Blues announce new-look team for Origin opener

Westpac New South Wales Blues coach Michael Maguire has named several new faces as part of his squad for the Ampol State of Origin series opener on June 5 at Accor Stadium. 

Maguire has made a host of changes to the Blues side that triumphed in Game Three of the 2023 series, with Jake Trbojevic to lead the side as captain after he was appointed skipper in place of James Tedesco.

Tedesco has featured in every game for the Blues since his debut in Game Three of the 2016 season, including the last 11 as captain after taking over the role from Boyd Cordner midway through the 2020 campaign, but has been left out of the squad for in-form Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards.

Edwards is one of six debutants named by Maguire, including Joseph Suaali'i, Zac Lomax, Cameron McInnes, Spencer Leniu and Haumole Olakau’atu.

McInnes has been named to start at lock with Isaah Yeo named on the bench, while Panthers teammate Liam Martin is set to start in the back row despite battling a hamstring injury against the Sharks on Saturday.

Nicho Hynes has been named at halfback with Jarome Luai at five-eighth despite failing to finish in Cronulla's heavy defeat to Penrith over the weekend.

Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton, who holds utility value after featuring at centre for the Blues in 2022, has been named as cover for Hynes in the squad as 18th Man, along with Roosters playmaker Luke Keary.

The Blues will spend the week in Katoomba in preparation for Game One before returning to Sydney for final preparations ahead of the series opener.