Cameron Munster has joked he called Billy Slater to make sure he wasn’t being dropped while Laurie Daley dropped a hint or two about his squad as the 2026 State of Origin series was launched on Wednesday.
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The men’s series begins at Accor Stadium on May 27 while the women will first be in action on April 30 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, with squads for that series expected to be announced later this week.
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Meanwhile, NRL players still have around a month to prove themselves to Daley and Queensland coach Billy Slater as new eligibility rules open the door for a host of new faces to press their claims.
While the make-up of both men’s squads is unknown at this stage, Daley gave a hint as to how he could take advantage of the six-man benches this year.
“I think there is a great opportunity for that (debutants) to happen,” Daley said.
“The game has got a lot quicker. You’re carrying six people on the bench so it gives us a bit of flexibility to include some of those young, powerful guys with a bit of speed.”
Two names that have been locked in for this year’s series, pending injury, are the respective captains: Isaah Yeo and Cameron Munster.
Speaking at Monday’s launch, Munster joked he was at risk of being dropped given Melbourne’s poor start to the 2026 season.
“It’s special,” Munster said of Game 2, which will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“Bill spoke about how we haven’t had a great record here, and the same in Perth last year, so hopefully we can find a win because I can’t find one at the moment.
“To be still captain, I’ve been ringing Bill the last couple of days to make sure he doesn’t put a line through me at the moment.”
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‘Cleary can dominate Origin’ Yeo | 03:44
Munster was at his cheeky best on Monday, while coach Slater was in a more serious mood as he faced questions not just on Queensland, but Melbourne’s early season slump and the Dragons’ decision to fire head coach Shane Flanagan.
But on the topic of the upcoming State of Origin series and the new eligibility rules specifically, Slater said he didn’t expect it to change things too much.
“The one thing about the eligibility rules is it doesn’t change a whole heap for State of Origin,” he said.
“Sure, the international game might change a little bit and we might see a few players selecting different countries and different nationalities to play for. But I think State of Origin will be very similar to what’s been in the last few years.”
Daley fielded more specific questions about what his Blues squad could look like, confirming it is a two-way shootout between Dylan Edwards and James Tedesco for the fullback jumper.
“He (Tedesco) and Dylan are both playing great,” Daley said.
“Teddy was outstanding yesterday. Very rarely does he play poorly and that’s a good sign for the Roosters and a good sign for New South Wales because you want people to be on their toes and you want them to be in-form coming into Origin and like I said to the players when we caught up earlier this year, it’ll come down to whoever is playing the best.
“That’s the fairest way you can do it and that’s the way we will do it.”
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It will make for a tough decision with both Tedesco and Edwards in exceptional form to start the season.
Daley also confirmed there was no temptation on his end to name one of the two on the wing as a way of finding space for both players, with Zac Lomax’s spot up for grabs after he signed with the Western Conference.
Daley said Mark Nawaqanitawase is one player the Blues “will look at” as a potential Lomax replacement.
“He was in the squad earlier this year when we got together and had a chat about this year’s series. He’s been so impressive since he’s come across from rugby union,” Daley said.
“All options are on the table.”
Elsewhere, while Nathan Cleary is all but pencilled into the seven jumper there is a question as to who will partner him in the halves.
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‘Don’t think about it beyond this year’ | 09:39
Daley brought up Mitchell Moses and Jarome Luai as the unsurprising contenders, but then interestingly mentioned Ethan Strange unprompted.
“Ethan Strange is starting to play his best football and I thought he was terrific against Melbourne the other night,” Daley said.
“He’s someone we think is going to be a future Origin player. Hopefully he’ll continue to play the way he is and put pressure on the incumbents.”
Strange may not make his Origin debut this year, but the fact Daley brought him up without being asked suggests he is very much in the team’s long-term plans.
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