Only five Blues would make the Kangaroos starting side if selectors picked a team today in the wake of NSW’s Origin series capitulation.
After winning game one, the Blues were never in the hunt in the remaining two games, with Wednesday night’s 24-12 defeat flattering the home team in a bitter game for the 80,000 strong crowd.
Queensland were smarter, hungrier, tougher and more disciplined than a NSW team that had the series at their mercy before crumbling.
READ MORE: Ten players Blues must consider in sweeping shake-up
READ MORE: Prop’s ugly face slap mars Bulldogs’ resilient win
READ MORE: Troubling Aussie batting reality exposed by Test rankings
The Blues were left at the starting line in both the second and third games, allowing Queensland to bolt out to big leads and then hang on to be worthy series winners.
The big Kangaroos shake-up starts at halfback, with Wally Lewis Medal winner Tom Dearden a must to be picked ahead of superstar Nathan Cleary.
Nathan Cleary of the NSW Blues. Getty
Dearden was the key figure in the Maroons fightback after coach Billy Slater made the tough call to drop out-of-form skipper Daly Cherry-Evans after game one.
The Blues failed to follow Slater’s lead, being clearly out-played in Perth yet not making any changes for the decider… and it came back to bite them.
Cleary was a shadow of the player who has led Penrith to four straight titles and maybe the fact he wasn’t able to kick for goal indicates his groin injury is more serious than team management let on.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Dylan Edwards didn’t have a great series at fullback yet was still among the Blues’ best and their most effective players, running for nearly 300 metres in a team going backwards on Wednesday.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who set an Origin first by playing the three games in three different spots – is a must for Australian selection and gets a wing spot.
Latrell Mitchell edges boom Maroons rookie Robert Toia, but mainly on reputation.
Harry Grant and Tom Dearden of the Maroons celebrate with the State of Origin Shield. Getty
Maroons skipper Cameron Munster is a must following his courageous efforts throughout the series, and his combination with Dearden also counts in his favour.
In the forwards, only big Payne Haas, who also wasn’t 100 per cent fit throughout the series, skipper Isaah Yeo and the consistent Angus Crichton would make the Kangaroos team from the Blues pack.
NOTE: Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton, who may have made the team, weren’t considered as they have opted to represent Samoa at Test level
MOLE’S KANGAROOS TEAM
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Tom Dearden
8. Payne Haas
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Angus Crichton
12. Reuben Cotter
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Liam Martin
15. Hudson Young
16. Patrick Carrigan
17. Lindsay Collins
