State Of Origin 2026

Think it's ridiculous that there's talk of Ponga playing 7. Terrible idea. Hopefully it doesn't happen.

The notable changes I'd make from last year are Walker at halfback. Plath in there somewhere. Tualagi in for Coates. And Ponga on the bench with Hunt, given the 6 subs bullshit.

For NSW I'd drop Edwards. He's been great but Tedesco has earnt a recall after a few bog years in Origin. And the fewer Penrith players the better to get away from that system. As long as he and Yeo, who I'd push up front, do nothing but pass the fookin ball on shifts to Trell and Staggs/Crichton.

AFB I can take or leave. He's been very mid this year but I'd probably blood him. Would find a place for May and Barnett. Moses picks himself obviously. Murray at 13. Every other spot is basically inconsequential.

Can't see NSW losing this year but who knows with Daley.

 

Yeah so Ponga is going to be picked at 7 from all the reports. I don't care how much ball he's getting at first receiver for Newcastle, that doesn't make him a halfback.

 

Yeah its nothing to do with defence imo, and nor should it be. Halfback is a spot where you pick solely on attack and creativity. Toia and Cotter or whoever are there to protect the 7 from NSW's edge runner.

We need a half who can organise. Neither Munster nor Ponga offer that in any meaningful capacity. At least when K.Hunt, Gasnier or Lyon were picked in the halves it was to be a ball running standoff, a much simpler role.

Ponga has ball playing and line breaking out his arse but this isn't club footy. When he gets time and space restricted, what does he offer by way of organising? Not much.

 

Walker/Munster imo. Kid has a wicked cutout pass, probably the best in the game. Boyd did his ACL today too unfortunately.

 

He is absolute toilet.

 

Okay so news limited as usual was reporting Ponga had been picked at 7 and.....he's not. Ponga will be fullback. Walsh is axed completely. Walker at 7.

 

Radley is a weird pick given Murray is already there. Did not expect Saifiti to be there either.

 

I mean, technically Walsh wasn't dropped as he missed last year with injury. I think Billy has shown over his tenure that current form is pretty important to him. Ponga has been better than Walsh this year but he was absolute toilet in Origin last year....just doesn't seem to matter to Slater.

 

Mam is a good pick imo. He does have some silly errors but he's been incredibly dangerous at times for Brisbane when coming off the bench.

What do you think of the Blues team, Cribb? I'm a bit meh about it.