The State of Origin teams have typically become more stable since 2010 however with a number of different coaches and strategies being deployed there have been a number of surprising selections. Here are 10 of the most unexpected selections in that time.
With Jonathan Thurston injured for the first game of the 2017 series, Queensland coach Kevin Walters was forced to select a new five-eighth. With Michael Morgan experienced in the arena, as well as Corey Norman in good club form, Walters instead selected Anthony Milford. The Broncos five-eighth was injured during the match and did not return until Game II of the 2018 series.
With New South Wales having wrapped up the series after Game II of the 2018 series, Kevin Walters turned to former Queensland halfback Daly Cherry-Evans. It had been more than 1000 days since the Manly halfback was selected for the Maroons, leading many fans to believe he would never be selected again.
Selected for his size in Game II of 2012, Tim Grant was a left-field selection from then coach Ricky Stuart. The big prop excelled in his first game for the Blues, but after losing the series in Game III Grant was not included in the 2013 side.
For years many fans had called on try scoring machine Nathan Merritt to represent the Blues. By the time he was selected to replace to the suspended Blake Ferguson in 2013 however, there were a number of more qualified options for the spot. Merritt was replaced by James McManus in the next match.
The 2010 series was a tough one for New South Wales and there were a number of unexpected call-ups made by Ricky Stuart. Kade Snowden was one such player, brought in during Game III up front to help prevent a whitewash, but was unable to. Snowden maintained his position in the first game of the 2011 series but never played Origin again after that match.
Former Manly prop Jason King made his debut alongside Kade Snowden in Game III, 2010. King was another player that pundits did not expect to play State of Origin during his career. Like Snowden, King played the next Origin match but was dropped following that game.
One of Laurie Daley’s most unexpected selections during his time as New South Wales head coach was Dylan Walker on the bench. Known primarily as a centre, Walker was almost certain not to succeed in the Origin arena and only lasted two games.
When Tim Glasby was selected in Game II of the 2017 series the media branded him “Tim Who” and wrote him off as a nobody. However, Kevin Walters surprise prop selection proved to be a great pick as he helped the Maroons to a victory.
After achieving victory in Game I of the 2018 series, starting prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard was injured while playing for the Panthers. With options like Ryan James and Shannon Boyd available, coach Brad Fittler instead replaced Campbell-Gillard with Matt Prior. The Sharks prop was himself replaced by Tariq Sims after his first game.
No one in the rugby league world predicted Ricky Stuart to select Jamie Buhrer as a utility for Game I of the 2012 series. Buhrer only played seven minutes for the Blues and was dumped for Game II after it was deemed he was unnecessary to the team.