Canberra's Ethan Strange will make his Origin debut at five-eighth on Wednesday night after Mitchell Moses was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Moses pulled up with hamstring tightness after training in Gosford on Monday and scans have revealed a minor hamstring strain.
The Blues confirmed on Tuesday that 21-year-old Strange would start at five-eighth in the series opener.
Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton joined Blues camp on Monday night and will be added to Daley's the six-man interchange bench.
'[Moses] is out," Daley said on Tuesday morning. "He had a strain of the hammy, it's nothing major but too risky 48 hours out from the game. Ethan Strange will start and Matt Burton will come on to the bench.
"It's a big loss but like Origin, you expect nothing different. There's always unexpected things that happen. We've got a really good, strong group of young men. It won't phase them, they'll just move on.
"While it's disappointing for Mitch, he's a big part of the team, but I think we're a bit older and wiser knowing when you bring a big group of people together, they've got to be ready to go at any stage. Ethan's trained well all week so there's no issue."
The hamstring injury is a cruel blow for Moses, who played in the opening game of last year's series before suffering a calf injury at training in the lead-up to Game Two.
In 2024 the Eels star missed Game One due to a foot injury before returning for Games Two and Three to help steer the Blues to a series victory.
The Blues released a statement earlier on Monday afternoon outlining the plan for Burton to come into the squad.
"Moses completed the team session but felt tightness as part of extra activities post the team session and will undergo scans tomorrow to determine the extent of the injury," the statement said.
"Subject to ARLC approval, Burton will join camp this evening, and train with the team in their final session tomorrow ahead of Game One of the Ampol State of Origin series at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night."
Cameron Munster sat out Queensland training on Sunday, but the Maroons insist their captain and star playmaker is in no doubt for Wednesday night's Origin opener at Accor Stadium.
Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam ran in Munster's place during Sunday's session at Sunshine Coast Stadium, with Queensland officials saying the Storm star was being rested due to general soreness/tightness.
Munster did some passing with Queensland great Allan Langer, a member of the Maroons coaching staff, and also oversaw his team-mates doing some running drills.
Centre Robert Toia trained in a no-contact orange bib after suffering a category-two HIA at Magic Round for Sydney Roosters, but he is also not in doubt.
The Westpac NSW Blues are out to defend home turf as they look to topple Queensland in the opening game of the 2026 Ampol State of Origin series.
Blues coach Laurie Daley has named a new-look squad for the clash as he looks to bounce back from last year's defeat.
A capacity crowd exceeding 80,000 is expected at Accor Stadium, with fans set to turn the stadium sky blue in support of their team.
Six NSW players are in the mix to make Origin debuts, with Addin Fonua-Blake and Tolu Koula named to start. Victor Radley, Ethan Strange, Blayke Brailey and Casey McLean have all been listed on the six-man bench.
Daley has made no secret of his desire for the Blues to take on an attacking mindset and has recalled former skipper James Tedesco at fullback.
While home ground advantage has always played a big role throughout the 46-year history of State of Origin, visiting teams have enjoyed some success in recent times.
The home team hasn't won an Origin game since 2023, when NSW prevailed 24-10 at Accor Stadium.
It's a stat that will buoy Billy Slater's Maroons as they look to open their account before the series shifts to Melbourne and later Brisbane.
The reigning champions have plenty of stability from last year but there have been a handful of changes to the side that won the decider at Accor Stadium.
An injury to Tom Dearden has opened the door for halfback Sam Walker to make his Origin debut, while Kalyn Ponga edged Reece Walsh in the race for the fullback jumper.
Stat Attack
- The Blues have lost three of their last four games at Accor Stadium.
- The Maroons have lost Game 1 only once under coach Billy Slater.
- The Blues have lost their last four series-openers in Sydney.
- Maroons fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 11 tries in 10 Origin appearances.
- Winger Brian To’o requires one try to become the outright leading Origin tryscorer for NSW.
Team News
Blues: Mitchell Moses is a late withdrawal with a hamstring injury so Ethan Strange debuts at five-eighth and Matt Burton joins the bench. James Tedesco has edged Dylan Edwards for the fullback role in the tightest positional battle for NSW, with Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses to link up in the halves. There are six potential debutants in the 19-man team as Laurie Daley makes a raft of changes from Game Three last year. Tongan co-captain Addin Fonua-Blake and Manly speedster Tolu Koula have been named in the starting side, while Victor Radley, Blayke Brailey, Strange and Casey McLean are all currently listed on the six-man bench. Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau'atu form a new-look backrow, while Cam Murray makes his Origin return via the interchange.
Maroons: Sam Walker will make his Origin debut at halfback in place of the injured Tom Dearden, with captain Cam Munster retaining the No.6 jumper. Kalyn Ponga has edged Reece Walsh for the No.1 jumper, while Rob Toia and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will line up in the centres. Jojo Fifita is set for his Queensland debut on the wing, fellow debutant Max Plath starts at lock and Briton Nikora is in line for his maiden Origin appearance after being named on the six-man interchange. Pat Carrigan is set to bring punch off the bench, while Ezra Mam and Gehamat Shibasaki shape as potential X-factors if injected into the contest by coach Billy Slater.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Blues is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Maroons is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Blues is number 2 Brian To'oWinger for Maroons is number 2 Selwyn Cobbo
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Centre for Blues is number 3 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Maroons is number 3 Robert Toia
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Centre for Blues is number 4 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Maroons is number 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
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Winger for Blues is number 5 Tolutau KoulaWinger for Maroons is number 5 Jojo Fifita
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Five-Eighth for Blues is number 18 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron Munster
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Halfback for Blues is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Maroons is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
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Prop for Blues is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Maroons is number 8 Thomas Flegler
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Hooker for Blues is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Maroons is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Blues is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Maroons is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
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2nd Row for Blues is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Reuben Cotter
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2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Kurt Capewell
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Lock for Blues is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Maroons is number 13 Max Plath
Interchange
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Interchange for Blues is number 14 Cameron MurrayInterchange for Maroons is number 14 Briton Nikora
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Interchange for Blues is number 15 Victor RadleyInterchange for Maroons is number 15 Lindsay Collins
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Interchange for Blues is number 16 Jacob SaifitiInterchange for Maroons is number 16 Patrick Carrigan
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Interchange for Blues is number 17 Blayke BraileyInterchange for Maroons is number 17 Trent Loiero
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Interchange for Blues is number 19 Casey McLeanInterchange for Maroons is number 18 Ezra Mam
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Interchange for Blues is number 21 Matt BurtonInterchange for Maroons is number 19 Gehamat Shibasaki
Reserves
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Reserve for Blues is number 20 Dylan LucasReserve for Maroons is number 20 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
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