Origin Selections

An overview of the NSW and QLD teams for Round One 

F. A. Loxton

IN WHAT HAS BEEN A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE START TO THE 2023 NRL SEASON, WHICH SEES FIVE TIMES EVEN AT THE TOP OF THE TABLE, BRAD FITLER AND BILLY SLATER HAVE NAMED THEIR ORIGIN SIDES FOR ROUND ONE WHICH WILL BE PLAYED AT THE ADELAIDE OVAL JUST NEXT WEDNESDAY. 

The Blues side named looks to be similar to last year’s side, although unsurprisingly Dally M medalist Nicho Hynes will make his debut off the bench, as Jerome Luai retains his position at five-eight. To the surprise of most fans, Damien Cook missed out on selection, and West Tigers captain Apisau Koroisau will start at hooker, who has improved in form over the last few weeks. In the forwards Hudson Young has been picked to make a well-deserved debut, and Tevita Paingai Junior also comes in after Jake Trbojevic ruled himself out of selection for Game One. Fitler also selected the Dally M leader Payne Haas who will start at prop, as well as Junior Paulo, Cameron Murray, Liam Martin, Isaiah Yeo and Tyson Frizell, who have all established themselves as staple players in an Origin forward pack. 

The New South Wales side will also feature a star-studded backline, the same outfit as in 2021 when they won the series in the first two matches. This will see Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell make a return to the Blues, and Josh Addo-carr move back onto the wing despite a Syndesmosis injury which has seen him on the sideline over the last month. Nathan Cleary, Jerome Luai and Brian To’o remain in the side as the Panthers continue to flourish, and although James Tedesco has been quiet so far this season he will still captain the side with the experience of 19 games. Campbell Graham will play the eighteenth man able to cover both the wing and center positions.

Billy Slater similarly has selected a hugely different side, with, most notably Reece Walsh earning the starting fullback position which will see his Origin debut. In the forwards, David Fifita and Tom Gilbert have been picked to start in the second row, whilst Wally Lewis medallist Patrick Carrigan will play lock. Lindsay Collins has also retained his position at prop, and Thoma Flegler has earned a recall since playing his last game in the 2021 series. Ben Hunt will play hooker providing halves depth and much experience.

In the opener the Maroons have some familiar faces in the backline with Valentine Holmes returning in the centers, Selwyn Cobbo on the wing, and halves combination Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans who will captain the team. A brilliant start to the season has seen Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow start at center replacing Dane Gagai who has had 22 appearances. Similarly, after Kalyn Ponga’s latest concussion, Reece Walsh will debut at fullback, who is in career-best form at the Broncos and third in Dally M voting. Murray Taulagi will also start on the wing after an impressive World Cup Campaign for the Kangaroos. Queensland’s bench will provide good experience, with Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Reuben Cotter and Jai Arrow who collectively have had 26 appearances.

Ultimately both Brad Fitler and Billy Slater have named strong squads to open the series with a mix of experienced veterans and debutants. And, only time will tell as to how both sides perform in the opener – a vital match in determining who raises the Origin shield in 2023.