Origin Watch – New South Wales: Positions in question

Last week we looked over the Origin certainties. Unfortunately, injury has struck and looks to have ended Tommy Turbo's Origin hopes, but the others remain locks.

The below players are those I don't see as absolute locks.

That's not to say they won't be there, as I expect minimal changes given the Origin success NSW tasted in 2018.

Obviously, Jack de Belin will miss the series, but he hasn't been included here.

These are only players (except one) who took part in Origin three in 2018.

Again, I'm not ruling any of the below out but as it stands right now they're not automatic selections like those we looked at last month.

James Roberts: James Roberts form was way down on his 2018 Origin-earning form even before his very public night out. Roberts is one of the most dangerous outside backs in the competition. He is lightning fast, has tremendous footwork and can score from literally anywhere. That said, he has not played to his best in the early rounds. Pre-injury I thought Turbo had the centre position sewn up. His injury may bring the Jet back in, but only if he re-finds his form and pace.

Tyrone Peachey: Peachey looks at long odds to reclaim his bench utility spot unless Fittler is looking to reward his 2018 chargers for their efforts. His amazing talents have largely gone to waste in the centres since joining the Titans. He still has tremendous utility value but he is far from a walk up start despite this fact. By no means is he out of contention but it's not as clear cut as it was last year.

Nathan Cleary: It may sound crazy but Nathan Cleary, the Origin winning halfback from 2018, is at serious risk of losing his spot this year. His form has been poor, although his match-winning effort against the Tigers reminded us of what he is capable of. Luke Keary is looking an almost lock to debut in 2019 and it may be at the expense of the younger of the Panthers halves. Another who I'd expect to be in contention although right now he's behind Keary and possibly Reynolds in the pecking order.

James Maloney: The second member of the victorious Origin halves last year, Maloney is by no means an automatic selection. For the record, I believe he'll be picked but he too has Luke Keary breathing down his neck. If the Blues bring in Keary, as expected, Maloney could be the one to make way due to Cleary's defence being far superior to Maloney's. I'd rather see experience and youth as in 2019 but I would not be shocked if it's Keary and Cleary from this point on.

Tariq Sims: Sims had a less than stellar Origin debut in game three last year. I wasn't sold on his coming in for the super reliable Prior, but in terms of ceiling, the Sims gamble made sense. He'll have learned from the experience. The bench looks anybody's guess at this stage and I expect Sims to be there or thereabouts. There are plenty of Origin-quality forwards emerging and Sims will need some solid form heading into the series to earn his second jumper.

Angus Crichton: I expected Crichton to go to the next level after his shift to Bondi. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case but I have no doubt he'll be in the squad somewhere. That said, with the emergence of the man who replaced him at Redfern in Cam Murray, his spot is under threat. I'd expect him to come off the bench being that he made such a positive impact last season, but can anybody guarantee he'll be there? Not yet anyway.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard: RCG didn't play game three of last year's series but I'm sure he would have if not for injury. Before this past weekend, I had Aaron Woods ahead of the Panthers big man, but Woods injury has RCG right there again. Paul Vaughan and Jordan McClean will be the first props picked and from there it looks very open. RCG is right in the race, and for mine the third prop, but it's not certain.

Let us know below if we missed any players or if you think any of the above are absolute locks and weren't worth even mentioning on this list.