fell to Queensland in historic fashion.

Johns has backed in Roosters forward Victor Radley to take over the reigns of the starting lock role from Manly veteran Jake trbojevic, who was named as the 18th-man in the side.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 24: Victor Radley of the Roosters makes a break during the round 23 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters at Jubilee Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Radley was named as one of three potential debutants for Brad Fittler to consider, with Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen named in the interchange while the injured Zac Lomax was named in the centres.

Lomax, along with Rabbitohs forward Cameron Murray, is set to be replaced by Johns after being sidelined through injury.

The inclusions of Tom Trbojevic, Lomax, Latrell Mitchell, Radley, Papenhuyzen and Reagan Campbell-Gillard force a number of past incumbents out of the NSW side.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 05: Latrell Mitchell of the Blues looks on during game one of the 2019 State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium on June 05, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Clint Gutherson, Cody Walker, Daniel Tupou, Dale Finucane, Nathan Brown, Isaah Yeo and Jake Trbojevic have been withdrawn from the starting side that last featured for Fittler under Johns' predicted side.

Johns' selection would see Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai continue to wait for his first Blues jumper, with Canberra star Jack Wighton returning to the No.6 jumper.

Panthers winger Brian To'o and Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Junior are also notable names to have missed their first selection.

Andrew Johns' 2021 NSW side:

1. James Tedesco
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Zac Lomax*
5. Tom Trbojevic
6. Jack Wighton
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Junior Paulo
9. Damien Cook
10. Payne Haas
11. Angus Crichton
12. Cameron Murray*
13. Victor Radley

Interchange:
14. Ryan Papenhuyzen
15. Daniel Saifiti
16. Tyson Frizell
17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Reserve:
18. Jake Trbojevic

*To be replaced due to injury

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1 COMMENT

  1. Radley. Another player who can’t come to terms with the crackdown on high hits . He’s always been hitting players high in tackles & putting his shoulder into many of the high hits.
    Came back to bite him & the club versus the Broncos, on several occasions.
    Wake up Victor!

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