As current holders of the Origin shield, the Blues may be tempted to run out a very similar side to that which earned victory in 2018.

They'll be forced into at least one change with Jack de Belin looking as though he'll be ruled out due to the no fault stand down policy.

Throw in an injury to Wade Graham that will almost certainly rule him out also.

The halves partnership of James Maloney and Nathan Cleary will be under huge scrutiny, as will former utilities Tyrone Peachey and Jack Bird.

This lays the platform for at least a debut or two for an in-form player.

We look below at a few front runners for a debut Origin jumper come game one.

Luke Keary: This will cause contention for those with a good memory. Luke Keary once said he would only play for Queensland, but right now he's arguably the form five-eighth of the competition. The current Kangaroo half looks set to take his game to the next level, Origin football in 2019. The rules state he can only represent NSW and on form you'd pick him all day long. If he can keep that incredible run up, there's going to be an awkward discussion come Origin time.

Tevita Pangai Junior: The former Tongan international wrecking ball has switched his allegiance to play for the Blues, and should be rewarded with his first Origin jersey come game one. With Jack de Belin out, Jake Turbo looks like he'll move into the run on squad with Pangai Junior slotting in on the bench. One of the game's elite young forwards, this is a huge get for Fittler and his crew. Near certain selection.

Victor Radley: If Pangai Junior isn't selected, Victor Radley very well may be. Although his opening two games of the season haven't lived up to his lofty 2018 heights, there is no doubting this kid is build for Origin. If selected he'll be front and center of every promotion such is his character. A brilliant, and diverse, forward, he can play number nine if required. May be in the reckoning for that utility spot on the bench. Will need a big run of form though to put his name in lights.

Matt Lodge: Straight off the bat, I wouldn't pick Lodge, but football wise I could understand if they did. By all accounts he is in the discussion for a bench spot.

Cameron Murray: The third genuine contender to replace de Belin comes in the form of in form Rabbits lock Cam Murray. I am a huge fan of this kid and his performances across the opening two rounds have just furthered that. His efforts have left seething Bunnies fans asking 'Angus who?' and for good reason. Another who could force his way into the starting side only on the back of some ridiculous form, but as it stands I'd expect him to be in the squad somewhere whether or not he plays.

Cody Walker: This may seem a little left-field considering Luke Keary is leading the race if either Maloney or Cleary are to be replaced, but stay with me here. The last two times New South Wales have tasted Origin victory have come when two form club half combinations have played. Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds, Maloney and Cleary, Reynolds and Walker? If Penrith aren't flying, but the Bunnies are, I'd absolutely support a straight club switch in the sky blue jersey. More than that though, Walker is an incredible number six, tough as nails and would like right at home in the set up. Probably only gets chosen ahead of Keary if chosen with Reynolds.

Dale Finucane: I guarantee Finucane won't be on many people's Origin radars, yet I'm not really sure as to why. He has consistently been one of the Storm's best for a number of years now and has premiership success to his impressive resume. You want to talk about tough as nails, Finucane personifies that. I don't expect to see his name in the talk but I would be shocked if Fittler wasn't keeping one eye on the criminally under rated Storm big man.

Curtis Scott: Latrell Mitchell has a centre spot locked down for as long as he wants it, but James Roberts could come under fire if his form is not where it needs to be. Curtis Scott is probably a year or two off Origin selection just yet but you could do far worse. His aggression and defence could see him jump some bigger name players in the pecking order if Roberts or Latrell go down with an injury.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon: During the pre-season I predicted that Fitzgibbon would be in the Origin set up come round one. His performance in the opening fortnight haven't seen him ahead of the bigger name players pushing for positions but I expect the best is yet to come for the Knight. When Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce find their way, Fitz will again become one of the most dangerous wide running back rowers. Another who will likely be brought into camp regardless of his playing status, but don't be surprised if some big efforts get him close.

Did we forget anyone? Please let us know below who you think may be in line for an Origin debut in Game One?

19 COMMENTS

  1. Adam Reynolds never won an origin series mate. Josh Reynolds partnered Hodkinson in the blues halves in 2014.

  3. Luke Keary to play for the Blues? Surely that’s not right.
    I may be misinterpreting the rules of Origin, but it’s my understanding that the rules state a player’s state of origin is determined by where they played their first SENIOR game. If that’s the case, didn’t Keary play his first senior game for the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup? Prior to that he had played in NSW but that was schoolboy league – under 18s.
    He played Qld cup for the Bears before he came back to NSW to play for Souths.
    Have I got that right? If not, can you gurus of the game please explain the rules to me.

  4. I agree he should be playing for Queensland.

    State Representation is based on where you played your first game of League as a 13-Year old.

    The rules have been altered many times over the years.
    The Rule of where they played their first SENIOR game was when Origin started back in the 80s.
    Over the years this rule went down to U20s, U18s, U16 and is now stands at 13.

    At age 10, Keary moved to Sydney with his family and played for the Kellyville Bushrangers and later Hills District Bulls in the Penrith District!

    In 2010, Keary represented the
    New South Wales Combined Independent Schools (NSWCIS) rugby league team at the Under 18’s National Championships.
    In 2011 Keary played only 1 season for the Burleigh Bears
    Keary played in the U20s for Souths in 2012.

    In January 2013, Keary was a member of the Queensland Junior Emerging Origin squad.
    In Round 12 of the 2013 NRL season, Keary made his NRL debut for the South Sydney

    You know the rest.

  5. This article is misleading…
    In Brad Fittler’s eyes, Cam Murray will play lock with Tevita Pangai on an Edge or up front.
    Cam Murray made Radley look second rate at the SCG!

  6. Essentially there are 6 questions asked. If the majority of those answers point to one state, that is the state you are eligible to represent. The answers to those questions clearly show that he has to represent NSW.
    As he wants to play for the toads I would never pick him to represent NSW. It’s the SOO wilderness for him.

  8. Jake trobivic will be lock and probably play โ€œGallenโ€ type minutes also, slowing tpj and co to work in shorter sharp spells. Murray I expect to be 18th man this year unless injuries

  9. Yeah….let’s get rid of all the team that won last years series & select players that are ‘in form’ 2 weeks into the season lolol.
    Apart from De Belin & Graham the team will be as last year I hope!

  10. Pangai isnโ€™t a former Tongan international, heโ€™s just chosen to commit to the blues for the series but will still turn out for Tonga at the end of the year and moving forward. Also, we are still a long away from origin, letโ€™s not talk about it two rounds in

  12. The wet weather made all the Sydney Roosters look 2nd rate. Murray can’t play 80 mins.

    Radley can play 80, Tackles like a demon and the Premiership winner can handle the big game pressure with his utility value at lock, hooker, 2nd row or in the halves. is a certainty for this years Origin๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ“๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ“๐Ÿ†

  16. In 2014, there were 8 players who were “local” Juniors, not just Imports like Mitchell who is brought in from afar.
    Mobster Nick has bought way more premierships than any other club has.
    Stop being Naive as all clubs do buy players from vast areas, and Areas who don’t have an NRL team so it is fair game for all.

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