Trbojevic is the first NSW skipper who does not regularly lead his club side in recent memory but with Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo shifting to the bench and Cameron McInnes to start at lock, he was a logical choice.
The only other club captains in the NSW team are Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton and McInnes – neither of whom are established members of the Blues squad.
After making his NSW debut in 2017, Trbojevic has worn the Blues jersey 16 times and has played more Origins than any other member of the 20-man squad named by Maguire on Sunday night.
He will be a popular choice, as will Edwards, who has been unable to unseat Tedesco for the No.1 jersey in previous years despite starring in Penrith’s run of three premierships and winning the Clive Churchill Medal for player-of-the-match in last year’s grand final.
After making his Test debut in last year’s Pacific Championships, Edwards is the latest player to represent the Kangaroos before playing State of Origin.
Tedesco had featured in every game for the Blues since his debut in Game Three of the 2016 season, including the last 11 as captain after taking over the role from Boyd Cordner midway through the 2020 campaign.
Nicho Hynes has been named at halfback with Jarome Luai at five-eighth despite failing to finish in Cronulla's heavy defeat to Penrith over the weekend.
Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton, who holds utility value after featuring at centre for the Blues in 2022, has been named as cover for Hynes in the squad as 18th Man, along with Roosters playmaker Luke Keary.
The Blues will spend the week in Katoomba in preparation for Game One before returning to Sydney for final preparations ahead of the series opener.
Game 1 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Accor Stadium, Sydney
Coach: Michael Maguire
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