Blayke Brailey will make his long-awaited State of Origin debut for the Blues, while Addin Fonua Blake is the first international player to be included in the NSW team since changes were made to the eligibility rules, for game one of the series on Wednesday week.
Brailey, who was a member of the Kangaroos squad at the end of last season without getting a game for Australian on the tour of the UK, will share the hooking duties with Roosters number nine Reece Robson in Origin game one against Queensland.
Despite his 139-game streak coming to an end last week due to concussion protocols, NSW selectors had obviously seen enough of Brailey and his abilities over the past few seasons to name him for his Origin debut match.
As for Fonua Blake, a strong performance last Friday night as captain of the Sharks in their win over the Bulldogs, cemented his inclusion in the Blues front row, with his selection coming after eligibility rule changes were made earlier this year.
The updated rules removed the previous restriction, allowing players who have represented Tier One nations — and who meet the traditional State of Origin criteria — to now be eligible.
Victor Radley from the Roosters, who has played for Great Britain previously, was also included in the NSW squad.
The NSW team was set to go into camp on the NSW Central Coast tomorrow ahead of game one at Accor Stadium next week.
Joining then will be four training squad members, with Sharks front rower Tom Hazelton amongst them in a reward for his consistent performances.
Laurie Daley is the coach, Isaah Yeo was named NSW captain, with the 20-man Blues squad listed below.
WESTPAC NSW BLUES SQUAD
Game One, Ampol State of Origin series
Wednesday 27 May, Accor Stadium, Sydney
1. James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
2. Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers)
3. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
4. Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
5. Tolutau Koula* (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
6. Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
8. Addin Fonua-Blake* (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
9. Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters)
10. Mitchell Barnett (Warriors)
11. Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
12 Haumole Olakau'atu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
13. Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers)
14. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
15. Victor Radley* (Sydney Roosters)
16. Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
17. Blayke Brailey* (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
18. Ethan Strange* (Canberra Raiders)
19. Casey McLean* (Penrith Panthers)
20. Dylan Lucas* (Newcastle Knights)
Coach: Laurie Daley
* Yet to play for NSW
