Rising Selection Concerns: Munster’s Struggling Form Opens Door for Rookie in Maroons; Blues Fight to Address Major Gap

The NRL season is in full swing, and the attention of the rugby league community is shifting towards the eagerly anticipated State of Origin.

In under four weeks, Queensland and New South Wales will announce their squads as players prepare to regroup in camp for the series opener set for May 27 in Sydney.

Maroons coach Billy Slater and his Blues counterpart Laurie Daley are now faced with several challenging selection dilemmas as they approach this critical juncture.

OPTIONS TO FILL THE BLUES’ MASSIVE GAP

The Blues have suffered a significant setback with the absence of Bronco’s star prop Payne Haas, who will be out for up to two months due to a knee injury.

This leaves a major gap in the NSW front row, but Daley has multiple alternatives to consider.

“Thankfully, we have many players performing well at the moment,” Daley stated during Monday’s series launch in Melbourne.

With the new Origin eligibility regulations now in effect, Sharks and Tonga prop Addin Fonua-Blake is suddenly eligible to don the NSW jersey.

Fonua-Blake is now a front-row contender as he was previously ineligible due to his New Zealand representation.

Warriors stalwart Jackson Ford is currently in excellent form, pushing himself into the conversation for selection, while Terrell May from the Tigers, a surprising omission last year, remains a potential contender.

If Warriors ace Mitchell Barnett returns to peak fitness after an injury-plagued start, he will also be a strong candidate in the forward pack. Moreover, the Blues are seeking an exemption for Penrith’s Moses Leota, despite calls from legends like Andrew Johns to stick to the eligibility rules.

Max King and Stefano Utoikamanu had lacklustre performances last year and may struggle to secure a spot, while Spencer Leniu, who contributed off the bench in all three games last year, could find himself considered again by Daley.

MUNSTER UNDER PRESSURE

Cameron Munster was appointed Queensland captain during last year’s series, but now finds himself on the brink of being omitted from the team.

Although coach Slater is unlikely to drop Munster before game one, the Storm playmaker’s form has been poor this season as Melbourne struggles through a five-match losing streak, currently sitting in 15th place after seven games.

On Monday, the veteran revealed he had been conversing with Penrith’s Isaah Yeo about his struggles, noting that Yeo managed to play for NSW even while the Panthers faced a tough patch.

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Last year, Slater made the bold decision to drop captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans mid-series, effectively concluding his Origin career after an 18-6 loss in the first game.

“I hope that I don’t get the same treatment as Chez did last year after just one loss, so I’m eager to get out there and play some good footy since, at the moment, I haven’t been performing,” Munster said during the Origin launch in Melbourne on Monday.

“Many probably believe I’ve been below my usual standards, and I know I’m my hardest critic. I aim to return to my best form before the series begins.”

“When pressure mounts and victories are elusive, it’s easy to feel you need to do it all yourself. I wouldn’t say that I’m not trying or lacking effort, but things simply aren’t falling into place as they usually do, so I must keep at it.”

Queensland will likely stick with Tom Dearden in the halves for Origin I, but young star Sam Walker is ready and waiting for his opportunity to represent the state.

If Munster doesn’t improve his performance soon, Slater may have no choice but to include Walker alongside Dearden.

Additionally, Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam is enjoying a solid season and could also enter the mix for selection.

DALY’S PRIMARY DILEMMA

Superstar fullback James Tedesco has returned to form over the past 18 months, creating immense pressure on Blues incumbent Dylan Edwards.

Tedesco was previously the captain of NSW before being dropped by one-series coach Michael Maguire in 2024, and Edwards has taken on the No.1 jersey for the past five matches.

Tedesco was awarded last year’s Dally M Medal and tops the ratings as the NRL’s best fullback for the 2025 season. However, if he was previously overlooked last year, it’s hard to imagine him supplanting Edwards this time.

“Both he and Dylan are performing exceptionally well,” Daley remarked during the launch on Monday.

“Ultimately, it will come down to who’s showing the best form, that’s the fairest approach, and that is exactly how we will proceed.”

With both the Roosters and Panthers in form, each fullback is currently shining at the club level. There’s an argument that Tedesco adds more firepower in attack compared to Edwards, who was less effective during last year’s series while battling injuries.

Tedesco is eager to recapture the Blues jersey.

“Absolutely, it’s always a dream to represent NSW, and if the call comes, I’ll grab it with both hands,” he shared with Nine’s 100% Footy.

Daley clarified that neither player would be played out of position.

“No, they are both fullbacks. We have other players who offer versatility,” he stated.

MAROONS FACING INJURY WOES

Queensland has its own fullback crisis, with their top two contenders currently sidelined due to injuries.

Broncos star Reece Walsh suffered a cheekbone fracture in round five and will be racing against time to recover for Origin I, while Knights captain Kalyn Ponga has been out since round two and is also eager to return to strengthen his Maroons chances.

However, Slater has a potentially electrifying third option with Dolphins sensation Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who is more than capable of stepping into the fullback role for his state, despite his club’s current struggles this season.

Another interesting candidate could be South Sydney’s Jye Gray, as he has been exceptional for the Bunnies this season, prompting Wayne Bennett to shift Latrell Mitchell back to his original position as a permanent centre.

ROOSTERS PLAYER LEADING WING COMPETITION

The departure of Zac Lomax from rugby league has created a new dilemma for Blues coach Daley.

Lomax demonstrated exceptional form on the wing for NSW last year, so the coach now has the challenge of finding a new winger to counter Queensland’s strength.

Adding to Daley’s concerns is the recent injury to Manly star Tom Trbojevic, who could have been a contender but is now unavailable for the opening match.

The leading candidates appear to be cross-code convert Mark Nawaqanitawase and emerging Penrith talent Thomas Jenkins, who has burst onto the scene this season and put himself in contention.

Other options include Campbell Graham, Josh Addo-Carr, and Jacob Kiraz, but it seems Nawaqanitawase, despite his plan to leave the NRL for rugby at season’s end, is edging closer to a debut with the Blues.

“We’ll certainly consider Mark. He has been incredibly impressive since transitioning from rugby union,” Daley noted on Monday.

“There’s an opportunity for someone, and we’re eager to see who can rise to the occasion.”

DALY EYES RAIDERS YOUNGSTER

Speaking on Monday, Daley mentioned Raiders prospect Ethan Strange as a potential wildcard for the Blues squad.

The No.6 jersey was previously contested between Mitchell Moses and Jarome Luai last year, with the Blues winning when Moses played but losing both matches after his injury.

Moses has consistently performed well when called up for Origin, but it’s unlikely he will replace Nathan Cleary in the halfback role.

Younger Dolphins talent Isaiya Katoa was trending towards an Origin spot last year, but his performance has dipped this season as his team struggles.

“It’s an interesting situation because Nathan is in great form, Mitch played well yesterday, Jarome is back, and Ethan Strange from the Raiders is hitting his stride,” Daley said.

“If he keeps this up and the Raiders achieve more victories, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be included in this team at some point.”

Strange was part of the Kangaroos touring squad at the end of last season and is viewed as a potential representative star for the future.