Phil Gould questions Paul Gallen's Tom Trbojevic selection as former Blues skipper makes five changes

Phil Gould has identified the one issue he has with Paul Gallen's side after the former Blues skipper named Tom Trbojevic on the wing.

On Monday, Gallen said it is time for Nathan Cleary to "step up" and assume the role of skipper for his state as he picked his 17 to run out for Origin I in just over two weeks' time.

Incoming Blues coach Laurie Daley is likely looking for a new captain as incumbent Jake Trbojevic is widely tipped to be axed from the team when it is named next Monday.

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Jake took the role from James Tedesco, who was State of Origin captain before being dumped last year by Michael Maguire.

Gallen says while Cleary's Penrith teammate Isaah Yeo is an obvious choice to do the job, he wants to see the 27-year-old halfback put his hand up.

"It is Cleary's time to step up," Gallen told Wide World of Sports.

"It's probably the one area he hasn't totally dominated and really nailed, I think it's the last frontier for him, so to speak.

"If he was NSW captain he would revel in that environment, he would love it."

Cleary is yet to captain NSW in his 14 Origin games to date.

He missed last year's victorious series through injury, but looks on track to return to the No.7 jersey for game one on May 28 in Brisbane.

Gallen is picking Cleary alongside his former longtime Panthers halves partner Jarome Luai, meaning Eels halfback Mitchell Moses will miss out.

The Blues legend has also dumped Bradman Best from last year's winning side in favour of Latrell Mitchell.

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Mitchell stunned the NRL on Friday night when he nailed a 50-metre South Sydney field goal to beat the Broncos.

"When you look at Latrell's game on the weekend he wasn't overly active the first 78 minutes," Gallen said.

"But when the game's on the line he came alive. It's just what he does.

"You can't not have him there (in Origin). He's a big-game player, in big moments he comes out, and Origin is about big moments. I think he's got to be there."

Gallen has also picked Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic on the wing in what would be his first Origin game since mid-2023.

Trbojevic played the first three of his 10 games for the Blues on the wing, and has also been used at centre to great effect.

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"I'd love to see him play fullback for NSW, he's never had the opportunity to, but even yesterday he didn't look overly free to me," Gallen said.

"His body language at times isn't always great, and I saw him yesterday look to the sideline once or twice, so I don't know how bad that knee is.

"When he is fit - and hopefully he's as fit as he can be at the moment - he doesn't miss big opportunities when they come and I think he's got to be there.

"(Zac) Lomax hasn't played for a long time (due to injury) so whether he's going to be right or not remains to be seen. He may have a blinder this week and play himself into the team."'

On Nine's 100% Footy, Gould questioned that call.

"I'm really interested, why would you be picking Turbo on the wing?," he said.

Gallen reasoned that he has to pick Mitchell at centre over Trbojevic and added the latter is good enough to produce quality kick return metres.

"Why isn't he tough enough to bring the ball out of trouble? That seems to be the perception people have of him, that he's not a Brian To'o ... he's a big bloke. How much bigger do you want him to be?," he replied.

Gould believes it will be a simple hard luck story for Trbojevic.

"You've got Latrell and Stephen Crichton, I don't know how he gets in the centres. I don't know why you'd pick him on the wing?," he said.

"He's an outstanding player. I think it'll be an absolute tragedy if he goes through his whole career and at a period of time doesn't wear the No.1 for NSW but there are so many great fullbacks around.

"Unfortunately you've got to leave blokes out, you just can't give them a second prize and play them on the wing because they didn't make their position. Pick your fullback, get a winger. Why are we playing a fullback on the wing? I love you Turbo, but not on the wing."

Gallen has also picked Tigers prop Terrell May to make his Blues debut, with Jake Trbojevic axed from the side.

Paul Gallen's game one Blues team

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To'o 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Latrell Mitchell 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary (c) 8. Payne Haas 9. Reece Robson 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Angus Crichton 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Terrell May 17. Hudson Young