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The Mole: 'Toughest decision' facing Kangaroos coach after State of Origin epic
Origin guns steaming towards green and gold
If an Australian team was picked today after the Blues' Origin series win, it would be dominated by players from the victorious NSW team.
In a changing of the guard, 10 Blues would make the squad. And even more would play for the Kangaroos but for the fact that three of Wednesday night's stars - Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton and Brian To'o - are Samoan internationals.
All three would have been certain Aussie selections, which would have resulted in Queensland having a mere four players in the 17-man squad.
Scroll on to see who makes the team.
1. Dylan Edwards
Penrith's Dylan Edwards outplayed the dynamic Reece Walsh over the series in possibly the toughest decision Mal Meninga has to make.
Walsh is the game's most brilliant attacking player, but Edwards is safe as houses and keep churning out the metres with the football.
2. Selwyn Cobbo
Came off the bench following Reece Walsh's injury in game one and terrorised the Blues.
Was dropped for game then relatively quiet in the decider at Suncorp but has obvious talent to burn.
3. Bradman Best
Bradman Best - with three tries in two Origins to his name - is another newcomer ready for Test football.
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
The Cowboys flyer continued his incredible Orgin tryscoring run with a hat-trick in the first game, then another in game two.
The Hammer was kept quiet in game three by Stephen Crichton who, as previously mentioned, has pledged his international allegiance to Samoa.
5. Zac Lomax
Zac Lomax is now the best winger in the game and should be a certainty to win his maiden Test cap.
6. Tom Dearden
With Luai unavailable, Maroon Tom Dearden would be another to wear the green and gold for the first time, alongside Mitchell Moses who had a couple of moments of magic in the decider.
7. Mitchell Moses
Missed game one due to injury but returned for games two and three and proved he belongs at this level.
The silky halfback was clinical in game two and then scored the decisive try in the decider in enemy territory, before rupturing a biceps.
8. Lindsay Collins
The tough Roosters prop who never took a backward step and kept fighting even when his Maroons were down for the count.
9. Harry Grant
Harry Grant had a tough time of it in games two and three this year and was hampered by injury niggles and head knocks.
But his class shines through and he's beaten out NSW rake Reece Robson to this jersey.