Canterbury Bulldogs scrum-half Trent Hodkinson, who was turned down for England’s World Cup side by Steve McNamara, has been named in New South Wales’ State of Origin side to face Queensland on May 28.
The 25-year-old, who has an English father, is one of the NRL’s most in-form playmakers and has single-handedly guided the Bulldogs to several of their eight wins this season, including landing winning field-goals two weeks in a row.
He is one of four Canterbury players, including half-back partner Josh Reynolds, to be selected, while several other household names make the grade, including Parramatta and Australia star Jarryd Hayne, Sydney Roosters centre Michael Jennings, who terrorised Wigan in this year’s World Club Challenge, and the Morris brothers, who are one of the most feared centre and wing partnerships on the planet.
Legendary back-rower Greg Bird is one of the biggest names to miss out due to suspension, but is set to return for the second of the three-game series.
NEW SOUTH WALES
1 Jarryd Hayne
2 Brett Morris
3 Josh Morris
4 Michael Jennings
5 Daniel Tupou
6 Josh Reynolds
7 Trent Hodkinson
8 Aaron Woods
9 Robbie Farah
10 James Tamou
11 Ryan Hoffman
12 Beau Scott
13 Paul Gallen (captain)
Subs
14 Trent Merrin
15 Anthony Watmough
16 Luke Lewis
17 Tony Williams
