They left it late but Tom and Jake Trbojevic have confirmed their Origin spots, while the Blues have confirmed a number of key changes for the series opener.
He left it until the eleventh hour but Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic scored three tries in a scintillating performance to storm back into the NSW State of Origin side.
Dismissed as a Blues option over the past month, Trbojevic scored tries in the 9th, 30th and 50th minutes against Canberra on Sunday – and saved another through a remarkable tackle with brother Jake – to all but reclaim his NSW centre spot.
The NSW team will officially be announced at 8am on Monday with Trboejvic, Penrith’s Stephen Crichton and South Sydney’s Campbell Graham locked in a battle for a centre spot but the Sea Eagles fullback looks to have fended off his rivals.
The centre spot was undecided entering Sunday. It was simple for Trbojevic – if he showed his old form, he was in. If he didn’t, he was probably going to be overlooked. ‘Turbo’ certainly left it late.
It was a vintage performance from Trbojevic, who had been heavily scrutinised in recent weeks for modest form and lack of acceleration. Trbojevic’s smile when scoring his third try – during Manly’s 42-14 win – said it all.
Eels great Nathan Hindmarsh said on Fox League: “Tommy put the foot down when it came to contact – he’s back to his best.”
Trbojevic, who looked better having Josh Schuster back in the side, ran for 173 metres – through 14 runs – while posting three line breaks and two line break assists.
Jake Trbojevic returned on Sunday having not played since April 29 when he injured a calf against Gold Coast. He too was super defensively and should claim a NSW middle spot. But this was Tom’s day.
Trbojevic surged into contact, unlike previous weeks, and showed touches of speed and confidence.
He scored a strong try in the 21st minute and followed it up with a second try nine minutes later. He completed his hat-trick 10 minutes into the second half.
In scoring his second try, where he ran a wonderful line, Trbojevic hit a gap with speed and footwork.
“Didn’t he accelerate?” said Queensland coach and 9 commentator Billy Slater when Trbojevic scored his first try. Former NSW coach Phil Gould added: “It’s lovely to see him (Trbojevic) moving freely.”
At halftime, NSW adviser Greg Alexander described Trbojevic’s opening half as “fantastic.”
“Tommy has been down, that’s no secret. He has been searching for something and he has found it today,” Alexander told Fox Sports.
Tom and Jake combined brilliantly to prevent a certain try to Canberra’s Elliott Whitehead. Jake made a significant difference for Manly and is also in line for an Origin recall although Newcastle’s Daniel Saifiti remains in contention.
Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes has been told of his Origin selection, as has Newcastle’s Tyson Frizell and Canterbury’s Josh Addo-Carr. Hynes, who has enjoyed 18 months of top-shelf football, will come off the bench in the jumper 14 role with Jarome Luai to retain his five-eighth spot.
His selection means NSW coach Brad Fittler will end his two dummy half policy of Damien Cook and Api Koroisau used in the final two matches last season, with Cook preferred.
Hynes was named 18th man for NSW in the first two games last season and in game three during 2021.
Frizell hasn’t played for NSW in more than three years with Addo-Carr a confirmed selection after returning for Canterbury against Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon – and scoring a try – following a six-week absence through syndesmosis surgery.
Asked about Hynes’ selection, Fittler told 9: “He’s been one of the best players in the competition. The way they play is so entertaining.
“Sometimes you just sit there and marvel at what they’re doing, how they’re moving the ball. He’s at the middle of everything they do, so. He’s in great form.”
Penrith’s Liam Martin is set to be chosen despite an injury-plagued season of just four games since March.
NSW will enter a 10-day camp in Coogee before Origin I in Adelaide on May 31.
ADDO-CARR’S STUNNING LATE SURGE
Josh Addo-Carr celebrated his return from injury with a scintillating try, a shake-a-leg celebration and a vow to do the job for NSW when he is called upon by coach Brad Fittler.
Addo-Carr, snubbed last year by Fittler and injured for more than a month before Sunday’s return, emerged unscathed from the Bulldogs’ win over the Gold Coast at Accor Stadium, proving his fitness just in time to win a return to the NSW fold.
He was still waiting on a phone call on Sunday night when he spoke to News Corp but the smart money suggests he will be back in the Blues fold for the opening game of the series in Adelaide next week. Addo-Carr will return with a point to prove.”
“It’s something I always dream of and love being part of,” Addo-Carr said.
“If Freddie picks me, I will do the job. It’s always a privilege to put the jersey on and represent my state and family.”
He could do no more on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs were down and out at halftime but they mounted a second half revival to ensure they didn’t finish the weekend at the bottom of the ladder.
Having helped engineer a stunning Canterbury comeback, Addo-Carr then showed his pride for NSW during an interview with Queensland legend Gorden Tallis on Sydney radio station Triple M.
“Hey Gordie, guess what?” Addo-Carr said.
Before Tallis had the chance to answer, Addo-Carr bellowed: “Up the Blues.”
NICHO CONFIRMED FOR NO. 14 SLOT
Dally M medal winner Nicho Hynes has earned his dream NSW jersey.
The Cronulla Sharks star has been selected in Brad Fittler’s Blues side for Origin I on May 31.
Fittler phoned the game’s most consistent player after the Sharks comprehensive 26-6 win over Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.
Hynes’ selection is reward for a stunning 18-months of elite-level football.
Capable of playing fullback, five-eighth or halfback, Hynes is tipped to wear the Blues No.14 jersey.
Penrith’s Jarome Luai is expected to retain the NSW No.6 jersey after a month of quality football alongside Blues halfback Nathan Cleary.
FRIZELL ICES ORIGIN COMEBACK
Tyson Frizell’s return to State of Origin is complete.
It is understood that the Knights have been notified of Frizell’s selection in the NSW side and also been told that Daniel Saifiti is in the mix pending the outcome of Sunday’s games.
Frizell played the last of his 14 games for NSW three years ago but has been outstanding for the Knights this year.
Originally published as State of Origin 2023: Tom Trbojevic confirms spot as NSW Blues Game 1 likely team revealed