With almost a month until State of Origin I at Suncorp Stadium, and having previously profiled the players in danger of losing their Origin jersey, this week I’ve decided to take a look at the players who could potentially break into Brad Fittler’s NSW Blues. Some of these men would be debutants, and others returning for their second bite of the cherry.
2. Blake Ferguson
Following an unfortunate injury to Blues incumbent winger Tom Trbojevic and having broken bread on his feud with Blues coach Brad Fittler, Parramatta's Blake Ferguson has been thrust back into Origin contention after seemingly having his named marked only two series ago.
While Trbojevic's injury has assisted Ferguson's push for a recall, his outstanding 2018 and red-hot start to life at new club Parramatta would have had him in the conversation regardless. Ferguson has three tries and three try assists from his six appearances in 2019, as well as contributing an invaluable 177 running metres per game off the wing.
Having previously been slated for his selfish attitude, Ferguson has displayed maturity and toughness in the last season, typified by playing through a broken leg in the 2018 Grand Final for his former club the Roosters.
Ferguson would be a straight swap for Trbojevic as the Manly speedster was deployed on the right for the Blues in 2018, the same side Ferguson operates on for Parramatta. He has also taken up a leadership role since joining the Eels, a quality that can only bode well for the seven-time Origin representative in a largely more youthful squad than in previous series.
While Ferguson has a chequered past, his performances over the past two seasons have screamed of Origin quality, and he is more than ready for a return to the world's toughest arena.
