HOW NSW SHAPE UP FOR ORIGIN I
Fullback
James Tedesco. Origins played: 1
Age: 24
2017 kick return metres per game: 69
2017 try assists: 3
While he hasn’t been at his best, Tedesco is one of the game’s premier attackers and has made the third most metres (1800) and busted the second most tackles (72) this season.
Wing
Blake Ferguson. Origins played: 4
Age: 27
2017 average metres: 128
2017 tackle busts: 22
While his club form hasn’t been the best, he’s a proven performer on the big stage for state and country and will form a powerful right edge combination with good mate Josh Dugan.
Centre
Josh Dugan. Origins played: 9
Age: 27
2017 average metres: 147
2017 try assists: 2
Dugan has finally settled his future after signing with Cronulla and will go into NSW camp with a clear mind. One of the most powerful ball runners and is sixth in the league for tackle busts (46).
Centre
Jarryd Hayne. Origins played: 20
Age: 29
2017 average metres: 78
2017 try assists: 2
The man is back. When he last played Origin, he was the difference at fullback in NSW’s drought-breaking 2014 series win. Recently exposed in defence playing at centre for the Titans but is a consummate Origin performer.
Wing
Brett Morris. Origins played: 12
Age: 30
2017 average metres: 101
2017 tackle busts: 31
The Canterbury veteran gets another shot at Origin after Tom Trbojevic was injured and is a part of sky blue folklore for his try-saving tackle on Darius Boyd despite a dislocated shoulder in the 2014 series success.
Five-eighth
James Maloney. Origins played: 6
Age: 30
2017 try assists: 3
2017 line-break assists: 6
He’s the most penalised man in the game in 2017 and has missed more tackles than anyone but he’s a bona fide winner, having lifted the premiership trophy with both the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla.
Halfback
Mitchell Pearce. Origins played: 15
Age: 28
2017 try assists: 9
2017 line-break assists: 8
NSW’s most maligned playmaker gets another chance having failed to lift the shield in his six previous series. At 28 is in career-best form and has been handed the reins of the side.
Prop
Aaron Woods. Origins played: 11
Age: 26
2017 average metres: 135
2017 offloads: 17
The heart and soul of the Blues engine room. Coach Laurie Daley had ruled a line through his name before he made a remarkable comeback from a hamstring injury to prove his fitness.
Hooker
Nathan Peats. Origins played: Nil.
Age: 26
2017 average dummy-half runs: 1.6 for 16 metres
2017 average tackles: 36.8
Peter Wallace was set to be picked at hooker before going down with injury, handing Peats his chance to cement a spot as the Blues’ long-term No.9.
Prop
Andrew Fifita. Origins played: 7
Age: 27
2017 average metres: 141
2017 offloads: 24
A polarising figures whose career has been held back due to off-field issues but is a proven big-game match-winner and possesses an extraordinary motor for a man of his size.
Back-rower
Josh Jackson. Origins played: 6
Age: 26
2017 linebreaks: 3
2017 average tackles: 32.5
Played all but 10 minutes of last year’s series on his way to winning the Brad Fittler Medal for NSW’s best player, a workhorse who will tackle all night long and never lets his teammates down.
Back-rower
Boyd Cordner. Origins played: 6
Age: 24
2017 linebreaks: 3
2017 average tackles: 30.2
Becomes the 19th man to captain NSW after being selected to succeed Paul Gallen, a dangerous ball-runner who will run lines which will trouble Queensland’s right-edge.
Lock
Tyson Frizell. Origins played: 2
Age: 25
2017 average metres: 95
2017 average tackles: 25.4
Has taken to the Origin arena with a tough and uncompromising attitude in attack and defence.
Interchange
David Klemmer. Origins played: 6
Age: 23
2017 average metres: 150
2017 offloads: 2
The fact Klemmer can’t get a start says lots about the Blues’ bench, one of the biggest and scariest forwards in the game, he’ll be leading this pack for years to come.
Wade Graham. Origins played: 1
Age: 26
2017 linebreaks: 7
2017 average tackles: 35.5
Over the last several years no one has done a better job of terrorising opposition playmakers than Wade Graham and expect him to be sent out to rattle Cooper Cronk’s and Anthony Milford’s cages.
Jake Trbojevic. Origins played: Nil
Age: 23
2017 average metres: 116
2017 average tackles: 35.5
One of two new faces in the NSW line up and gets his chance for his state after debuting for Australia last year and at 23-years-old, Laurie Daley will have plans on using him for years to come.
Jack Bird. Origins played: 2
Age: 22
2017 average metres: 116
2017 tackle busts: 35
Blessed with self confidence, unlucky not to be starting at centre but will fill the utility role, capable of playing just about anywhere on the park.