Boom Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai has won the NSW Blues' hottest selection battle, getting the nod to partner teammate Nathan Cleary in the halves on debut in the State of Origin opener.
And in two more giant shows of faith in the undefeated Panthers, rugged winger Brian To'o will make his NSW debut after being picked on a wing, while back-rower Liam Martin will debut in a bench role. Uncapped Penrith hooker Api Koroisau has also been named 18th man.
A total of six Panthers have been named in coach Brad Fittler's squad of 19: Cleary, Luai, To'o, Martin, incumbent back-rower Isaah Yeo and Koroisau.
In an indication of just how strong Penrith debutants Luai and To'o have been this season, Luai is topping the NRL in try assists with 14, while To'o is leading both metres gained (2946) and tackle busts (73).
And fellow Panthers debutant Martin has also been influential in Penrith's phenomenal start to the season, which has seen Ivan Cleary's men become just the third team in the history of Australian first-grade rugby league to have won its first 12 games.
https://twitter.com/NRLonNine/status/1398942961308680194
Among Fittler's most surprising selections is Dragons enforcer Tariq Sims, who'll partner Rabbitohs workhorse Cameron Murray in the second row.
Sims turned out for the Blues in two games in 2019 but hasn't played since.
And although Sims earnt a starting spot in the Origin team of legendary Blues coach Phil Gould, neither rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns nor former NSW captain Paul Gallen opted for the 31-year-old.
Despite the Raiders' horrible start to the season and his lacklustre individual form, reigning Dally M medallist Jack Wighton has retained a spot in the NSW 17.
However, the 2019 Clive Churchill medallist has been shifted from the centres, where he partnered Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson in the Blues' failed 2020 campaign, to the No.14 jumper.
Meanwhile, Fittler has opted to shift inspirational Manly forward Jake Trbojevic from lock, where he played in all three 2020 Origin games, to the front row.
That surprise move came at the expense of Brisbane destroyer Payne Haas, who's been relegated from a starting front-row position to beginning on the bench.
Gould, Johns and Gallen all opted for Haas to partner Newcastle brute Daniel Saifiti, who scored the match-winning try in today's win over Manly, in the front row.
The Origin opener is set to take place on June 9, but the venue is still undecided amid the latest breakout of COVID-19.
NSW Blues team for State of Origin opener:
1. James Tedesco 2. Brian To'o 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Damien Cook 10. Payne Haas 11. Cameron Murray 12. Tariq Sims 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Wighton 15. Junior Paulo 16. Payne Haas 17. Liam Martin 18th man. Api Koroisau 19. Campbell Graham
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