State of Origin 2023 shapes as test of nerve with new blood mixed with experience

N ew South Wales have gone back to the future for State of Origin 2023, recalling a host of stars to their Game One squad while Queensland have overhauled their winning combinations from last year to blood a batch of young guns and forge a new dynasty.

Blues coach Brad Fittler was first to name his Origin squad on Monday morning, confirming the return of box-office players Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic in the centres and moving swiftly to amend his big mistake from 2022 by recalling electric Bulldogs flier Josh Addo-Carr on the wing.

Queensland coach Billy Slater, who led an unfancied Maroons outfit to a boilover 2-1 win in his first series at the helm, has doubled down in the quest for consecutive victories, dumping incumbent fullback Kalyn Ponga and axing Origin veteran Dane Gagai after their dismal showing in Newcastle’s limp loss to Cronulla at the weekend.

Both teams will head to Adelaide for Origin 1 on 31 May with squads boasting proven experience and untried talent. But there is also rust and risk in both state’s selections.

Mitchell and Trbojevic reunite in the centres after missing last year’s series, the latter catching Fittler’s eye with a three try performance in the Sea Eagles’ upset of the Raiders. Trbojevic is far from firing on all cylinders and still looks ginger in contact. Yet Fittler has snubbed the season’s form centre Rabbitoh Campbell Graham and trusted the Manly maestro to deliver on the big stage.

Mitchell delivered a largely listless performance in Souths’ shock defeat to Parramatta on Friday and looked emotionally spent from a busy lead-up into Indigenous Round. But he still has a smile on his face, magic in his hands and plenty in the tank and that will spell trouble for the Maroons.