Trbojevic to captain NSW in State of Origin opener
New-look Blues team named for June 5 clash at Accor Stadium
Sea Eagles forward Jake Trbojevic will lead a new-look Blues team in the State of Origin series opener at Accor Stadium on June 5, NSW coach Michael Fittler has announced.
Fittler has made several changes to the side that lost the 2022 series to Queensland, including the axing of captain James Tedesco and the inclusion of uncapped players Jack Wighton, Cameron Murray and Spencer Leniu.
Tedesco has been dropped to the bench, with Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards earning a recall to the starting side. Murray will replace Tariq Sims at lock, while Leniu will come into the front row in place of Junior Paulo.
Wighton is the only player in the team to have not previously played Origin, and the Raiders centre will make his debut at five-eighth.
The Blues will be looking to avoid a third straight series defeat to Queensland, and Trbojevic is confident that the new-look team can get the job done.
"It's a huge honour to be named captain of the Blues," Trbojevic said.
"We've got a great team here, with a good mix of experience and youth. We're all really excited about the challenge ahead."
The Blues will assemble in camp on May 29, and will play a warm-up match against the Rabbitohs on June 1.
NSW team for State of Origin Game 1:
- Dylan Edwards (fullback)
- Brian To'o (wing)
- Jack Wighton (centre)
- Stephen Crichton (centre)
- Josh Addo-Carr (wing)
- Cameron Munster (five-eighth)
- Daly Cherry-Evans (halfback)
- Jake Trbojevic (captain, prop)
- Apisai Koroisau (hooker)
- Spencer Leniu (prop)
- Cameron Murray (lock)
- Isaah Yeo (second row)
- Liam Martin (second row)
- James Tedesco (interchange)
- Damien Cook (interchange)
- Tariq Sims (interchange)
- Junior Paulo (interchange)
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