We’re just under a month until the first State of Origin game for 2026, and NSW coach Laurie Daley is facing a number of massive decisions. The Blues coach is under the pump after a series loss from 1-0 up in 2025, and he’s lost his right-hand man in Storm mentor Craig Bellamy.
He’s also lost assistant coach Dean Young and replaced him with Boyd Cordner, and is facing a number of changes in the playing ranks as well. Yahoo Sport Australia has run the rule over the players in contention and predicted the 19-player team that Daley might pick.
NSW coach Laurie Daley has some big decisions to make. Image: Getty
(Getty)
It’s bad news for Roosters fans (or good depending on how you look at it), with incumbent players Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu axed. There’s no room for James Tedesco with Dylan Edwards cementing his spot in recent weeks, and Kangaroos forward Angus Crichton has been relegated to the bench due to the stellar form of Hudson Young and Jacob Preston.
Mark Nawaqanitawase will make his debut on the wing ahead of other options like Campbell Graham and Casey McLean, while Addin Fonua-Blake and Jackson Ford will step into the void left by Payne Haas’ injury in the front row. Reece Robson will retain his spot at hooker despite calls for Blayke Brailey to get the nod, but Daley will carry Brailey on the bench and use his running game later in the match when the middle forwards tire.
Isaah Yeo to come off interchange bench
Panthers captain Isaah Yeo will come off the bench with Cameron Murray starting at lock, which is the way Michael Maguire went when NSW last won Origin in 2024. Yeo has shown to be much more dynamic when starting on the bench in the Origin arena.
Tigers forward Terrell May will make his Origin debut off the bench after being overlooked in 2025, as will club teammate Adam Doeuihi. Tigers halfback Doeuihi can cover the halves, fullback, centre and back-row, and shapes as the perfect utility to carry on the bench – especially as he’s in career-best form.
There’s no room for Connor Watson or Spencer Leniu.
(Cameron Spencer via Getty Images)
And Daley will also carry Kotoni Staggs in his 19 in case of an injury in the outside backs. The likes of McLean, Ethan Strange and Tom Jenkins could also come into calculations for the 19th spot.
Other incumbent players missing are Liam Martin and Max King, who are both out injured and battling to retain their spots anyway. It means the Blues would have seven debutants in Nawaqanitawase, Fonua-Blake, Ford, Preston, Brailey, May and Doeuihi.
Predicted NSW team for State of Origin 1: