3 Sharks named for Blues

Sharks skipper Paul Gallen, five eighth James Maloney and front rower Andrew Fifita have all been included in the NSW team for game one of the 2016 State of Origin series.

The trio’s names were called out by NSW Minister for Sport, the Hon. Stuart Ayres MP, at The Star in Sydney today.

Players will now assemble at a media call from 1.00pm, before going into camp in Coffs Harbour later in the week.

Game one of the series is scheduled for June 8 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

While the selection of Gallen was expected by all excepting perhaps former Origin legend Peter Sterling, Maloney and Fifita have been the subject of much speculation by many scribes and experts.

The halves have created plenty of conversation, with Maloney’s experience and form over recent weeks too hard to ignore. His halves partner for NSW will be South Sydney number seven Adam Reynolds after he was named to make his Origin debut next Wednesday night.

As for Fifita, if there was any doubt about his potential selection he put that to bed in emphatic fashion with a man-of-the-match performance in the Sharks win over the Manly Sea Eagles last Saturday night.

Injected into the game for a second stint late in the contest, Fifita swung the momentum back the Sharks way with some incredible charges into the Manly ruck, one which won his side the penalty that put the team in front via a Maloney goal, the next a run from the kick-off that left defenders in his wake.

Other than the three Sharks, NSW Coach Laurie Daley has come up with a squad which sees a number of new faces including five debutants, with the Panthers pairing of Matt Moylan and Josh Mansour, Manly’s Dylan Walker, Dragons Tyson Frizell and Rabbitohs halfback Reynolds.  

Daley has named 19 players, as well as Panther Bryce Cartwright as a Development player. 

NSW Origin Squad