How NSW will shape up for Game I in Sydney
Fullback – James Tedesco (capt)
Age: 29
Origins: 16
Origin tries: 7
Tedesco has returned to vintage form just in time for the Origin series and with new faces in the Blues backline, they will need him at his best.
Winger – Brian To’o
Age: 23
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 2
Making his Origin debut last year, Penrith flyer To’o is small in stature but a big threat for the NSW attack.
Centre – Kotoni Staggs
Age: 23
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 9
Earning his first call-up, Staggs has big shoes to fill in replacing injured star Tom Trbojevic but loves a challenge and is tipped to rise to the occasion.
Centre – Jack Wighton
Age: 29
Origins: 9
Origin tries: 2
Taking over from injured Latrell Mitchell, big Wighton is a surprise selection in the NSW centres, with his defence a key attribute.
Winger – Daniel Tupou
Age: 30
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 2
After being overlooked for the past two years, Tupou’s height has helped him earn selection over Blues favourite Josh Addo-Carr.
Five-eighth – Jarome Luai
Age: 25
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
Missed Game III last year through injury, but the Panthers playmaker has taken his game to another level after steering his team to the NRL title last year.
Halfback – Nathan Cleary
Age: 24
Origins: 10
Origin tries: 0
Proved his love for the Blues after dislocating his shoulder and playing through the pain to help NSW to the series win last year. His partnership with Luai is key,
Prop – Payne Haas
Age: 22
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 0
After some off-field contract drama, a fired-up Haas will relish returning to a starting role after coming off the bench last series.
Hooker – Damien Cook
Age: 30
Origins: 12
Origin tries: 2
NSW need the veteran Souths speedster darting out of dummy-half to put the Queenslanders on the back foot.
Prop – Junior Paulo
Age: 28
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 0
Has quickly become a mainstay of the NSW side with his power and grunt up front. Been one of Parramatta’s best this year.
Second-row – Cameron Murray
Age: 24
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 0
Overcome a shoulder injury to get a game in for South Sydney before being named for Origin I. Will start on the edge but is better in the middle.
Second-row – Tariq Sims
Age: 32
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 0
One of just two players picked from teams outside the top eight. Holds his spot after being one of the Blues’ best in last year’s series win.
Lock – Isaah Yeo
Age: 27
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 0
The most vital cog in Penrith and NSW’s attack given his ability to link players in the middle and pass before the line. Finally gaining the recognition he deserves.
Interchange:
Stephen Crichton
Age: 21
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
Handed his debut but is named to come off the bench rather than starting at centre like most expected. Is a pure athlete and can play anywhere in the backline.
Liam Martin
Age: 25
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 0
The last of Penrith’s record six players in the Blues’ team. Can play edge or middle off the bench after being an underrated worker for NSW last year.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Age: 28
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Earns a second life in Origin after thinking he was one and done when he broke his jaw following his 2018 debut. Has been one of the NRL’s most consistent props in recent years.
Ryan Matterson
Age: 27
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
Another man who can play middle or edge. His abilities to offload in a tackle and provide versatility in positions are among the many reasons behind his Origin debut.
18th man: Nicho Hynes
Age: 25
Origins: 0
Tries: 0
Will be able to play in almost any position if concussions force him into the game for NSW. Has featured in the halves, at fullback and centre in the NRL, as well as a ball-playing impact role.
Comments on RugbyPass
Loved that comment by Andrew that the ‘water boys’ rule was changed in 2020 just to stymie the Boks!
26 Go to commentsOne of the best the Boks have ever produced. PSDT has an engine that goes non-stop for the full 80 min.
5 Go to commentsThe real deal.
5 Go to commentsIt’s been said that Nienaber will head back to SA too before next World Cup , hoarding all the amazing IP gained in Irish system … get a grip … Irish system needs to Milk the likes of Barrett . First time a leading all Black in his prime has gone to Ireland for any period of time . Enjoy it .
20 Go to comments20 min RC is the only good solution of a bunch of bad solutions. Ridiculous that it has taken this long and caused so many uneven contests. In general these are all very good changes - one is surprised that NH brokers were able to see sense at long last.
7 Go to comments“While a red card will mean a temporary team disadvantage, the replacement system will focus punishment on the offending player instead of disrupting the game itself.” This might work for amateur rugby, where players just want to be on the pitch for as long as possible, but hopefully we’ve got to a point where top level professionals care about the success of their team much more than about whether they personally are on the pitch or not.
7 Go to commentsa lot of focus on the targeting of south africa, but aspects of this are positive. The croc roll; the offside law; and time limits on set pieces are all good. calling for a mark off kick offs is baffling, but I guess we’ll see how it plays out in practice
26 Go to commentsSpeeding the game up is great, but I think we will find that the increase in viewership this year mostly comes down to the competition being more competitive…the fall of the Crusaders has been a boon for viewership. This should be at the heart of super rugby changes - how to make the comp more even
23 Go to commentsThe fact that the press were largely to blame for his taking a break is nothing short of disgusting. He’s made a few mistakes but difficult to name a player of any substance who gives it a full go hasn’t also made mistakes? On behalf of a large number of Bokke fans, bring back Farrell !!!!!
1 Go to commentsPSTD is a fantastic flanker. He could benefit from a bit of self-promotion / flair and he is not quite the danger man that Ardie is. That said, he is my 1st pick to build a backrow around. His speed and hustle made up for Duane who got quite a bit slower at the 8.
5 Go to commentssurprised, disco lights haven't been banned by world rugby board
26 Go to commentsToo many changes. Too often. I’m tired of this WR administration. How do we vote these fockers out? Bill needs to go.
26 Go to commentsDu Toit, 2 time W.Cup winner yet rarely mentioned a “Great “…if one looks back on his stellar carrier perhaps someone will one day elevate him to “Richie” status…a quiet, polite yet devastating loose forward that knew action speaks louder than words..
5 Go to commentsI like the offside rule, but this won't affect my team because all their kicks gets chased and that putts everyone on side. Lekker manne!
26 Go to comments20 minute Red Card is untenable. If you don’t punish the whole team, coaches won’t be sufficently incentivised to pick players with, or coach better tackle technique.
7 Go to commentsI can only think of One time ever a team has opted for a scrum from a free kick… Why the law change I wonder
26 Go to commentsYeah, its not going to work. But we see you World Rugby.
26 Go to commentsLove the reaction after last 2 W.Cups re rule changes…maybe good for more for more of a “ league” type running game( which I personally don’t like) but seems Rassie is definitely in ther heads…
26 Go to commentsGreat. More unwanted changes. Because these always work out well.
26 Go to commentsI’m sure South Africa’s opponents will rejoice at World Rugby minimising one of the Boks’ most potent weapons, but you just know Rassie is cooking something up with free-kicks that no-one else has thought of. Let them play checkers. Rassie’s playing chess. 😂
26 Go to comments