EXCLUSIVE: Phil Gould's shock warning to NSW selectors over Spencer Leniu 'gamble'

Phil Gould has issued a shock warning to NSW Blues selectors, urging them against selecting Roosters firebrand Spencer Leniu for the State of Origin opener.

The front-rower had a huge impact at times in last year's series as the Blues came back to regain the shield 2-1, coming off the bench in all three matches.

Leniu is an enigmatic and rare type of player in the modern game, where he is often utilised in short spurts in an attempt to make as much of an impact as possible.

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However, according to Gould, that might not be the best fit for Laurie Daley when he picks his squad for Suncorp Stadium at the end of round 11.

"I like Spencer - but I don't always buy the idea that you need a 10-minute impact player off the bench in Origin," he said on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles With Gus.

"[If you get] two HIAs and a sin bin or a send off, the complexion of your team changes dramatically straight away. Spencer Leniu has never, at any stage of his career, shown us that he can be a 70 or 80-minute performer at club level, let alone at Origin level.

"I don't think I would leave myself open to that. You can take the gamble and it was a successful gamble at times last year, because he can come on and ruffle a few feathers.

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"If you were looking to play Spencer for even 50 minutes, he's gonna get found out. He doesn't do that, he's never done that at club level.

"He's a powerful, off the bench unit that can scatter teams and make an impact.

"There's a place for that - but then you run the risk of 'what happens if' and you need to cover all contingencies. It's a gamble if you go with it."

In his three appearances at Origin level to date, Leniu averages 25 minutes per game - but his output has been brilliant with an average of 98 run metres per game.

In his place, Gould is pushing for the Blues to select four edge forwards in the 17-man group, as well as Terrell May to earn a debut in the front-row rotation.

Gould has Angus Crichton and Haumole Olakau'atu as his bench backrowers, with Canberra's Hudson Young and Penrith's Liam Martin starting.

Connor Watson will likely retain his spot as the bench utility - but Gould believes there needs to be a change in the spine for the first game of the series.

"My hooker is Api Koroisau, every day of the week," he said.

Phil Gould's NSW Blues forward pack and bench

8. Payne Haas 9. Api Koroisau 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Hudson Young 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Connor Watson 15. Terrell May 16. Angus Crichton 17. Haumole Olakau'atu