Daley hints at crucial NSW selections as debate ramps up

NSW Coach Laurie Daley has given his biggest hint as to who will line up the Blues wing following the departure of Zac Lomax.

Lomax played wing for the Blues in last year’s series, but has since departed for rugby union following a public court saga with the Parramatta Eels.

The frontrunner to replace Lomax was Bulldogs’ winger Jacob Kiraz, who was 18th man for Game III of last year’s series.

However, the winger is currently out injured with a Grade 2 MCL sprain, with an aim to return around Round 11-13, putting his ability to play, at earliest, the week before Origin I.

Should the NSW coaching staff not deem Kiraz fit for selection, Daley indicated to SEN's Kick-Off Sydney’s winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, South Sydney’s Campbell Graham, and Parramatta’s Josh Addo-Carr are the standout options to step into the wing role with Brian To’o.

“I think you'll know this yourself, Brandy, you sort of have in your mind the guys that you’ve got on the periphery, but it sort of can change, and I've never ever locked anyone in because you know how things can change pretty quickly,” Daley emphasised.

“But we've got guys like Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase), who's playing some good footy.

“Campbell Graham is someone I've always had a big opinion of but just hasn't been quite able to get a run of it with injuries.

“The Foxx (Addo-Carr) is still there, so you've got other guys that you're sort of looking at, and we try and keep it as open as we possibly can because, I know it's a cliche and people think you make it up, but you’ve just got to keep all options on the table because things change pretty quickly.”

All three wingers are averaging over 100 run metres a game, three tackle breaks a game, and are scoring regularly, but Nawaqanitawase leads the way in each category.

Daley also revealed the Blues would likely use two hookers, with Sharks’ hooker Blayke Brailey firming for an Origin debut, along with Apisai Koroisau who’s battling for a return to the Origin arena.

“I think we're pretty much confident we will go with two (hookers),” Daley confirmed.

“We were looking at a number of different combinations but I think where the game's at, having those two hookers in your squad certainly gives you cover if something happens to the starting hooker.

“But also tactically, (it) could be an advantage to a side, as we've seen that, if you've got a bit of momentum, opposition forwards are starting to get tired, to inject someone in around dummy half because there's more opportunities now for dummy halves to run and get out and play a bit of football.

“It's (a) strong probability, mate, that we will go (two).

“We're pretty lucky that we have guys that are starting to play consistently well and adapting to the new rules, those two guys you mentioned (Brailey and Robson).

“Unfortunately for Api (Koroisau), getting suspended wasn't great for us or the Wests Tigers, but he's someone that we were certainly looking at as well and still will.

“Just the way that the game's being played, I think that it's so important you've got two in your squad at least, and then you've got that ability to either adapt on the run if it's not working.

“If the hooker's playing well, you don't have to make a change but if you see an opportunity to inject some speed in and around the ruck, then it might be an advantage for you at that particular point.”

Game I of the Men’s State of Origin series will be played on May 27.