‘All things are still on the table’: The Origin selection calls facing Laurie Daley |
‘All things are still on the table’: The Origin selection calls facing Laurie Daley
May 16, 2026 — 3:00am
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State of Origin is often won at the selection table, but this year there are more variables than ever.
This series marks the first time a six-man bench has been employed, adding another layer of strategy to the contest. It’s also unclear how involved the referees will become after club football experienced a marked increase in the number of six-agains being awarded.
“I think the way we want to play won’t change, but the way we select might,” NSW coach Laurie Daley said during the week.
“I think you’re looking at big players versus small mobile players. How many big blokes do you go with? How many small guys do you go with? [Do you consider] the ability to cover the ground maybe a bit better than some of the big powerful blokes?
“That’s something we have [to consider] as well. Do you carry four front-rowers? Do you carry three front-rowers? Do you carry extra lighter blokes on the bench, who can play longer minutes? All those things have been discussed.
“We won’t lock anything in until Sunday night, obviously. All things are still on the table and there’s a lot of players that can force their way in.”
Daley has declared there will be several new faces, in part due to the unavailability of injured stars Payne Haas, Liam Martin and Tom Trbojevic. So with several spots still up for grabs during Magic Round, we look at the big selection calls facing Daley.
Contenders: James Tedesco and Dylan........