If Origin was picked today, this would be my NSW team

April 23, 2026 — 5:00am

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No Payne Haas, no Liam Martin, no Tom Trbojevic. They are important losses for NSW.

But the big question, which will really determine how NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley selects his team and who replaces those players, is how will the game be refereed?

Will it be refereed the same as we’ve seen in the opening seven rounds of the NRL? Because if that’s the case, it’s going to really affect the selection of the front row – the middle forwards – and how they’re going to attack.

I’ve seen – and played in – many rep games, and the key is to pick players who complement the game plan, because one Origin camp is not enough time to make players totally change the way they play.

Given how the game is currently being played – and refereed – this is who would be in my NSW team for Origin I.

A shake-up for the starting side

For me, it’s James Tedesco at fullback.

Similar to Dylan Edwards, Teddy’s workload is exceptional – it’s like having an extra forward – but he has a better passing game than Edwards and at 33 years old, he’s playing as well as ever.

Brian To’o has one wing locked down, and I think the other one should either go to Mark Nawaqanitawase or Jacob Kiraz.

With “Marky Mark”, there will be moments when your heart is in your mouth, but the coaches need to sit him down and tell him that when he’s coming out of trouble in his own end, he needs to avoid offloads and stay away from the sideline.

He’s a big body and he’s incredible in the air, which is the same for Kiraz,........

© Brisbane Times