Panthers, Rabbitohs fighting for up to four NSW Origin spots
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Penrith and South Sydney players could be vying for more than just a grand final berth on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium, with up to four spots in NSW's State of Origin squad up for grabs.
Blues coach Brad Fittler is believed to be on the lookout for a centre, an edge back-rower and two middle forwards to complete his 27-man squad and will be keeping a close eye on Stephen Crichton, Campbell Graham, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Tevita Tatola, James Tamou and Moses Leota.
While Fittler has only named 15 players so far, another eight spots are all but decided once the likes of Canberra's Jack Wighton, Melbourne's Josh Addo-Carr and Ryan Papenhuyzen, Penrith's Nathan Cleary and Api Koroisau and South Sydney's Damien Cook, Cody Walker and Cameron Murray complete their club commitments.
Storm lock Dale Finucane will also come into strong consideration if he makes his return from a calf injury in Friday night's preliminary final against the Raiders at Suncorp Stadium after being named in jersey No.18.
Sydney Roosters quartet Boyd Cordner, James Tedesco, Luke Keary, Angus Crichton and Daniel Tupou were added to the squad last weekend, along with Parramatta's Clint Gutherson, Junior Paulo, Nathan Brown and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
Then there were four …
The Blues players will undergo medical examinations next Monday but officials are confident there are no serious concerns about Tedesco, Keary and Cordner and the star Roosters trio will benefit from the 26-day break between last Friday night's finals exit and the November 4 series opener.
Match: Panthers v Rabbitohs
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
6th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Roosters teammates Jake Friend and Lindsay Collins are expected to be added to the Queensland on Wednesday, along with Parramatta hooker Reed Mahoney.
The Maroons squad is so far top-heavy with outside backs and hookers but Queensland coach Wayne Bennett will draw heavily from the four teams still in finals contention for his forward depth.
Canberra props Josh Papalii and Dunamis Lui, South Sydney second-rower Jaydn Su'a, Penrith utility Kurt Capewell and Melbourne forwards Felise Kaufusi, Christian Welch and Tino Faasuamaleaui are expected to join the Queensland.
Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster and Rabbitohs centre Dane Gagai are certain selections, while Souths fullback Corey Allan and Melbourne centre Brenko Lee could force their way into the squad with impressive performances in the finals.
Regardless of who gets the nod from the selectors, Queensland will have a host of rookies in their backline for Origin I, with Valentine Holmes suspended for the series opener in Adelaide and Kalyn Ponga, Michael Morgan and Kyle Feldt ruled out through injury.
However, the Maroons will be looking to Bennett for experience after three previous Origin stints from 1986-1988, 1998 and 2001-2003, winning five of the seven series he had charge of Queensland.
Likely Origin squads:
NSW
Backs: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Wighton, Zac Lomax, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Stephen Crichton/Campbell Graham
Halves/hookers: Luke Keary, Cody Walker, Nathan Cleary, Damien Cook, Api Koroisau
Utility back: Clint Gutherson
Utility forward: Cameron McInnes
Middle forwards: Jake Trbojevic, Cameron Murray, Payne Haas, Daniel Saifiti, Nathan Brown, Junior Paulo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Dale Finucane, Isaah Yeo
Edge back-rowers: Boyd Cordner, Tyson Frizell, Angus Crichton, Liam Martin
Match: Storm v Raiders
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Raiders
5th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Queensland
Backs: AJ Brimson, Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai, Edrick Lee, Hymel Hunt, Xaviar Coates, Corey Allan, Brenko Lee
Halves/hookers: Daly Cherry-Evans, Cameron Munster, Jake Friend, Harry Grant, Reed Mahoney
Utilities: Kurt Capewell, Ben Hunt
Middle forwards: Josh Papalii, Jai Arrow, Moeaki Fotuaika, Christian Welch, Patrick Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Tino Faasuamaleaui, Josh Kerr, Dunamis Lui
Edge back-rowers: Felise Kaufusi, Jaydn Su'a, Coen Hess
