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NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has announced a 19-man squad for Game 1 of State of Origin 2016.
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The squad is as follows:
- Matt Moylan (Panthers)
- Blake Ferguson (Roosters)
- Josh Dugan (Dragons)
- Michael Jennings (Eels)
- Josh Mansour (Panthers)
- James Maloney (Sharks)
- Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs)
- Paul Gallen (c) (Sharks)
- Robbie Farah (Tigers)
- Aaron Woods (Tigers)
- Boyd Cordner (Roosters)
- Josh Jackson (Bulldogs)
- Greg Bird (Titans)
- Dylan Walker (Sea Eagles)
- David Klemmer (Bulldogs)
- Andrew Fifita (Sharks)
- James Tamou (Cowboys)
- Tyson Frizell (Dragons)
- Josh Morris (Bulldogs)
Daley has named five debutants - Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Dylan Walker, Tyson Frizell and Adam Reynolds - in an extended squad that will head to camp in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday.
There was no room for last year's halves duo of Mitchell Pearce and Trent Hodkinson, with in-form Sharks No.6 James Maloney given the nod to partner Reynolds.
Daley described the team as "a good squad of players", picking 19 to cover the injury concerns.
"Any of those guys can do the job for us," he said. "[I'm] really excited to be back in camp, and hopefully the boys will prepare well and go out there and give a great account for themselves."
Daley said picking Reynolds was based on Mitchell Pearce "not ready to go at this point", as well as Reynolds strong kicking game.
"Adam has played a bit more footy than Mitch, he's got a really good kicking game and he can give us really good field position," he said. "Adam is a fantastic young boy and I'm sure he'll handle it well."
Last year's starting back rowers, Parramatta's Beau Scott and the Warriors' Ryan Hoffman, as well as Penrith's Trent Merrin, have been left out of the squad.
Moylan is expected to wear the No.1 jersey, with Michael Jennings and Josh Mansour to partner up on the left and Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson on the right.
Bulldogs centre Josh Morris has also been named in the squad and is believed to be on standby for Dugan, who picked up an elbow injury in last Thursday night's loss to South Sydney.
Manly's Dylan Walker is expected to fill the utility role on the bench, edging out Jack Bird and Bryce Cartwright, who has been named in the squad as a development player.
The starting front row will likely be skipper Paul Gallen and Aaron Woods, with James Tamou and David Klemmer to be used off the bench. That leaves Cronulla's Andrew Fifita, who a fortnight appeared to be on the outer, fighting it out with Josh Jackson and Tyson Frizell for the final bench position.
Boyd Cordner is expected to be one of the backrowers, with Daley to choose between Jackson and Frizell for the other position.
Queensland will name their team on Tuesday for the opening game of the series at ANZ Stadium on June 1.
Let us know what you think of the squad in the comments below!
