Alexander names his NSW Blues side for Game I

Former NSW Blues Chief Advisor Greg ‘Brandy’ Alexander has put his selector’s cap back on to name the side he would field for the first game of the 2024 State of Origin series.

Alexander, who stepped down from his role at the end of last year, had been in the Blues’ selection war room since 2018 and made plenty of tough calls during his time with former coach Brad Fittler.

With new coach Michael Maguire preparing for a monumental first series in charge, the Blues have been smashed with an injury crisis to many of the side’s key spine players, leaving a few positions in the team up for grabs.

The biggest positional debate leading into Game I has been the battle for fullback between incumbent captain James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards but there is a handful of positions still yet to be determined.

See Alexander’s full team below and watch the YouTube video to see his thinking in some of the contentious spots.

1. James Tedesco (c)

2. Brian To'o

3. Stephen Crichton

4. Latrell Mitchell

5. Joseph Suaalii

6. Cody Walker * (if healthy, Jarome Luai if not)

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Payne Haas

9. Api Koroisau

10. Jake Trbojevic

11. Liam Martin

12. Angus Crichton

13. Isaah Yeo

14. Matt Burton

15. Jacob Saifiti

16. Cameron McInnes

17. Hamole Olakau'atu