Overview
- NSW and Queensland, which unveiled their Game I squads Monday under the NRL’s new six‑man bench setup, confirmed James Tedesco at fullback for the Blues and Sam Walker at halfback with Kalyn Ponga at fullback for the Maroons.
- Laurie Daley chose Tedesco over incumbent Dylan Edwards, kept Stephen Crichton in the centres, paired Nathan Cleary with Mitchell Moses, and named first‑time Blues including Victor Radley, Addin Fonua‑Blake, Tolu Koula, Blayke Brailey, Ethan Strange, Casey McLean and Dylan Lucas.
- Billy Slater replaced injured Tom Dearden with Walker, selected Ponga ahead of Reece Walsh who missed the squad, and called up debutants Max Plath and Jojo Fifita with Thomas Flegler returning and Briton Nikora included under the revised eligibility rules.
- Latrell Mitchell’s status remains a talking point, with some reports of a self‑withdrawal due to a back issue and earlier indications of a modified training plan for the lead‑up to the Sydney opener.
- Australian coach Kevin Walters said Origin performances will weigh heavily on 2026 World Cup selection, putting extra focus on the series opener at Accor Stadium on May 27.