State of Origin 2026: NSW Blues confirmed team for Game I in Sydney

Under pressure after losing the 2025 series 2-1, head coach Laurie Daley and the NSW selectors have named their squad for Game I of the 2026 State of Origin series against Queensland—and there have been several huge calls.

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Is this the side to take a 1-0 lead on home soil in Sydney on Wednesday 27 May?

NSW Blues Confirmed Squad: State of Origin Game I 

1. James Tedesco
2. Brian To’o 
3. Stephen Crichton
4. Kotoni Staggs
5. Tolu Koula
6. Mitchell Moses*
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Reece Robson
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Hudson Young
12. Haumole Olakau’atu
13. Isaah Yeo (c)

14. Cameron Murray
15. Victor Radley
16. Jacob Saifiti
17. Blayke Brailey
18. Ethan Strange
19. Casey McLean

20. Dylan Lucas
21. Matt Burton

He’s done little wrong this season, but as widely rumoured in recent days incumbent Blues No.1 Dylan Edwards has lost his spot at the back to Roosters skipper James Tedesco.

Elsewhere in the Blues backline Brian To’o and Tolu Koula have been named on the wings while Stephen Crichton has held his centre spot despite speculation he could pay the price for the Bulldogs’ poor start to the 2026. That said, he’s on restricted training duties in Blue camp as he continues to manage a painful AC joint injury.

With Latrell Mitchell (back) ruling himself out of contention over the weekend Kotoni Staggs has been named as the other centre.

In the halves Mitchell Moses is expected to partner Nathan Cleary with debutant Ethan Strange providing halves cover off the bench. However Matt Burton has been called into Blues camp with Moses understood to be struggling with a leg issue.

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Hooker was one of the more contested positions for the Blues and Reece Robson has foughtoff the challenge from Sharks’ skipper Blayke Brailey who will make his NSW debut off the bench. Api Koroisau has missed out.

In the engine room Payne Haas was unavailable for selection for Game I. Instead Tongan international Addin Fonua-Blake will make his Origin debut up front thanks to the new eligibility rules. He’ll be partnered by Mitch Barnett with no place for his Warriors teammate Jackson Ford or Tigers prop Terrell May.

Blues skipper Isaah Yeo stays at lock with Cameron Murray named on the reserves after missing the 2025 series with an Achilles injury.

The second row sees Haumole Olakau’atu rewarded for his barnstorming start to 2026 with Manly, while Raiders star Hudson Young is set to terrorise the Maroons halves on other edge.

Roosters hardman and England international Victor Radley has been named to debut off the bench alongside Knights veteran Jacob Saifiti and Kiwi international Casey McLean (despite Laurie Daley accidentally naming 46-year-old Queenslander Casey McGuire!)

Knights forward Dylan Lucas is 20th man.

Four shadow players have also joined the Blues squad as cover: Joash Papali’i, Blaize Talagi, Tom Hazelton and Mat Croker.

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State of Origin 2026: Match Schedule