NRL: Mark Nawaqanitawase's hot form is pushing his case for State of Origin selection.
Laurie Daley has revealed he may consider youth before experience on the Blues edges after an injury-ravaged weekend in the NRL forced the NSW coach to rethink his team for game one.on Monday morning, Daley also conceded his “toughest decision” remains who will fill the crucial Blues fullback role out of incumbent Dylan Edwards and evergreen Roosters back James Tedesco.
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The Blues are two weeks out from naming their starting side ahead of the Origin series opener on May 27. Even so, Daley’s selection window narrowed over the weekend with a syndesmosis injury effectively sidelining winger Mark Nawaqanitawase for the series, while back-rower and Blues regular Angus Chrichton came from the field early for the Roosters with suspected medial ligament damage, and will await scans.
In separate blows for Blues selectors, Adam Doueihi suffered a shoulder injury while Kotoni Staggs will await the fallout of a potential suspension, after he dropped his elbow on the Roosters’ Hugo Savala. The Brisbane centre has been considered a potential replacement for Stephen Crichton, who continues his return from injury at the Bulldogs.
Nawaqanitawase had been firming for the Blues wing spot on the opposite side of the field to incumbent Brian To’o before the injury, filling in for Jacob Kiraz. Campbell Graham, Josh Addo-Carr and Tom Jenkins have all been named as potential replacements.
“All those three will be considered,” Daley confirmed on Monday, before revealing a couple of other potential suitors. “You’ve got the option of possibly picking Tolu Koula on the wing – he’s someone that is very versatile, plays centres, playing fullback at the moment for Manly. He’s someone that could play out on a wing.
“Casey McLean has played wing for New Zealand before, and I’ve got a huge opinion of Casey and think he’s a wonderful player. He’s another one that we will look at. Tommy Jenkins has obviously been playing there, you know what you’re going to get with the Fox , Brian To’o – we’ve got a lot of players to choose from.
”Daley revealed Doueihi had been firming for a spot on the NSW bench as a utility, after starring at halfback in the Tigers’ opening rounds of the season.
“I feel sorry for Adam because a shoulder dislocation or even a shoulder subluxation means you spend a couple of weeks on the sidelines. He’s a guy that could play a number of positions as a utility and you’ve got to carry someone like that on the interchange bench,” Daley said of the 27-year-old.
“You want to cover someone that can play outside backs, halves – he was right in the conversation. Unfortunately for him, he might not get that chance but you have to wait to see what the X-rays say. ” With all that said, Daley revealed his biggest unknown is who will fill the Blues fullback spot. Dylan Edwards is the incumbent and has been in strong form for Penrith, but James Tedesco offers Daley another salivating choice.
The NSW coach said he would be more inclined to pick both, running one off the bench, rather than using Tedesco or Edwards for the vacant winger position.
“I think they’re both dead-set fullbacks. I think they’re out-and-out fullbacks and I don’t think it would be fair. We’ve just got to make a tough decision there on who misses out,” Daley said.
“ has just elevated himself again and Dylan, you know what you’ll get from Dylan. “That will be one of our toughest decisions, which way we go there. But both are in great form, both are very important members of a footy team and both would get the job done. I’d be happy either way.
”New South Wales is seeking redemption in 2026 after Queensland won last year’s series in the opening two games. The Origin opener will be held at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday, May 27.
“You’re always writing down names. You’re writing a list of what your team could look like, and when you’re talking to the other coaches you get their feedback on what we think is the best team. It chops and changes from one week to another depending on injuries,” Daley said. The Blues’ bulging injury ward now includes the aforementioned names, plus Payne Haas, Jacob Kiraz, Max King, Tom Trbojevic, Mitch Kenny and Liam Martin.
“It’s opportunity,” Daley told Sky’s BSB. “It’s opportunity for someone to put their hand up and someone to play in those roles. “We’ve always said that you’d never pick a team until you get to the final weekend and watch the final game to see who’s available. It’s always difficult to know who’s going to be there and who won’t be. ”
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