NRL Grand Final hero Ryan Papenhuyzen was ruled out of home state opener due to a calf injury while Coen Hess was recalled and eight Newbies named in Queensland by Wayne Bennett
Medalist Clive Churchill Papenhuyzen was next to replace New South Wales star fullback James Tedesco if he failed Saturday’s fitness test on his injured knee
Tedesco has been named at the back, with Papenhuyzen bench place now Cody Walker to lose ahead of Wednesday’s opening in Adelaide
Meanwhile, Bennett surprised when he recalled North Queensland great back rower Hess from the starting side in his 21-man preliminary squad.
Hess played the last of his five origins in 2018, but could be in line for a shock return from Bennett’s underdog side if the master trainer didn’t tinker with the makeup named Thursday
AJ Brimson was selected at the back while Gold Coast winger Phillip Sami and Xavier Coates, 19 in Brisbane, were selected on the wings for their debut
With Storm Brenko Lee center in the center, Dane Gagai from South Sydney is the only backline member named with Origin experience
Sydney Roosters hooker Jake Friend has been named to debut at number nine, with storm monster Tino Faasuamaleaui banging Jai Arrow on the bench
Cameron Munster is set to overcome a knee issue and play in halftime with captain Daly Cherry-Evans, while Ben Hunt and uncapped duo Jaydn Su’a and Lindsay Collins are the other reserves named
Boom Titans forward Moeaki Fotuaika, utility Penrith Kurt Capewell, Dumamis Lui and Hymel Hunt have been named Reservists and could add to Queensland’s huge roster if Bennett gets his deck any closer. ‘Wednesday dispatch
Clint Gutherson, Luke Keary and Junior Paulo are in line for the Blues debut while Cameron McInnes, Nathan Brown and Zac Lomax are on the lying bench
Papenhuyzen did not train with the squad on Thursday, while Roosters star Tedesco trained away from the main squad
« I don’t think [I’ll be playing] at this point, it’s about managing the calf, » he said before the announcement
« There is a little tear in it between the middle of the second half of the weekend
Named in jersey number one, Tedesco will have until Saturday to prove his fitness, when the team has its biggest training success of the week
Meanwhile, forward Jake Trbojevic allayed fears he suffered a foot injury in training after failing to complete the session
The Manly star came off the pitch and received physiotherapy treatment on his right foot, which was icy as he watched his teammates do their exercises
Prop Daniel Saifiti hasn’t trained either, but Blues officials have said it’s about managing his workload
QLD Team: Alexander Brimson, Xavier Coates, Brenko Lee, Dane Gagai, Phillip Sami, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans, Christian Welch, Jake Friend, Josh Papalii, Felise Kaufusi, Coen Hess, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui; Ben Hunt, Lindsay Collins, Jai Arrow, Jaydn Su’a
The NSW team: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Clint Gutherson, Jack Wighton, Josh Addo-Carr, Luke Keary, Nathan Cleary, Daniel Saifiti, Damien Cook, Junior Paulo, Boyd Cordner, Tyson Frizell, Jake Trbojevic; Cody Walker, Payne Haas, Cameron Murray, Angus Crichton
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Queensland Rugby League Team, State of Origin Series, Sydney Roosters, Wayne Bennett, Melbourne Storm, Queensland
World News – AU – The Great Hero of the Final , Papenhuyzen, excluded from Origin’s opening for NSW
