Queensland’s outfit looks largely settled, but the Blues could have several new faces ahead of Maguire’s first series in charge.

So who is pushing for selection ahead of the series opener on June 5 at Accor Stadium?

TEDESCO VS EDWARDS

Never doubt a champion they say, but league legend Matty Johns is unsure James Tedesco is the man who will wear the No.1 jersey.

Tedesco has been one of NSW’s best players since making his debut in 2016. His 2023 series was one to forget, but prior to that the gun skipper was consistently one of the Blues’ best.

The 31-year-old’s position could be under siege and new coach Maguire has made it clear no player’s position is safe when it comes to making his crunch decisions.

“I respect all those boys that have been in the past, but I’m telling everyone to look forward, we’ve got to move forward,” Maguire said earlier this year.

“I know that he’s had a very good pre-season, and no doubt like any champion player, he’s still a champion player. I’m looking forward to seeing Teddy play some really good footy.

“At the moment I’m not going to make any statements around the team, I said that when I first arrived.

“I want to let the players go and play and then from there we’ll work out which way we want to go.”

However, Johns believes the form of Panthers star Dylan Edwards could earn him his first Origin appearance.

The 28-year-old earned a Kangaroos debut last year, playing three games on the wing under Mal Meninga.

So far, he has been unable to crack into the Blues’ side and Johns believes he has edged in front in the race for the No.1 jersey.

“He and Tedesco, that’s a big one,”

“I think Edwards (is in front). Tedesco, I thought he was good the other night, he’s starting to find his best football.

“But my gut feeling is that Edwards has his nose in front.”

So far this season, no player has run for more metres than Edwards who has carried the ball for 1474 in only seven games.

He’s also broke the third most tackles of any player, while Tedesco has only ran for 943 metres in the same amount of games.

Tedesco also has broken 31 tackles, 11 less than his Panthers counterpart.

It remains to be seen whether Maguire will remain loyal to the NSW incumbent skipper, but Edwards has done nothing to hurt his chances of earning a call-up.

Outside of that pairing, Sea Eagles superstar Tom Trbojevic could also play his first game at the back.

He is one of the NRL’s most dangerous stars and consistently delivers in the No.1 jersey for Manly, however his ability to play in the centres generally rules him out of the fullback debate.

However, with Maguire picking off form, Trbojevic has to be in that conversation while Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell is reportedly considering pulling out of NSW selection contention according to the SMH.

 

 

WHO WILL WEAR THE NO.6?

After an impressive Game III display last season, Mitchell Moses was leading the race to partner Nathan Cleary this year.

But then came a spanner in the works, with the gun playmaker suffering a foot fracture that will see him sidelined until around Round 12.

Should he return that week, it’d mean he’d only have one game under his belt before going into Origin camp.

Maguire has made it clear he’s going to pick players based on their form, so Moses will have a maximum of 80 minutes to showcase his abilities.

That leaves the door open for playmakers to make their case, and Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes is certainly doing just that.

The halfback is a versatile star and could easily slot into five-eighth alongside Cleary, having previously played at fullback and off the bench for the Blues last year.

The 27-year-old earned a vouch from his coach after masterminding a big win over the Raiders, with Craig Fitzgibbon saying: “He wouldn’t be out of place (in the Blues side).”

Meanwhile, speaking to AAP, Hynes himself admitted he’s ready to redeem himself after his disappointing start to life as an Origin player.

“If I’m not ready right now, then I don’t think I’ll ever be,” he said.

“I feel like if I’m called for that job, then I am ready to play No.6. I’d just love to play a rep game in my position.

He debuted off the bench in Game I last year, missing a crucial tackle which led to a Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow try in his 12-minute stint.

While defence let him down in that moment, Fitzgibbon believes Hynes has never tackled better in his 89-game NRL career.

“He’s got a nice balance to his game at the moment,” he said.

“We all know he can make really nice plays, like he’s obviously got the talent and skill there. “But I thought he has knuckled down and improved his defence. It’s the best I’ve ever seen him defend at the moment.”

Meanwhile, Cody Walker’s form has seen him drop out of contention, with Jarome Luai remaining as the last potential No.6 candidate.

He was dropped by Brad Fittler after Game II last year and has been solid this season, without setting the world on fire.

For veteran league reporter Phil Rothfield, the obvious choice is Hynes whose “form is impossible to ignore”.

“Nicho should be now, I think he’s a standout selection now to play five-eighth, Jarome Luai is an easy choice alongside his halfback,” he said.