DRAGONS forward Trent Merrin has missed out on a starting place in the NSW team named by coach Laurie Daley on Tuesday.
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Merrin was again named on the bench, with Bulldogs hard man Josh Jackson named at lock.
Josh Dugan has been confirmed as the NSW fullback, with Kiama junior Josh Morris in the centres, expected to take on the role of shutting down Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston with 2010 Dragons premiership winner Beau Scott.
Playmaker Mitchell Pearce has been recalled while Josh Jackson and David Klemmer will debut in a revamped NSW team to open the Blues’ State of Origin shield defence.
With Paul Gallen out injured, hooker Robbie Farah will captain the Blues named on Tuesday for game one at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on May 27, leading a team with six changes from the side that finished the breakthrough 2014 series.
Unable to steer the team to a series win when used in six previous years, Sydney Roosters halfback Pearce’s recent form demanded another chance.
'‘He’s an important member of not only the Roosters family, but the NSW family,’’ coach Laurie Daley said at The Star.
‘‘He’s a guy that I’ve got a lot of time for, and I know that he can add value to this team. He’s a guy that everyone’s excited to play with.’’
Pearce was named at five eighth, replacing Josh Reynolds and forming a new halves combination with out-of-sorts halfback incumbent Trent Hodkinson.
They are expected to play on either side of the ruck.Canterbury forwards Jackson and Klemmer get their debuts and Andrew Fifita is recalled in the absence of veterans Gallen, Greg Bird (suspended) and Luke Lewis (omitted).
Lewis, a veteran of 17 Origins, was left out just two weeks after playing for Australia in the Anzac Test and Anthony Watmough also missed out, with Daley looking to rejuvenate the Blues pack.
Dugan switches from centre to fullback to replace the departed Jarryd Hayne.
Sydney Roosters centre Michael Jennings and winger Daniel Tupou are set to play on the left edge with Josh Morris and Will Hopoate on the right.
Aaron Woods and James Tamou are the starting front-rowers while Beau Scott and Ryan Hoffman again make up a seasoned back row and Jackson starts at lock with a bench featuring plenty of size, power and mobility in Klemmer, Fifita, Merrin and Boyd Cordner.
For Farah, it will be the second time he leads his state after taking the captaincy duties when Gallen was ruled out through injury in the first game of the 2010 series.
‘‘It’s always a great honour to have the opportunity to captain your state,’’ he said.
‘‘The last time I had a chance Gallen got ruled out on the Friday or Saturday and I stepped in.
‘‘So this time I come into camp from the start as skipper and with a good core senior group around me I’m sure we can give ourselves the best opportunity for next Wednesday night.’’
Tyson Frizell was in Origin considerations but missed out on selection. AAP
STATE OF ORIGIN
Game one
Wednesday, May 27
NSW v QUEENSLAND
ANZ Stadium (8pm)
NSW: Josh Dugan, Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, Will Hopoate, Mitchell Pearce, Trent Hodkinson, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah (c), James Tamou, Ryan Hoffman, Beau Scott, Josh Jackson. Interchange: Boyd Cordner, Trent Merrin, Andrew Fifita, David Klemmer.
Queensland: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Will Chambers, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (capt), Nate Myles, Aidan Guerra, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Daly Cherry-Evans, Jacob Lillyman, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire. 18th man: Dylan Napa.
