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Last season saw six players make their Origin debuts, with Max King adding his name to the New South Wales list of individuals to feature on the game\u2019s biggest stage.<\/p>\n
Now, who\u2019s next?<\/p>\n
Foxsports.com.au examines who could make their debut for the NSW Blues in Game 1 of the 2026 State of Origin series.<\/p>\n
ADAM DOUEIHI<\/p>\n
Called into the New South Wales camp as part of the extended squad for last year\u2019s opening Origin match, Douehi has emerged as a bolter for this year\u2019s series due to his great form at club level with the Tigers.<\/p>\n
A key reason behind the Tigers sitting at the top of the ladder, he has taken his game to new heights since being handed the No.7 jersey and accompanying Jarome Luai in the halves.<\/p>\n
While he won\u2019t force his way into the starting line-up, his ability to play in the halves, at fullback, in the centres and even in the forwards makes him a prime candidate to be named on the six-man bench.<\/p>\n
Adam Doueihi.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE<\/p>\n
One of the biggest beneficiaries of the new Origin eligibility rules, Fonua-Blake is set to make his long-awaited debut for the Blues this year.<\/p>\n
An elite front-rower of the NRL, his selection will see him create a formidable combination with anyone who has selected in the middle and will need to stand up following an injury to Payne Haas, which could very well prove the difference in the Blues winning back the shield.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I am lucky or blessed enough to get a call on the day, then I will take that opportunity with both hands,\u201d Fonua-Blake has been quoted as saying earlier this season. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am definitely passionate (about the Sky Blue jersey). I will put my heart into the job.\u201d<\/p>\n
BLAYKE BRAILEY<\/p>\n
It\u2019s still a shock that Brailey has never played Origin. <\/p>\n
Taking his game to a new level over the past few seasons, he is coming off his best year to date and was rewarded with a spot in Australia\u2019s squad for the 2025 Ashes Series.<\/p>\n
All but certain to make his debut for the Blues this year, it will all depend on whether coach Laurie Daley will want to shake up his spine and stick with incumbent hooker Reece Robson.<\/p>\n
Blayke Brailey.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope I do get the opportunity soon to put on that Blues jersey. I definitely want to take that but at the same time I want to earn it,\u201d Brailey told foxsports.com.au in February. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve watched the Blues from afar and bleed blue. Obviously, I want to be in that space and the Australian side as well (for the 2026 RLWC). <\/p>\n
\u201cI got a taste of being in that (Kangaroos) squad and I definitely want more. But I know that just comes off the back of club-land and how you play there and how you perform. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe first step to getting there is playing well for the Sharks. I\u2019ll be doing everything I can for the club here to hopefully get my opportunity there (for the Blues and Kangaroos).\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike O’Connor Face to Face | Teaser | 00:59<\/p>\n
CASEY MCLEAN<\/p>\n
A four-time New Zealand international, no one would have imagined at the beginning of the year that McLean would be in Origin contention but months later he has been a main reason behind Penrith\u2019s outstanding form.<\/p>\n
A former Under-19s NSW Blues representative, he has been dubbed as one of the best centres and if selection was purely based on form, he would easily be making his debut in the opening game of the series.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I suppose so,\u201d McLean told foxsports.com.au in February when asked if he wants to represent the Blues. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a really tough decision (to play for New Zealand and not the Blues at the time) but at the end of the day, I wanted to represent my family and where I come from. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut I put on that Under-19s jersey to represent where I\u2019m from, so that\u2019d be a cool thing. <\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up in New South Wales and playing my junior footy back in Penrith, it\u2019ll be cool to represent that side, but then also stay with my roots and where I want to represent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Casey McLean.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
ETHAN STRANGE<\/p>\n
Floated by NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley as a potential Origin bolter, Ethan Strange has all the makings to have a long career in the representative arena, but the only question is when he will make his debut.<\/p>\n
Getting a taste of representative football at the back end of last year with the Australian Kangaroos, Strange could easily slot onto the extended bench, especially due to his versatility to play in the halves and in the outside backs.<\/p>\n
\u201cEthan Strange is starting to play his best football and I thought he was terrific against Melbourne the other night,\u201d NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s someone we think is going to be a future Origin player. Hopefully, he\u2019ll continue to play the way he is and put pressure on the incumbents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ethan Strange.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
JACOB PRESTON<\/p>\n
If Blues coach Laurie Daley was choosing his team on form, Jacob Preston would be an automatic selection into the side.<\/p>\n
Currently in his fourth NRL season, Preston is a try-scoring machine for the Bulldogs and has been a consistent member of their forward pack, especially when it comes to the ability to hit holes in the defensive line.<\/p>\n
Already earning the backing of several individuals, such as Chad Townsend, his chances of being selected increased even more after Liam Martin remained in doubt after suffering an MCL injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a massive dream of mine. It\u2019s something I\u2019ve wanted to do ever since I was a little kid,\u201d Preston told the NewsWire. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll I can do is take it week by week playing good football for the Bulldogs. As long as we\u2019re winning games, we\u2019ll be in contention for those spots, and a lot of other boys will be too. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo if I play good footy, then whatever happens from there, happens from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacob Preston.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
JACKSON FORD<\/p>\n
Currently on the top of the Dally M leaderboard – and four points clear of second – Ford is in career-best form at the moment and wouldn\u2019t look out of place in the Blues jersey if given the opportunity.<\/p>\n
Born in Shellharbour, Ford has excelled in the middle of the field for the Warriors, and an injury blow to Payne Haas could see him directly slot into the front row, where you can expect consistency on both ends of the field.<\/p>\n
In the opening seven matches of the season, he has scored three tries, provided multiple try assists, made four line-breaks, 274 tackles and averaged 182 running metres per game.<\/p>\n
\u201cJackson Ford is one of those guys will go in there and do his job,\u201d Maroons legend Gorden Tallis said on NRL 360.<\/p>\n
Dean Ritchie added, \u201cThese are blokes the Blues are looking at. Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jacob Kiraz, Fletcher Sharpe, Tolu Koula and Jackson Ford.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jackson Ford.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
MARK NAWAQANITAWASE<\/p>\n
Earning a Kangaroos call-up at the end of last season, Mark Nawaqanitawase will come into Origin contention for this year\u2019s series as coach Laurie Daley looks to replace Zac Lomax on the wing after he jumped codes to rugby union.<\/p>\n
An exhilarating talent, Nawaqanitawase can change the game in an instant and is made for the representative arena with his speed, aerial ability, vision and X-factor attacking ability.<\/p>\n
\u201cFood for thought for the NSW side, he\u2019ll be in contention,\u201d Steve Roach said on Fox League.<\/p>\n
Blues coach Laurie Daley added, \u201cHe was in the squad earlier this year when we got together and had a chat about this year\u2019s series. He\u2019s been so impressive since he\u2019s come across from rugby union.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll options are on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mark Nawaqanitawase.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
THOMAS JENKINS<\/p>\n
The competition\u2019s top try-scorer, Jenkins, is having a standout campaign with the Panthers in 2026, which has seen him score a whopping 16 tries in the opening seven matches and has recorded more than two tries in every single match to date.<\/p>\n
Adding 28 tackle busts, 12 line-breaks and 1407 total running metres to his stats sheet, he would be a suitable replacement for Zac Lomax in the vacant spot on the wing.<\/p>\n
Also an aerial threat, his chances of playing Origin will be increased if more of his Panthers\u2019 teammates are selected, such as Casey McLean in the centres, due to their formidable partnership.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just doing the right things for Penrith at the moment, which at the end of the day is what you\u2019ve got to do – play good for your club side,\u201d former NSW captain Paul Gallen said on 2GB\u2019s Continuous Call Team. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re going good enough for your club side, things can turn out the right way for you and you can be in the sky blue jersey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Are Melbourne Storm still an elite team? | 04:54<\/p>\n
TOLUTAU KOULA<\/p>\n
Going from strength to strength with the Sea Eagles since his debut in 2022, Koula is one of the most impressive attacking players in the NRL and has been near unstoppable to defend in one-on-one situations and down the edge in the centres.<\/p>\n
A revelation in the back-line, Koula is one of the fastest players in the NRL and would tear the Maroons to shreds with his lightning pace, impressive power and ability to evade defenders.<\/p>\n
With the introduction of the six-man interchange bench, don\u2019t be surprised if he is selected by coach Laurie Daley as a special-list X-factor to play limited minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would hate to see Tolu Koula on the bench for New South Wales. He scares me. He is lightning,\u201d Code Sports\u2019 Brent Read said, who is an avid Queensland fan.<\/p>\n
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