ISAAH YEO will captain the New South Wales in the first game of this season’s State of Origin series, which will be played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on 28th May.
Blues coach Laurie Daley, who has replaced current Brisbane Broncos Michael Maguire in the role, has stuck closely to the team that won last year’s series.
Penrith skipper Yeo takes over the captaincy from Jake Trbojevic, who suffered a head knock in Townsville on Saturday.
Parramatta’s Michell Moses edges out Jarome Luai to play alongside Nathan Cleary at halfback.
Canterbury forward Max King, who was born in England and had been suggested for a potential England cap in this year’s Ashes series, will make his Origin debut from the bench.
Queensland coach Billy Slater is expected to name his Maroons squad on Monday.
Blues squad: 1 Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers), 2 Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers), 3 Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), 4 Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 5 Zac Lomax (Parramatta Eels), 6 Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), 7 Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), 8 Mitchell Barnett (Warriors), 9 Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys), 10 Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos), 11 Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers), 12 Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters), 13 Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers), 14 Connor Watson (Sydney Roosters), 15 Spencer Leniu (Sydney Roosters), 16 Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders), 17 Max King (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) , 18 Campbell Graham (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 19 Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne Storm), 20 Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles).
