state of orign

State of Origin: New South Wales omits Luke Lewis, Josh Jackson and David Klemmer selected to debut

Updated 27 minutes ago
PHOTO: Blues omission ... Luke Lewis(AAP Image: Paul Miller, File Photo)
MAP: Sydney 2000
New South Wales has omitted experienced campaigner Luke Lewis from its squad for the opening State of Origin match against Queensland, while naming debutants Josh Jackson and David Klemmer.
State of Origin I

	NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES
1	1 Josh Dugan
2	2 Daniel Tupou
3	3 Michael Jennings
4	4 Josh Morris
5	5 Will Hopoate
6	6 Mitchell Pearce
7	7 Trent Hodkinson
8	8 Aaron Woods
9	9 Robbie Farah
10	10 James Tamou
11	11 Ryan Hoffman
12	12 Beau Scott
13	13 Josh Jackson
14	Interchange
15	14[/B] Trent Merrin
16	15 David Klemmer
17	16 Andrew Fifita
18	17 Boyd Cordner

The Blues announced its team at a function at The Star in Sydney this afternoon, with the Maroons to name their team in Brisbane shortly.
Veteran Lewis, who has 17 Origin appearances, was overlooked for the Blues, who will also be without experienced duo Paul Gallen and Greg Bird due to injury and suspension respectively.
The 31-year-old Lewis, who was on Australia's bench for the Anzac Test against New Zealand in Brisbane earlier this month, appears to be a casualty of coach Laurie Daley's desire to blood a younger breed of Origin player
Young Canterbury forward Jackson will make his Origin debut for the Blues starting at lock, while Bulldogs team-mate Klemmer has earned a spot on the bench.
Mitchell Pearce has been recalled to the Blues side after missing the entire 2014 series.
Pearce has been selected at five-eighth and will partner Bulldogs half-back Trent Hodkinson, who retains the number seven jersey.
Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita has also been recalled to the side, with hooker Robbie Farah to captain the Blues in the absence of Gallen.
Daley said it is an enormous opportunity given to represent your state, an honour he was happy to bestow on rookies Jackson and Klemmer.
"These guys have been given a great opportunity to represent the state, it's a massive occasion, State of Origin," Daley said after the team was announced.
"They've got to uphold the values of representing New South Wales in State of Origin on and off the field.
Daley said it was "great to see" Mitchell Pearce back in the side.
"He's an important member not only of the Roosters' family, but of the NSW family (as well)," Daley said.
The State of Origin series opener will be played at Sydney's Olympic stadium on May 27.


QLD

SLATER
BOYD
INGLIS
HODGES
CHAMBERS
THURSTON
KRONK
M SCOTT
C SMITH capt
MILES
GUEREA
PARKER
THIADAY