Updated ,first published
Latrell Mitchell ruled himself out of Origin I with a back injury, while Manly speedster Tolu Koula looks set to make his Blues’ debut.
Laurie Daley will name his NSW side early Monday, but there was drama on Sunday when it emerged Mitchell had made himself available after injuring himself on Friday night during South Sydney’s loss to the Dolphins.
The 28-year-old woke up on Sunday feeling sore, and then removed himself from the Origin conversation for the sake of both the Blues and Souths.
Blues skipper Isaah Yeo praised Mitchell for being so selfless, and said late Sunday: “It’s disappointing for him because he’s been in outstanding form. He’s one of those players who gives everyone confidence on the field, particularly when he’s in a mood.
“It was really selfless. If you ask him, nobody wants to play for his state more, particularly what he has done on that arena.”
Yeo said there were a lot of happy Penrith players in the sheds after their win over the Dragons, but did not want to name the teammates who would be joining him in Origin I on May 27 at Accor Stadium. Casey McLean and Tom Jenkins, who bagged a double against the Dragons to take his season tally to 18, were also in the NSW conversation.
“It’s a surprise for tomorrow morning – there are obviously some very happy boys in there,” Yeo said.
“We’re sitting on top of the ladder, so you’d like to think that puts players in the position to be looked at [by selectors].”
Nathan Cleary and Brian To’o will return for the Blues, Canberra have Hudson Young and Ethan Strange, Mitchell Moses will partner Cleary in the halves, while South Sydney’s Cameron Murray is back after missing last year’s series with an achilles injury.
Manly’s resurgence under coach Kieran Foran helped Koula and Haumole Olakau’atu make the cut.
“He’s incredibly fast, he has great balance, and he’s a game-breaker,” Yeo said about Koula.
“He has X-factor, and when he gets in the clear, there are not many people stopping him.”
Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton is also expected to retain his place at right centre, despite featuring in a misfiring Bulldogs team that has lost five games in a row.
Crichton had been in danger of losing his NSW spot amid Canterbury’s drastic slide, but the Blues are poised to keep the faith in the three-time Penrith premiership winner. The 25-year-old has played in the last 12 State Origin games for NSW.
Reece Robson, who has been the Blues hooker for the past eight State of Origin games, was considered likely to extend his run in the representative arena, with Cronulla’s Blayke Brailey also tipped to make his Origin debut.
Under the rules, the 20th player for NSW and Queensland will each return to their club next week.
However, the 20th player in the NSW squad will come from a team that has the bye, meaning they can remain in State Origin camp.
Clubs were told that players chosen would receive a phone call from Daley after the Panthers-Dragons clash. Clubs with players selected would then be contacted by Blues football manager Frank Ponissi.
Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga, meanwhile, said he was prepared to take on any role for Queensland amid speculation he would be chosen as the Maroons halfback.
“I’ll play anywhere,” Ponga said. “I know what I’m like, when I get my head on I get excited by challenges.
“Obviously, fullback is my position but like I said I’ll play anywhere for Queensland.”
Ponga played two games in the No.7 jersey for former club North Queensland in the old under-20s competition in 2016 and 2017 but has not worn the jersey since.
Picking him there would allow the Maroons to include either Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow or Reece Walsh at fullback.
Former NSW coach Brad Fittler said talk of playing Ponga in the halves was “terrifying”, but the Blues and a back-rower like Young would do everything to work him over defending in the front line.
“[Cameron] Munster and Harry Grant are experienced enough to control the kicking game,” Fittler told this masthead.
“Kalyn being at first receiver, and being able to get more ball, it would be terrifying.
“But the problem is Kalyn will need to stand in the front line, and will most probably have Hudson Young going at him; defensively he will need to stand up and make his tackles.”
Roosters and Maroons centre Rob Toia was being monitored over a head knock.
Queensland will also name their team on Monday morning.
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Chris Barrett is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former South-East Asia correspondent for the Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.
