New South Wales has been dealt a huge blow with star half Mitchell Moses ruled out on Tuesday due to the hamstring injury he suffered at training on Monday. Ethan Strange, 21, will come into the starting side for this State of Origin debut to replace Moses. There are no changes to the Queensland lineup.
As always with State of Origin, expect a brutal, fast 20 minutes in which both teams will attempt to dominate the middle and avoid mistakes before the game opens up when fatigue sets in. With so many new players and unknowns in game one of this year’s series, and given the evenness of the two sides, the result is hard to predict.
New South Wales: James Tedesco, Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Kotoni Staggs, Tolutau Koula, Ethan Strange, Nathan Cleary; Addin Fonua-Blake, Reece Robson, Mitchell Barnett, Hudson Young, Haumole Olakau'atu, Isaah Yeo (c). Interchange: Cameron Murray, Victor Radley, Jacob Saifiti, Blayke Brailey, Casey McLean, Matt Burton. Reserve: Dylan Lucas.
Queensland: Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jojo Fifita, Cameron Munster, Sam Walker; Thomas Flegler, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Reuben Cotter, Kurt Capewell, Max Plath. Interchange: Briton Nikora, Lindsay Collins, Patrick Carrigan, Trent Loiero, Ezra Mam, Gehamat Shibasaki. Reserves: Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
