Players Vying for State of Origin Spots at Magic Round
Up to 75 players will take the field this weekend at Magic Round with the hope of earning a spot in the State of Origin squad. With the teams for NSW and Queensland expected to be announced on Monday, several key players have one last opportunity to impress coaches Laurie Daley and Billy Slater before the series opener.
Many positions are already likely secured in the selectors’ minds, but others remain up for grabs. The Blues fullback battle between James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards is one such contest, while the race to replace an injured Tom Dearden at halfback for the Maroons is another.
Six players who won’t be competing at Suncorp Stadium are still in the running for selection. Raiders trio Hudson Young, Ethan Strange, and Corey Horsburgh are all in the mix despite having the bye, while Api Koroisau, Kotoni Staggs, and Victor Radley are suspended but remain genuine chances for NSW in game one.
Wide World of Sports is looking at all the players vying for an Origin spot ahead of the three-day rugby league event in Brisbane.
Sharks vs Bulldogs, Friday 6pm
With the eligibility rules changed in the off-season to allow players from New Zealand or England to compete in the marquee event, Addin Fonua-Blake and Briton Nikora are among the most talked-about names for a debut. Both Cronulla stars are eligible for NSW and Queensland respectively, but neither has yet made a strong case for selection.
Their opponents, Canterbury, have struggled this season, putting pressure on incumbent Origin stars Stephen Crichton and Kurt Mann to retain their spots. Crichton isn’t guaranteed his usual right centre spot for the Blues and could miss out completely, while Mann has likely fallen down the pecking order for a Maroons bench utility role.
Jacob Preston is also in the mix, but faces stiff competition and Canterbury’s form may have impacted his chances.
Rabbitohs vs Dolphins, Friday 8pm
The main game on Friday night could be an attacking shootout, but it also features a number of potential Origin stars. Latrell Mitchell, after overcoming a back injury, is expected to line up for South Sydney and will be an automatic selection if he remains unscathed.
Teammates Cameron Murray and Keaon Koloamatangi are both expected to be in the Blues side, while outside back Campbell Graham is a huge chance of finally making his debut after a run of injuries.
Tallis Duncan, a back-rower, has shown consistent improvement over the past couple of years and is versatile enough to be considered. Across the park, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is a definite selection for the Maroons, while winger Selwyn Cobbo could be back in the mix.
Dolphins forwards Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert are pushing for spots in Slater’s 19-man team after overcoming a tough run of injuries, while utility Max Plath and edge forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki are firming for Origin debuts.
Jack Bostock has also emerged as a bolter for NSW despite only returning from a serious knee injury a few weeks ago.
Wests Tigers vs Sea Eagles, Saturday 3pm
Api Koroisau, the Tigers skipper, is still a chance of playing Origin but won’t be able to leave a last-minute impression on selectors this weekend. Front-rower Terrell May is still a huge chance of earning a debut, while Jarome Luai is behind the eight-ball in the battle for a halves spot for the Blues.
Haumole Olakau’atu, a wrecking ball for Manly, has found a new lease on life under coach Kieran Foran. Tolu Koula has been floated as a potential wing or six-man bench option, while towering prop Taniela Paseka is an outside chance of NSW selection.
Roosters vs Cowboys, Saturday 5.30pm
This match could feature the most Origin players, with both halves under scrutiny. Roosters duo Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans are clear front-runners for the No.7 jersey for Queensland, while Jake Clifford has gained support after a pivotal role for the Cowboys this season.
James Tedesco will have one last chance to stake his claim for a spot on Saturday night. His teammates Reece Robson, Robert Toia, Angus Crichton, and Lindsay Collins are expected to play in the series opener, while incumbents Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson may have slid down the pecking order for the Blues.
Daniel Tupou, a veteran winger, was selected in former captain Paul Gallen’s team on 100% Footy earlier this week.
Aside from Clifford, Reuben Cotter and Heilum Luki are expected to play for the Cowboys, while Jaxon Purdue remains a smoky for the Maroons. Reed Mahoney has been in strong form since joining the club and could end up with a bench spot.
Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi would have played for Queensland if not for injuries, while Jaxson Paulo is another name in the mix.
Eels vs Storm, Saturday 7.45pm
Mitchell Moses is the clear front-runner to play five-eighth for NSW in the first game, barring injury or suspension. Josh Addo-Carr is among a stack of names in the mix for a Blues wing spot, while utility Dylan Walker is an outside chance of a bench spot.
On the other side, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant are clear locks for Queensland in game one, but Trent Loiero is less certain. Stefano Utoikamanu played for the Blues last year but doesn’t appear to be in many people’s teams, while Jack Howarth is an outside hope of making his debut for the Maroons.
Titans vs Knights, Sunday 2pm
Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is a definite selection for the Maroons, but a handful of his teammates remain in the mix. Jojo Fifita has emerged as a potential wing option, while AJ Brimson could fill a bench utility role. Cooper Bai is a genuine smoky despite only playing U19s for his state last year.
Beau Fermor and Moeaki Fotuaika have played for Queensland in the past but have dropped behind some rivals and are unlikely to be picked. Kalyn Ponga is making a serious case to get the nod at fullback, while Bradman Best is in the mix for a centre spot with NSW.
Fletcher Sharpe’s name has been bandied about for the six-man bench, while Dane Gagai could be a stop-gap solution at wing or centre for the Maroons. Jacob Saifiti and Dylan Lucas are outside chances of playing for the Blues despite strong club form early in 2026.
Warriors vs Broncos, Sunday 4.05pm
Warriors front-rowers Mitch Barnett and Jackson Ford are both firmly in contention for NSW, but there may only be room for one of them in Daley’s side. In-form playmaker Tanah Boyd is a smoky for the Queensland halfback role, while veteran back-rower Kurt Capewell is never far away from selection.
Wayde Egan, the forgotten man at the Warriors, is just as good as some of the other options for NSW but rarely has his name mentioned. Brisbane may have their least amount of Origin players in a while for game one, with lock-forward Patrick Carrigan the only guaranteed selection.
Reece Walsh is still the favourite to play fullback for the Maroons but isn’t locked in yet, while incumbent centre Gehamat Shibasaki appears unlikely to be picked. Ezra Mam and Ben Hunt have been tossed up as potential replacements for Dearden in the halves, but both are probably down the pecking order for now.
Payne Haas would have been a walk-up start for NSW but is out with injury.
Panthers vs Dragons, Sunday 6.25pm
Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, and Isaah Yeo are surefire locks to play for NSW in the series opener. Dylan Edwards, the incumbent fullback, is not as certain to play in game one and it will come down to the wire between him and Tedesco.
Tom Jenkins is a chance of a wing spot for the Blues, while teammate Casey McLean is also in the mix despite playing centre in club land for Penrith. Lindsay Smith has already represented the Kangaroos and could be a chance of making his debut at Origin level.
For the winless Dragons, the only player anywhere near Origin right now is Valentine Holmes, but his club form has been poor and he even admitted he hadn’t done enough to retain his spot in Slater’s backline, despite his storied Maroons career.
