NSW Team Announced for State of Origin Game I – Four Pointer News Summary: 

- James Tedesco edges out Dylan Edwards for the No.1 jersey ahead of Game One at Accor Stadium on Wednesday 27 May.

- Six debutants headline the NSW Blues squad, including Cronulla prop Addin Fonua-Blake and Roosters enforcer Victor Radley.

- Latrell Mitchell has withdrawn from the series opener after aggravating a back injury, with skipper Isaah Yeo praising the centre's selfless call.

- Coach Laurie Daley sticks with the Mitchell Moses–Nathan Cleary halves pairing, while Isaah Yeo retains the captaincy.

Tedesco Pips Edwards in Fullback Showdown

The State of Origin fullback debate has gone the way of the reigning Dally M Player of the Year. 

Tedesco will pull on the No.1 jersey for his 24th Origin appearance, narrowly edging Penrith's Dylan Edwards after both custodians averaged over 220 running metres and five tackle-breaks per match this NRL season.

"There wasn't much between them - Teddy has been there before and Dylan has done nothing wrong, but it's more about the style of play we wanted," Daley said.

Six Debutants Reshape the Blues Pack

The eligibility rule shake-up earlier this year has paid immediate dividends, with Cronulla powerhouse Addin Fonua-Blake named in the starting front row alongside Warriors enforcer Mitch Barnett, who returns after recovering from a 2025 ACL setback.

The full list of NSW debutants includes:

Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) – starting prop

Tolu Koula (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles) – winger, replacing Zac Lomax

Blayke Brailey (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) – hooker cover

Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters) – bench forward

Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders) – 18th man. 

Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers) – 19th man. 

Newcastle's Dylan Lucas rounds out the squad as a non-playing reserve at No.20. Roosters rake Reece Robson won the race for the No.9 jersey ahead of Brailey, while Jacob Saifiti and Haumole Olakau'atu both return to the interstate arena with two Origins each to their name.

Mitchell Withdrawal a Blow for the Blues

The Origin betting markets shifted on Sunday when Latrell Mitchell phoned Daley to confirm his unavailability after aggravating a back complaint in Souths' 32-10 loss to the Dolphins. 

The in-form Rabbitohs centre had missed the previous week's defeat to the Sharks and conceded he wouldn't be 100 per cent for the series opener.

Captain Isaah Yeo, who retains the No.13 and the leadership group with Cam Murray moving to the bench, praised Mitchell's honesty.

"It was a really selfless act," Yeo said. "I think if you asked him, there'd be no-one who'd want to play for their state more and particularly with what he's done in that arena."

X-Factor Koula Ready to Strike

Yeo gave the thumbs-up to debutant winger Tolu Koula, the lightning-quick Tongan international stepping into Lomax's vacated jumper.

"He is incredibly fast, has great balance, just a game breaker, he has X factor," Yeo said. "If he actually gets in the clear, there's not many people stopping him."

With Mitch Moses and Nathan Cleary reuniting in the halves and Hudson Young locked in at left edge, the Blues will be chasing a series-opening statement at Accor Stadium on Wednesday 27 May.

NSW Blues Game I Team List:

1. James Tedesco

2. Brian To'o 

3. Stephen Crichton

4. Kotoni Staggs

5. Tolu Koula

6. Mitchell Moses

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Reece Robson

10. Mitch Barnett

11. Hudson Young

12. Haumole Olakau'atu

13. Isaah Yeo (c)

14. Cameron Murray

15. Victor Radley

16. Jacob Saifiti

17. Blayke Brailey

18. Ethan Strange

19. Casey McLean

20. Dylan Lucas