As we all know, the 2025 State of Origin result has left Blues fans and officials asking some very sooky, bitter but hard questions.
• Should NSW have won this series? We say that after every series.
• Is it too soon to call for mass sackings? No.
• Is the coach to blame? Yes.
• Are the players to blame? Yes.
• Is everyone to blame? Of course.
• Is Nathan Cleary an immortal? The more accurate question would be: is he even the best player in his family?
• Is Cleary to blame? Obviously.
• Does NSW get Origin? Of course not. What a stupid question.
So let’s pile on and really dig deep into one of the greatest capitulations in the history of sport. Actually, let’s not. Let’s just agree that NSW needs a complete overhaul, starting with the players and the coach.
This is the team that NSW must pick in 2026 if they want to start their long-awaited one-in-a-row dynasty.
1. Matt Dufty. One word: NSW’s X-Factor. Can’t get enough of that wonderful Duft.
2. Mark Nawaqanitawase. The Nine commentary will get justifiably ridiculed by referring to him as a rubbish 90s pop singer. It’s Nuh-wonga-nee-taw-wah-zee. See, it’s not that hard.
3. King Gutho: Forget Wally. Forget Max. There’s only one true King so bow down before him, you peasants.
4. Jamal Shibasaki: the best of the Shibasaki Empire. Would have already played 20 Origins if he was from NSW.
5. Tom Jenkins: Former Knights players not rated by the club generally go onto state/international representation. And it hardly seems fair all the other Panthers get picked and not Jenko.
6. Luke Brooks: Playing with an absolute rubbish 7 who just loves to hog the limelight. By hook or by crook we will pick Luke Brooks.
7. Kyle Flanagan: NSW shouldn’t give up on the selecting a goal kicking half back whose father is his coach. Doing great stuff with the Dragons.
8. Jake Turbo: Captained the last ever series won by NSW. Inspirational, courageous and slower than a Temu remote-controlled tank.
Jake Trbojevic. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
9. Lachlan Galvin: Only 19 but already making headlines. Forms a great partnership with Moses.
10. Dave Klemmer: We know one thing: he won’t take a single backward step. He will actually take thousands of backward steps as he moonwalks his way to 200 post-contact metres.
11. Joey Leilua: The Blues 19th man in 2012. Still only 33, the former Dapto Canary and current Wyong Roo would bring some much-needed mongrel and size to the Blues pack.
12. Luciano Leilua: Forms the Bruise Brothers with older bro, Joe. Will be fighting his sibling to beat Sam Thaiday’s world record for the most third man in penalties conceded.
13. Hamish Stewart: The Dragons rookie was called into the Blues camp this year. It might be an idea to actually “select” players who join NSW Origin camp at some point. That goes especially for any Bulldogs player named Jacob.
Reserves
14. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui: see Jamal Shibasaki.
15. Alex Johnston (captain): Future all time try scoring record holder. And picking a winger as captain off the bench just makes sense.
16. Bryce Cartwright: An older player now compared to when he was younger. Bryce will fill a similar role to that of Aaron Raper in 1997.
17. Tevita Pangai jnr: Criminally dropped after playing barely a quarter of a game in 2023. The Catalans crusher won’t let anyone down. Or will he? No, he won’t. Will combine with Jurbo for nearly half a game.
Extended squad
18th: Matt Burton. NSW has won at least 100% of Origin matches when Matt Burton has been sitting unused on the bench.
19. Matt Lodge: Before you all start bagging me, Lodge was part of the potentially awesome Broncos wooden spoon winning pack of 2020. Joining Lodge for the Brisbane/Blues spoon reunion is Jack Bird, Tavita Pangai and Payne Haas. Pat Carrigan is already with Queensland and will be joined by Joe Ofahengaue and, of course, David Fifita.
20. Jack Bird: part of the aforementioned reunion tour. NSW love picking a bunch of guys who are no chance of playing (see: Drinkwater, Doueihi, Graham, Burton).
Coach: Aaron Woods: Working in the media with no coaching experience meets the selection requirements. His hard-as-nails performances in the sky blue will rub off on his chargers. His clash with Billy Slater will be something to watch. There’s only one winner there.
