NSW VB Blues coach Laurie Daley has today awarded final player numbers and positions for the team ahead of State of Origin Game I at ANZ Stadium.
The final team sees Blake Ferguson combine with Michael Jennings on one edge, Josh Dugan and Josh Mansour on the other, while debutant Matt Moylan gets the nod for the fullback position.
Up front, Paul Gallen has returned to the front row – where he has played seven of his 21 Origin appearances to date – allowing Greg Bird to play at lock. It means Boyd Cordner will start in the second-row for the first time in his Origin career, while Josh Jackson will play on the edge for the first time.
That leaves a dangerous-looking bench consisting of debutant utility Dylan Walker and props James Tamou, David Klemmer and Andrew Fifita – the trio weighing in at around 350kg.
The full side for Origin I, 2016 is as follows:
No. |
Name |
NRL Club |
D.O.B |
Junior Club |
Origin App |
1 |
Matt Moylan |
Penrith Panthers |
16/6/1991 |
St Patricks Blacktown/ St Clair Comets |
Nil |
2 |
Blake Ferguson |
Sydney Roosters |
|
Wellington Cowboys/ Earlwood Saints |
1 |
3 |
Michael Jennings |
Parramatta Eels |
|
St Marys/ West City Tigers |
15 |
18 |
Josh Morris |
Canterbury Bulldogs |
|
Kiama Knights |
11 |
5 |
Josh Mansour |
Penrith Panthers |
|
St Johns Eagles/ Kingsgrove Colts |
Nil |
6 |
James Maloney |
Cronulla Sharks |
|
St Edwards Gosford |
3 |
7 |
Adam Reynolds |
South Sydney Rabbitohs |
|
Alexandria Rovers/ Kensington United |
Nil |
8 |
Aaron Woods |
Wests Tigers |
|
Leichhardt Juniors |
8 |
9 |
Robbie Farah |
Wests Tigers |
|
Enfield Federals/ Leichhardt Wanderers |
13 |
10 |
Paul Gallen (c) |
Cronulla Sharks |
|
Wentworthville Magpies |
21 |
11 |
Boyd Cordner |
Sydney Roosters |
|
Old Bar Pirates |
5 |
12 |
Josh Jackson |
Canterbury Bulldogs |
|
Gulgong Terriers/ Mudgee Dragons |
3 |
13 |
Greg Bird |
Gold Coast Titans |
|
West Maitland Red Dogs/ Maitland Pumpkin Pickers |
16 |
14 |
Dylan Walker |
Manly Sea Eagles |
|
Mascot Jets |
Nil |
15 |
James Tamou |
North Queensland Cowboys |
|
Paddington Tigers/ Levin Knights |
11 |
16 |
David Klemmer |
Canterbury Bulldogs |
|
All Saints Toongabbie |
3 |
17 |
Andrew Fifita |
Cronulla Sharks |
|
Griffith Waratahs/ St Patricks Blacktown |
4 |
UPDATE: With Josh Dugan ruled out from Origin I with an elbow injury, Josh Morris is his replacement and will wear Jersey #18
There’s no better way to support the NSW VB Blues than by being there – and by being a part of The Star-backed Blatchys Blues. Click here to purchase tickets and to secure a seat to witness history. Don’t forget, for all the latest on the VB Blues and State of Origin, download the official NSWRL app and make www.NSWRL.com.au your homepage.
