Every NSW Blues player picked for 2024 series: Bradman Best back in Blue after cruel injury blow forces changes
Updated . First published
Madge puts his mark on NSW Blues
New Blues coach Michael Maguire has put his imprint on the NSW side, selecting some new faces along with some experienced heads as he takes charge of his first Origin series.
He's axed the likes of Origin veterans James Tedesco - the incumbent captain and fullback - and winger Josh Addo-Carr.
Scroll on to see who he picked in the Blues squads for the first two games of the 2024 series, with the changes from Origin I to Origin II highlighted.
James Tedesco
The champion fullback missed out on selection for game one, before being called back in late to replace the injured Dylan Edwards.
Tedesco was dropped for game two and his career at the Origin level appears to be all-but over.
Brian To'o
The Samoan dynamo has been considered the best winger in the world for about three years now and he was one of the few automatic picks in Maguire's squad for both games.
Stephen Crichton
The 23-year-old has established himself as arguably the best centre in the NRL and has carried his superb form as a premiership star with the Panthers to the Bulldogs, where he has captained the side into top eight contention.
A superb defender and a well-rounded attacker, Crichton would have been a certain selection even before all his competition for centre spots went down with injuries.
Joseph Suaalii
The Roosters gun is off to rugby next year but that didn't stop Maguire from giving him his first NSW jersey in a backline that has been beset by injuries.
The 20-year-old's debut for the Blues lasted just seven minutes before he was sent off for a sickening high shot on Maroons fullback Reece Walsh. He was subsequently suspended, putting him out of the side for Origin II.
Zac Lomax
After being disappointed by his club coach's decision to move him from centre to wing at the start of this season, the 24-year-old has had a career-best year and has earned a first blue jersey with form that was impossible to ignore. Retained for Origin II.
Jarome Luai
The Panthers star was a mainstay in the NSW side under Brad Fittler before being dropped for the dead rubber game three last year.
Was in a battle to reclaim his jersey under Maguire and in the end he benefited from all the injured playmakers who went down before the Origin I team was named. He kept his place for game two.
Nicho Hynes
The Sharks gun was devastated by his part in a defensive mistake that led to a late Maroons victory in his only Origin game to date after he was brought on from the bench with less than 10 minutes remaining and asked to play an unfamiliar role at centre.
It's a completely different scenario this year, with Hynes given the keys to the team on the back of a season and a half of excellent form for Cronulla.
His opportunity at halfback lasted just one game, with Mitchell Moses back for game two.
Jake Trbojevic (c)
The heart and soul of Manly plays lock at club level but has been a regular up front for NSW due to his incredible defensive ability.
Has never let the Blues down and is a perfect man to have on the field for the opening exchanges.
Trbojevic leads the side after the decision to drop James Tedesco.
Reece Robson
Came in to replace the injured Koroisau for game two last year and started before dropping back to the bench for game three, which the Blues won.
The skilful 25-year-old was a revelation when the Cowboys went on a big run in 2022 but has struggled to consistently perform at his top level as his club has slid down the ladder.
Still, he was impressive in his two Origin appearances last year and that may have been enough to give him another shot under Maguire.
