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Max King to debut for NSW, Moses wins five-eighth race as Blues announce squad
Sam Kosack • May 18th, 2025 11:15 pm
Max King and Mitchell Moses headline the big selections in the first NSW Blues side of Laurie Daley's new era as coach.
Debate around the make-up of the Blues side has largely surrounded the fullback and five-eighth position, with James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards, and Mitch Moses and Jarome Luai battling it out respectively.
Daley has opted to retain the incumbent fullback Dylan Edwards and Game III Man of the Match Mitch Moses, indicating a preference towards Michael Maguire's side that won in 2024.
Bulldogs' prop Max King has been selected to make his debut off the bench in Game I, beating out Wests Tigers' prop Terrell May and South Sydney forward Keaon Koloamatangi.
King has averaged 151 metres and 32 tackles per game in 2025, leading the Canterbury forward pack to the top of the ladder after 11 rounds.
Debate rages around the omission of Terrell May, who currently sits second on the Dally M leaderboard.
After media reports of his omission began to emerge earlier in the week, May slammed NSW selectors in a Twitch stream.
"You know that Blues jersey I bought you? Chuck it in the bin," May said.
"Nah it's not the media. How do you think it got leaked, you think they're not just playing Chinese whispers?
"Might have to switch my allegiance (to Queensland)".
Penrith and Australian captain Isaah Yeo will assume the captaincy for the Blues, replacing Jake Trbojevic whose position was under threat before he sustained a concussion on Saturday night which ruled him out.
Daley lost a number of Blues hopefuls to injury in a disastrous Round 11 for the returning Blues coach.
Broncos' enforcer Payne Haas is 50/50 for Game I after injuring his quad against the Dragons, while Rabbitohs' centre Campbell Graham has been called in as cover for Bulldogs' centre Stephen Crichton who played through a quad injury on Friday.
Incumbent captain Jake Trbojevic, whose position in the side has been heavily debated over the past month, suffered a Category 1 concussion in the Sea Eagles win over the Cowboys on Saturday.
The concussion subjects him to the 11-day stand down protocols, ruling him out of State of Origin I, and this being his second concussion in the space of a month, Anthony Seibold confirmed a precautionary response will be taken with his return.
Bulldogs’ winger Jacob Kiraz and Knights’ prop Jacob Saifiti both suffered calf injuries that will rule them out for a month, dashing their Origin hopes.
The 20 players will now enter camp before Game I on May 28.
NSW squad for State of Origin I
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Brian To'o, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Zac Lomax, 6. Mitch Moses, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Mitch Barnett, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Liam Martin, 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Isaah Yeo (C), 14. Connor Watson, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Hudson Young, 17. Max King, 18. Campbell Graham, 19. Stefano Utoikamanu, 20. Haumole Olakau'atu.
