{"id":677941,"date":"2026-05-18T04:38:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T04:38:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/677941\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T04:38:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T04:38:10","slug":"state-of-origin-2026-winners-and-losers-from-nsw-blues-squad-announcement-biggest-snubs-debutants-dylan-edwards-dropped","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/677941\/","title":{"rendered":"State of Origin 2026: Winners and losers from NSW Blues squad announcement, biggest snubs, debutants, Dylan Edwards dropped"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NSW Blues squad is in for Game 1<\/a>, with James Tedesco getting the nod over Dylan Edwards while a Dally M medal contender was unlucky to miss out.<\/p>\n

Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n

Here, foxsports.com.au looks at the biggest winners and losers from Monday\u2019s squad announcement.<\/p>\n

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WINNERS<\/p>\n

James Tedesco<\/p>\n

Conjecture over who would win the coveted fullback position has been a hot topic over the past month.<\/p>\n

Incumbent Dylan Edwards has been a stable hand for a dominant Panthers outfit this season, but in the end, Tedesco\u2019s irresistible run at the Roosters couldn\u2019t be overlooked by Daley.<\/p>\n

Tedesco is called back into the Blues starting side for the first time since Game 1 of the 2024 series. He has been incredible at the Roosters this season, averaging more than 230 running metres and showing his maturity when it matters, helping steer the side in attack and defence and injecting composure in the big moments.<\/p>\n

According to Daley, it was Tedesco\u2019s fitment within the Blues playing structures that gave him the nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always a tough position to be in when you have two outstanding players playing so well,\u201d Daley said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere wasn\u2019t much between them. Teddy has been there before, Dylan as done nothing wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s more about the style of football we want to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE ORIGIN NEWS<\/p>\n

QLD TEAM: Shock late halves change; superstar snubbed in FIVE debuts<\/a><\/p>\n

QLD WINNERS AND LOSERS: Broncos\u2019 boost… and a \u2018special\u2019 star\u2019s rise<\/a><\/p>\n

‘Tough call’ Why Tedesco was picked | 01:01<\/p>\n

Stephen Crichton and Kotoni Staggs<\/p>\n

Well, by all reports Daley was set to show faith in Crichton and pick him ahead of Staggs for Game 1. But in the end, Daley\u2019s hand was forced by Latrell Mitchell.<\/p>\n

The Rabbitohs centre made the selfless decision to rule himself out of Game 1 after reaggravating his back injury against the Dolphins, which put Staggs back into contention.<\/p>\n

Newcastle\u2019s Bradman Best may have also came into calculations had he not gone down with a calf injury, while Tolu Koula was also an option for Daley but better suited as a versatile impact player off the bench.<\/p>\n

Instead, Crichton will have another chance to remind people that he is one of the best big-game players in the league while Staggs gets a long-awaited Origin call-up.<\/p>\n

The Broncos centre last played in the Origin arena during the 2022 series, which he had cut short by a shoulder injury. It has been 1,449 days since Staggs\u2019 debut and while he hasn\u2019t got a look-in since, that has largely been a product of NSW\u2019s enviable depth at the centre position.<\/p>\n

Whether it was Crichton, Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic or Bradman Best, the Blues have been spoiled for choice.<\/p>\n

Staggs has consistently been one of Brisbane\u2019s best players in recent years and coach Michael Maguire said earlier in the year that the 27-year-old is made for the representative stage.<\/p>\n

Staggs is back in the Origin arena. (Photo by Cameron Spencer\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cI might be a bit biased, but I think Kotoni is one of the best centres in the game at the moment,\u201d Maguire declared after Staggs played through a footy injury in a 32-12 win over the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith Origin ahead, that he\u2019s really being talked about in that space.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe understands that space and for him to battle with what he\u2019s been going through in the last two weeks and do what he\u2019s done for his teammates, that\u2019s the ANZAC spirit.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s also too the ability for a player to play through the things he has. And that\u2019s Origin, that\u2019s in the Origin space. So it\u2019s really great to see one of our players performing like that for their teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haumole Olakau\u2019atu<\/p>\n

Like several Manly stars, Olakau\u2019atu had a sluggish start to the season, but since Kieran Foran has taken over, he\u2019s grown a leg.<\/p>\n

Olakau\u2019atu has been unbelievable, particularly in the past month. His form on the right edge for Manly has been so good that he simply made it impossible for Laurie Daley to leave him out, despite the abundance of second row depth the Blues have to choose from. <\/p>\n

As former Maroons coach Kevin Walters said, Olakau\u2019atu is playing the best football of his career under Foran.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat he (Foran) has done really well is get his players playing to their strengths. Haumole Olakau\u2019atu on that edge, since Kieran has jumped in the seat, his run metres have gone through the roof and he\u2019s become this destructive player we know he can be,\u201d Walters said.<\/p>\n

If he wasn\u2019t picked before Magic Round, he made Daley\u2019s decision easy after decimating the Tigers. <\/p>\n

Olakau\u2019atu ran for 204 metres, scored a try, had 11 tackle busts and three line breaks. <\/p>\n

Following the game, Manly half Jamal Fogarty was effusive in his praise.<\/p>\n

I think the Blues are kidding if they don\u2019t pick him… what else does he have to do to be selected?\u201d teammate Jamal Fogarty told Fox League post-game.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been there before and the last six weeks he\u2019s been destructive.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Fogarty reference, Olakau\u2019atu has been there before. He played two games off the bench in 2024.<\/p>\n

He was solid without making too much of an impact in those. He\u2019ll be much better for that experience<\/p>\n

There was no such honour last year with injuries disrupting his 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n

Haumole Olakau’atu is back in blue. (Photo by Matt King\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Newcastle Knights<\/p>\n

What a turnaround for last year\u2019s wooden spooners under Justin Holbrook.<\/p>\n

The Knights were one of the early season surprise packets and while it was always expected that Kalyn Ponga would get the call-up for Queensland, the same can\u2019t be said for teammates Jacob Saifiti and Dylan Lucas.<\/p>\n

Daley had plenty of options to choose from in the NSW forward pack, but the fact he went for two in-form Knights speaks volumes to just how well the side is performing under Holbrook in his first year in charge.<\/p>\n

Saifiti last played for the Blues in Game 3 of the 2023 series while Lucas has been named as 20th man, so he is at this stage unlikely to play but it is still a credit to his impressive form on the edge that he earned a spot despite his injury setback earlier this year.<\/p>\n

Laurie Daley names Blues team for Game I | 05:40<\/p>\n

Ricky Stuart <\/p>\n

The Raiders coach will be without some key players in Ethan Strange and Hudson Young this week against the Dolphins, but at least he should be able to take some comfort in knowing Young will be used properly.<\/p>\n

Stuart had been incredibly vocal about the way Young had been treated in the Origin arena, having bounced in and out of the side and when he did play he was given limited playing time off the bench.<\/p>\n

\u201cI personally think the way he\u2019s been treated in Origin over the last two series has been disgraceful,\u201d Stuart said in 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re looking for loyalty and passion for the jumper, but you\u2019ve got to give a little bit too.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is one of the challenges of being an Origin coach given most second rowers picked are used to playing the full 80 minutes in club land, which makes it a challenge to get into the rhythm of the game when coming off the bench.<\/p>\n

That shouldn\u2019t be an issue for Young this time around, with the Raiders second rower given his best chance yet to lock down a starting spot for the Blues for the entire series.<\/p>\n

Hudson Young has a big opportunity. Picture: Jonathan NgSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n

The new eligiblity rules <\/p>\n

New Origin eligibility rules mean that both NSW and Queensland can cast a wider net with their selections for 2026.<\/p>\n

Under the changes, players can now choose to play for New Zealand or England without compromising their Origin status, so long as they are already eligible for New South Wales or Queensland. To be eligible, the player must have lived in NSW or Queensland prior to their 13th birthday, or had their father play for either state.<\/p>\n

There are a host of beneficiaries for NSW, with Addin Fonua-Blake, Casey McLean and Victor Radley all named in Daley\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Fonua-Blake played a single game for New Zealand in 2017, and pairs with Warriors enforcer Mitch Barnett in the NSW front row, helping fill the void for injured Payne Haas. Radley had previously pledged his allegiance to England, and is one of the surprise Blues call ups.<\/p>\n

\u201cAddin over the last couple of weeks has done really well. He\u2019s a guy that carries the ball forward really well, and for me he\u2019s just suited for Origin,\u201d Daley said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you go down to the bench, you\u2019ve got guys like Victor Radley. I think for a long period of time people thought just his style and physicality was suited to Origin football.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘I picked Victor to be Victor!’ | 00:44<\/p>\n

LOSERS<\/p>\n

Dylan Edwards<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an argument to say incumbent fullback Dylan Edwards has been hard done by in his Origin snubbing.<\/p>\n

The Penrith custodian has been a model of consistency for the Panthers all year, both as an integral member of their spine and as a leader on the field.<\/p>\n

However, the Blues loss is almost certainly the Panthers gain. With NSW Cup fullback Jaxen Edgar Penrith\u2019s most likely back-up option at fullback, Edwards\u2019 Origin omission means the Panthers roster won\u2019t be quite as decimated during the annual Origin period as in previous years.<\/p>\n

Edgar is a promising young talent but he is very raw and not quite ready for NRL yet. Tom Jenkins may have shifted to fullback if Edwards was picked but with Casey McLean also selected it would have tested Penrith\u2019s depth.<\/p>\n

Last year, it was a far more straight-forward solution with Daine Laurie.<\/p>\n

Edwards made five Origin appearances across the 2024 and 2025 series.<\/p>\n

\u201cDylan and Teddy play different football, Teddy is more dynamic and Dylan gets through a mountain of work,\u201d Daley said.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust with what we want to do when we have the ball, we want to do a bit more. We just feel like the spine with Teddy the connection he\u2019s got with Robson, Moses and Cleary on either side, just gives us a few more opportunities to create more points.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edwards missed out. (Photo by Paul Kane\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Laurie Daley<\/p>\n

The pressure is on Daley to produce this year given his contract expires at the end of this series. <\/p>\n

The Blues coach already has a poor record, having lost four of his five seasons in charge, and needs to reverse that trend this year or risk New South Wales looking in another direction. <\/p>\n

With that in mind, Daley is a loser from Monday\u2019s team announcement simply because of the names that were unavailable to be selected.<\/p>\n

Latrell Mitchell was just the latest name to go down, joining Payne Haas, Tom Trbojevic and Liam Martin on the sidelines. <\/p>\n

The star quartet would have been automatic picks for Daley if healthy, and the Blues\u2019 depth has been tested too with other bolters including Bradman Best, Jacob Kiraz, Mitch Kenny and Adam Doueihi also not available to be selected. <\/p>\n

It is the last thing Daley needs as he fights for his future.<\/p>\n

Traditional wingers<\/p>\n

It was one of the biggest decisions Daley had to make: who replaces Zac Lomax. <\/p>\n

There were plenty of contenders he could have opted for who have made a name for themselves on the wing, either this season or throughout their career, including Josh Addo-Carr, Tom Jenkins and Campbell Graham.<\/p>\n

Instead, it seemed like it was down to two centres in Tolutau Koula and Casey McLean.<\/p>\n

Of course, both are capable of playing across the entire backline and in the case of McLean he has lined up on the wing in the international arena before. <\/p>\n

The thinking earlier in the week was that Addo-Carr would be the pick given his experience, with Jenkins\u2019 try-scoring run and dominance for Penrith tapering off in recent weeks while Graham offered a bigger body and aerial threat to balance the shorter but powerful Brian To\u2019o on the other wing.<\/p>\n

Josh Addo-Carr missed out. (Photo by Mark Kolbe\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Koula though offers something completely different as an ultra-athletic threat who can play across the entire backline, given Daley cover if Tedesco goes down. <\/p>\n

He is also a slick finisher and has the kind of speed that is made for the modern game.<\/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, who is an avid Queensland fan, said on NRL 360 earlier this year.<\/p>\n

Instead, he is in the starting line-up. So the Maroons will be seeing him for the entire 80 minutes.<\/p>\n

Jackson Ford<\/p>\n

What else can he do?<\/p>\n

Ford has been one of the in-form players in the competition this year, only trailing Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary in the Dally M count.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old is putting up career numbers and has been leading the way in the Warriors\u2019 charge up the ladder, averaging 144 run metres \u2014 second among all front rowers only behind Keaon Koloamatangi. <\/p>\n

With Ford surging up the Dally M leaderboard, people outside of the Warriors have certainly been taking notice of his rise \u2014 although coach Andrew Webster has been consistent in declaring it is nothing surprising to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been doing it for a long time,\u201d Webster said on Sunday. <\/p>\n

\u201cMitch didn\u2019t play at the start of the year, he (Ford) started and he had a few 80 minute performances and he deserved the accolades. But then everyone started noticing him now rather than noticing what we\u2019ve noticed for a long time. <\/p>\n

\u201cEver since he came to our club, he\u2019s had that work ethic. He\u2019s the fittest forward in the pre-season. He works that hard. He cares about the team first. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe scored a couple of tries early in the season, he played 80 minutes, everyone started reading the stats and going, \u2018Oh my God, how long has this guy been doing it?\u2019 But he\u2019s been doing it for a long time. That\u2019s why we love him and we know what he brings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for Ford, it still wasn\u2019t enough for him to get a well-deserved Origin call-up and he is perhaps the most hard done by player, but the Blues\u2019 loss is the Warriors gain.<\/p>\n

Jackson Ford was unlucky to miss out. Picture: NRL ImagerySource: Supplied<\/p>\n

Keaon Koloamatangi <\/p>\n

Speaking of Koloamatangi, he has been pumping out big performances for the Rabbitohs and was hopeful of earning an Origin recall when he spoke to media earlier in the week.<\/p>\n

The Rabbitohs front rower played in all three matches of the Kangaroos\u2019 tour against England last year and was one of several in-form impact forwards Daley could have selected.<\/p>\n

\u201cI probably haven\u2019t been at my best the last couple of years but I\u2019ve cemented a fine role spot at the club and I\u2019m feeling like one of the better players in the comp in my position,\u201d Koloamatangi said last week.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s up to him [Laurie Daley] and I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll pick the best team possible and the team will get the job done but hopefully I get that call.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jacob Preston<\/p>\n

Just quickly, if Ford isn\u2019t the biggest snub then Jacob Preston may well get that tag.<\/p>\n

The Bulldogs second rower has been hard to stop in 2026, building a strong combination with Lachlan Galvin and proving a shining light in what has been a tough year.<\/p>\n

It is hard to say Preston could have done any more and while teammate Stephen Crichton was not punished for the Bulldogs\u2019 form, perhaps Preston wasn\u2019t as lucky given he is a debutant without the runs on the board.<\/p>\n

Angus Crichton<\/p>\n

Perhaps the biggest surprise in Laurie Daley\u2019s Origin I side is his decision to overlook hard-working second rower Angus Crichton.<\/p>\n

The Roosters star, who is rugby union bound at the end of the season, has been a Blues stalwart since making his debut in 2018. Crichton was a Wally Lewis Medal winner in the 2024 Origin series and has become a dependable member of the Blues pack.<\/p>\n

Daley has instead gone with Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau\u2019atu in the second row, with, with Newcastle Knights backrower Dylan Lucas named as 20th man. Daley confirmed Bulldogs\u2019 Jacob Preston was also high on his list of candidates.<\/p>\n

It is thought that Radley\u2019s versatility in both the middle and on the edges could have played a part in pushing his Roosters teammate out of the Blues\u2019 side.<\/p>\n

\u201cHudson has been arguably the best backrower and I think Haumole over the last six weeks has been demanding selection, so hard to deny. He gets an opportunity there\u2026 for him to be starting I think he\u2019ll be thrilled with that,\u201d Daley said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The NSW Blues squad is in for Game 1, with James Tedesco getting the nod over Dylan Edwards…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":677942,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[43,44,85,41,39,42,40],"class_list":["post-677941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-sports","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=677941"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677941\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/677942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=677941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=677941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=677941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}