The men\u2019s series begins at Accor Stadium on May 27 while the women will first be in action on April 30 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, with squads for that series expected to be announced later this week. <\/p>\n
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Meanwhile, NRL players still have around a month to prove themselves to Daley and Queensland coach Billy Slater as new eligibility rules open the door for a host of new faces to press their claims. <\/p>\n
While the make-up of both men\u2019s squads is unknown at this stage, Daley gave a hint as to how he could take advantage of the six-man benches this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there is a great opportunity for that (debutants) to happen,\u201d Daley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe game has got a lot quicker. You\u2019re carrying six people on the bench so it gives us a bit of flexibility to include some of those young, powerful guys with a bit of speed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two names that have been locked in for this year\u2019s series, pending injury, are the respective captains: Isaah Yeo and Cameron Munster.<\/p>\n
Speaking at Monday\u2019s launch, Munster joked he was at risk of being dropped given Melbourne\u2019s poor start to the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s special,\u201d Munster said of Game 2, which will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cBill spoke about how we haven\u2019t had a great record here, and the same in Perth last year, so hopefully we can find a win because I can\u2019t find one at the moment. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo be still captain, I\u2019ve been ringing Bill the last couple of days to make sure he doesn\u2019t put a line through me at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n ‘Cleary can dominate Origin’ Yeo | 03:44<\/p>\n Munster was at his cheeky best on Monday, while coach Slater was in a more serious mood as he faced questions not just on Queensland, but Melbourne\u2019s early season slump and the Dragons\u2019 decision to fire head coach Shane Flanagan. <\/p>\n But on the topic of the upcoming State of Origin series and the new eligibility rules specifically, Slater said he didn\u2019t expect it to change things too much.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one thing about the eligibility rules is it doesn\u2019t change a whole heap for State of Origin,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, the international game might change a little bit and we might see a few players selecting different countries and different nationalities to play for. But I think State of Origin will be very similar to what\u2019s been in the last few years.\u201d<\/p>\n Daley fielded more specific questions about what his Blues squad could look like, confirming it is a two-way shootout between Dylan Edwards and James Tedesco for the fullback jumper.<\/p>\n \u201cHe (Tedesco) and Dylan are both playing great,\u201d Daley said.<\/p>\n \u201cTeddy was outstanding yesterday. Very rarely does he play poorly and that\u2019s a good sign for the Roosters and a good sign for New South Wales because you want people to be on their toes and you want them to be in-form coming into Origin and like I said to the players when we caught up earlier this year, it\u2019ll come down to whoever is playing the best. <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the fairest way you can do it and that\u2019s the way we will do it.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n TEAM TIPS: Dragons\u2019 cleanout on the cards after Flanno sacking; Bulldogs\u2019 huge boost <\/a><\/p>\n