Fittler names three debutants for NSW Blues
Brisbane Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs, Parramatta Eels back-rower Ryan Matterson and Penrith Panthers centre Stephen Crichton have today been named to make their debuts for the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues in Game One at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday 8 June.
NSW coach Brad Fittler today named his starting 13 players, four interchange players, an 18th player and four reserves. Staggs was named in the starting side while Matterson and Crichton will make their debuts off the bench.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has been named as the 18th man while Newcastle Knights forwards Tyson Frizell and Jacob Saifiti, Sydney Roosters teenager Joseph Suaalii and Penrith Panthers hooker Apisai Koroisau are the reserves.
Joseph Suaalii on whirlwind rise to State of Origin squad
The team will be captained by James Tedesco – who officially took over the role full-time last year - and includes six players from the Panthers team that won the NRL Premiership last season.
The squad will tonight attend the annual True Blues dinner at The Star event centre at Pyrmont where the latest additions to the Hall of Fame will be announced and will have their first training session at Coogee Oval tomorrow.
BRYDENS LAWYERS NSW BLUES
GAME ONE, WEDNESDAY 8 JUNE, ACCOR STADIUM
1. James Tedesco (c) (Sydney Roosters)
2. Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
3. Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
4. Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders)
5. Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)
6. Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers)
7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
8. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
9. Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
10. Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)
11. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
12. Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)
13. Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)
14. Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers)
15. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)
16. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels)
17. Ryan Matterson (Parramatta Eels)
18. Nicho Hynes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
19. Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights)
20. Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
21. Joseph Suaalii (Sydney Roosters)
22. Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers)
Coach: Brad Fittler
