Opinion

Experts' view: NSW and Queensland Origin team selections

Author
NRL.com
Timestamp

This year's State of Origin series will be like no other - played in November with a full season of form to consider when selectors name their squads.

Will the Maroons make massive changes to prevent NSW from winning three straight series and will the Blues remain loyal to last year's players even though there will be a 16-month gap between series.

And what effect will the finals series have on selections? Some players will storm into contention while others will have to remain fit and ready from the sidelines if their side doesn't make the playoffs.

The NRL.com experts have their say on how NSW and Queensland should line up based on current form.

Experts view

Jamie Soward (former Blues five-eighth)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Latrell Mitchell
  5. Tom Trbojevic
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Payne Haas
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
  15. Dale Finucane
  16. Cameron Murray
  17. Daniel Saifiti

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Moses Mbye
  5. Xavier Coates
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Reed Mahoney
  10. Corey Horsburgh
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Jai Arrow
  14. Ben Hunt
  15. Joe Ofahengaue
  16. Lindsay Collins
  17. Christian Welch

Steve Renouf (Maroons legend)

Alicia Newton (NRL.com reporter)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Tom Trbojevic
  5. Blake Ferguson
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Payne Haas
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Wade Graham
  15. Paul Vaughan
  16. Cameron Murray
  17. Daniel Saifiti

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Hymel Hunt
  4. Dane Gagai
  5. Kyle Feldt
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Ben Hunt
  10. Dylan Napa
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Jai Arrow
  14. Reed Mahoney
  15. Joe Ofahengaue
  16. Josh McGuire
  17. Christian Welch

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Paul Suttor (NRL.com editor)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Latrell Mitchell
  5. Tom Trbojevic
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Payne Haas
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Wade Graham
  15. Ryan Matterson
  16. Cameron Murray
  17. Paul Vaughan

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Moses Mbye
  5. Dane Gagai
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Reed Mahoney
  10. Christian Welch
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Jai Arrow
  14. Ben Hunt
  15. Joe Ofahengaue
  16. Lindsay Collins
  17. Ethan Lowe

Lone Scout (NRL.com Fantasy guru)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Latrell Mitchell
  5. Tom Trbojevic
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Payne Haas
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Paul Vaughan
  15. Wade Graham
  16. Cameron Murray
  17. Daniel Saifiti

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Moses Mbye
  5. Dane Gagai
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Jake Friend
  10. Josh McGuire
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Jai Arrow
  14. Ben Hunt
  15. Patrick Carrigan
  16. Lindsay Collins
  17. Kurt Capewell

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Joel Gould (NRL.com reporter)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Latrell Mitchell
  5. Tom Trbojevic
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Payne Haas
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Wade Graham
  15. Dale Finucane
  16. Cameron Murray
  17. Paul Vaughan

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Dane Gagai
  5. Corey Oates
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Ben Hunt
  10. Jai Arrow
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Josh McGuire
  14. Jake Friend
  15. Jaydn Su'A
  16. Lindsay Collins
  17. Christian Welch

Chris Kennedy (NRL.com reporter)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Tom Trbojevic
  5. Blake Ferguson
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Paul Vaughan
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Wade Graham
  15. Ryan Matterson
  16. Cameron Murray
  17. Daniel Saifiti

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Dane Gagai
  5. Corey Oates
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Jake Friend
  10. Josh McGuire
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Jai Arrow
  14. Ben Hunt
  15. Patrick Carrigan
  16. Lindsay Collins
  17. Christian Welch

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Troy Whittaker (NRL.com reporter)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Tom Trbojevic
  5. Blake Ferguson
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Jake Trbojevic
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Cameron Murray
  14. Cameron McInnes
  15. Paul Vaughan 
  16. Wade Graham
  17. Payne Haas

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Dane Gagai
  5. Xavier Coates
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Jake Friend
  10. Josh McGuire
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Jai Arrow
  14. Ben Hunt
  15. Joe Ofahengaue
  16. Tim Glasby
  17. Christian Welch

Kimmorley: Hughes must own Melbourne's attack

Martin Lenehan (NRL.com senior journalist)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Tom Trbojevic
  5. Daniel Tupou
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Mitchell Pearce
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Wade Graham
  15. Junior Paulo
  16. Cameron Murray
  17. Ryan Matterson

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Dane Gagai
  5. Corey Oates
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Harry Grant
  10. Christian Welch
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Josh McGuire
  14. Ben Hunt
  15. Thomas Flegler
  16. Lindsay Collins
  17. Tim Glasby

Zac Bailey (NRL.com reporter)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Tom Trbojevic
  5. Brett Morris
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. Daniel Saifiti
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Jake Trbojevic
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Cameron Murray
  14. Clint Gutherson
  15. Dale Finucane
  16. Payne Haas
  17. Junior Paulo

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Dane Gagai
  5. Xavier Coates
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Jake Friend
  10. Jai Arrow
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Josh McGuire
  14. Ben Hunt
  15. Joe Ofahengaue
  16. Tim Glasby
  17. Christian Welch

Players' Poll: Is there enough talent to expand to 17 teams?

Tanisha Stanton (NRL.com reporter)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Latrell Mitchell
  5. Tom Trbojevic
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Payne Haas
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Paul Vaughan
  15. Wade Graham
  16. Cameron Murray
  17. Ryan Matterson

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Xavier Coates
  5. Dane Gagai
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Reed Mahoney
  10. Christian Welch
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Jai Arrow
  14. Ben Hunt
  15. Joe Ofahengaue
  16. Lindsay Collins
  17. Ethan Lowe

2020 players' poll results: Part 2

Brad Walter (NRL.com senior reporter)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Latrell Mitchell
  5. Tom Trbojevic
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Payne Haas
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Paul Vaughan
  15. Wade Graham
  16. Cameron Murray
  17. Clint Gutherson

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Moses Mbye
  5. Dane Gagai
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Reed Mahoney
  10. Jai Arrow
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Josh McGuire
  14. Ben Hunt
  15. Corey Horsburgh
  16. Lindsay Collins
  17. Ethan Lowe

2020 players' poll results: Part 1

Mary Konstantopoulos (Ladies Who League)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Tom Trbojevic
  5. Blake Ferguson
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Mitchell Moses
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Payne Haas
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Cameron Murray
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Paul Vaughan
  15. Dale Finucane
  16. Tyson Frizell
  17. Wade Graham

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Moses Mbye
  5. Xavier Coates
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Reed Mahoney
  10. Corey Horsburgh
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Jai Arrow
  14. Ben Hunt
  15. Joe Ofahengaue
  16. Lindsay Collins
  17. Christian Welch

Payten targets loan players

Kenny Scott (NRL.com Sunday Session podcaster)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Tom Trbojevic
  5. Blake Ferguson
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Payne Haas
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Wade Graham
  15. Paul Vaughan
  16. Cameron Murray
  17. Daniel Saifiti

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Valentine Holmes
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Moses Mbye
  5. Corey Oates
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Ben Hunt
  10. Christian Welch
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Jai Arrow
  14. Harry Grant
  15. Joe Ofahengaue
  16. Josh McGuire
  17. Ethan Lowe

Dan Walsh (NRL.com reporter)

Blues

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Josh Addo-Carr
  3. Jack Wighton
  4. Tom Trbojevic
  5. Blake Ferguson
  6. Luke Keary
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. David Klemmer
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Payne Haas
  11. Boyd Cordner (c)
  12. Tyson Frizell
  13. Jake Trbojevic
  14. Junior Paulo
  15. Dale Finucane
  16. Cameron Murray
  17. Ryan Matterson

Maroons

  1. Kalyn Ponga
  2. Dane Gagai
  3. Michael Morgan
  4. Moses Mbye
  5. Xavier Coates
  6. Cameron Munster
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
  8. Josh Papalii
  9. Reed Mahoney
  10. Christian Welch
  11. Felise Kaufusi
  12. David Fifita
  13. Jai Arrow
  14. Ben Hunt
  15. Ethan Lowe
  16. Lindsay Collins
  17. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

 

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARL Commission, NRL clubs or state associations.

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