Under-question coach Laurie Daley has returned to the past with his first 2026 State of Origin squad, dropping superstar New South Wales fullback Dylan Edwards for former state captain and Roosters rearguard James Tedesco in a major No.1 shakeup.
There’s a host of debutants included in the 20-man squad as well, including Tolutau Koula on the wing, Addin Fonua-Blake at prop, and Victor Radley and Blayke Brailey on the bench. Ethan Strange (Raiders) and Casey McLean (Panthers) have also been included on the extended bench, while Dylan Lucas from the Knights is in as the 20th man.
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Radley is one of the players who has benefited from the updated eligibility rules, under which New Zealand and England players can compete in Origin if they’re eligible. He usually stars for England and has been named on the Blues bench.
Elsewhere, Isaah Yeo continues to captain the team and is playing lock, while Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses will combine again after appearing in Game One together last year. Kotoni Staggs is taking Latrell Mitchell’s centre spot.
And – for any Blues fans wondering how the star-studded team will revolve in the halves, it sounds like Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary will both have fair cracks at commanding the footy. However, Moses will lean more towards a traditional five-eighth role due to his strong running game, while Cleary will be the on-field general directing the state side.
“Both being halfbacks, they command the football,” Daley said.
“When you’ve got two halves who both like to get their hands on the ball, you can spread the workload. It gives us plenty of options.”
It’s probably also worth noting that Daley – who is unlikely to survive as Blues coach after this must-win series, considering how extremely disliked he is in the role by New South Welshmen – mucked up naming 19th man Casey McLean.
He instead said the name of former Broncos, Eels, and Maroons utility Casey McGuire. Bad omen?
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Here’s the full New South Wales team named for Origin Game I.
1. James Tedesco
2. Brian To’o
3. Stephen Crichton
4. Kotoni Staggs
5. Tolutau Koula (debutant)
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Addin Fonua-Blake (debutant)
9. Reece Robson
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Hudson Young
12. Haumole Olakau’atu
13. Isaah Yeo (c)
14. Cameron Murray
15. Victor Radley (debutant)
16. Jacob Saifiti
17. Blayke Brailey
18. Ethan Strange
19. Casey McLean
20. Dylan Lucas
The series opener will be played in Sydney on Wednesday, May 27.
