'He did nothing wrong': Laurie Daley explains brutal axing as Teddy recalled, six Blues debutants named

James Tedesco will don the No.1 jersey for the first time since 2024 after beating out Penrith's Dylan Edwards in Laurie Daly's NSW Blues team for game one.

Edwards, a four-time premiership winner, has been axed from the representative side, with six new faces named to take on the State of Origin arena in Sydney on May 27.

Tedesco and Edwards were locked in a neck-and-neck battle for the No.1 jersey but the reigning Dally M Medal winner ultimately pipped his younger rival.

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"It is always a tough position to be in when you have two outstanding players playing so well," Daley said on Monday morning.

"There wasn't much between them. Teddy has been there before, Dylan has done nothing wrong ... it was just more down to the style of football we want to play.

"Teddy is more dynamic and Dylan gets through a mountain of work. Just with what we want to do when we have the ball, I think we need to do a bit more. That is not to say that Dylan doesn't do that, but we just feel like the spine with Teddy ... it just gives us a few more opportunities to create a few more points.

"They both deserve to be in the squad but we can only find a place for one. There was some discussion about one being on the bench but it wasn't the right fit.

"As you can imagine, (Edwards) took it as a professional. He is such a well-liked player and person. I spoke to him after the game last night and he was obviously disappointed.

"But if anything happens down the track and we need to call on Dylan, we know we have a really good player coming in."

Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary have been named to resume their partnership in the halves, while an injury to Latrell Mitchell has paved the way for Tolu Koula to debut on the wing, with Stephen Crichton and Kotoni Staggs getting the nod as the starting centres.

Koula is one of six debutants named along with Addin Fonua-Blake, Victor Radley, Blayke Brailey, Ethan Strange and Casey McLean.

Daley admitted Mitchell is likely to be recalled if he can recover from a back injury.

"I had a conversation with Latrell yesterday and he made it clear that he didn't want to let the team down," the coach said.

"He didn't feel like he was fit enough to get through an Origin contest.

"We all realise that Latrell Mitchell at his best is the most dangerous centre in the game. A fit and healthy Latrell Mitchell is always a bonus for any football team.

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"With new faces comes new energy. All these players deserve their positions.

"When you look at Tolu, his speed - he is such an advantage to have at Origin level. He has been some really good football, so I'm excited to see how he goes.

"Like any rookie he will be nervous ... When you are playing in a different position, decision you make in defence are crucial. Speaking to Kieran Foran at Manly, he has no doubt that if given an opportunity that he could handle it."

Daley had a similar feeling about selecting Radley in his squad, with the NSW coach admitting he has no plans to speak to his player about his propensity to overstep the line in the heat of battle.

"I picked Victor to be Victor," he said.

"I don't have to have a conversation with Victor. He brings intent and physicality."

Despite his excitement to see new faces take on the Origin arena, Daley is confident that all returning squad members will be able to fulfil the roles that they have been assigned.

He said has complete trust in Crichton, despuite an up and down season with the Bulldogs.

"I trust Critta. He is, in my opinion, one of the great leaders," Daley added.

"I thought he had been playing good footy. Unfortunately for him, the Bulldogs aren't playing well. But there are no issues from my end, he was always going to be in the team."

As for reflecting on last year's result, Daley said he wouldn't break down the 2-1 series loss too deeply as he prepares his side for this year's series.

"You have to be careful not to overanalyse," he said.

"(The result) lingered for a while but it is certainly not in my mind now. It does take its toll on you and take a while to get over.

"We did some good things well (last year), but we also have some areas to improve.

"Everyone in NSW should be excited. It is a good team and they will prepare well.

"You can expect a NSW team that will fight hard."

NSW BLUES GAME ONE TEAM

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. Mitchell Barnett 11. Hudson Young 12. Haumole Olakau'atu 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Cameron Murray 15. Victor Radley 16. Jacob Saifiti 17. Blayke Brailey 18. Ethan Strange 19. Casey McLean 20. Dylan Lucas