NSW Blues name squad for Origin series opener

New South Wales Blues Coach Brad Fittler has named his squad for the opening game of the 2021 State of Origin series.

Game One of the 2021 series will be played on Wednesday, 9th June at a venue to be confirmed on Monday. The fixture was originally scheduled to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria will likely mean that the series opener will be played at an alternate venue.

The Blues will field three debutants as they look to win the Origin shield back from Queensland, with Panthers trio Jarome Luai and Brian To'o both named to start — replacing 2020 Dally M winner Jack Wighton and Roosters winger Daniel Tupou — while Liam Martin comes on to the bench for the injured Tyson Frizell.

Queensland will name their squad for the series opener on Monday.

NEW SOUTH WALES

1. James Tedesco, capt. (Sydney Roosters)
2. Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers)
3. Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
4. Tom Trbojevic (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
5. Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne Storm)
6. Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers)
7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
8. Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
9. Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
10. Jake Trbojevic (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
11. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
12. Tariq Sims (St. George-Illawarra Dragons)
13. Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)

Interchange:
14. Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders)
15. Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)
16. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
17. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)

Reserves:
18. Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers)
19. Campbell Graham (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Coach: Brad Fittler