NSW PLAYER PROFILES

Fullback, James Tedesco

Origins played: 1. Age: 24. 2017 kick return metres per game: 69. 2017 try assists: 3. While he hasn’t been at his best, Tedesco is one of the game’s premier attackers and has made the third most metres ( 1800) and busted the second most tackles ( 72) this season.

Winger, Blake Ferguson

Origins played: 4. Age: 27. 2017 average metres: 128. 2017 tackle busts: 22. While his club form hasn’t been the best, he’s a proven performer on the big stage for state and country and will form a powerful right edge combination with good mate Josh Dugan.

Centre, Josh Dugan

Origins played: 9. Age: 27. 2017 average metres: 147. 2017 try assists: 2. Dugan has finally settled his future after signing with Cronulla and went into NSW camp with a clear mind. One of the most powerful ball runners and is sixth in the league for tackle busts ( 46).

Centre, Jarryd Hayne

Origins played: 20. Age: 29. 2017 average metres: 78. 2017 try assists: 2. The man is back. When he last played Origin, he was the difference at fullback in NSW’s droughtbreaking 2014 series win. Recently exposed in defence playing at centre for the Titans but is a consummate Origin performer.

Brett Morris

Origins played: 12. Age: 30. 2017 average metres: 101. 2017 tackle busts: 31. The Canterbury veteran gets another shot at Origin after Tom Trbojevic was injured.

Five- eighth, James Maloney

Origins played: 6. Age: 30. 2017 try assists: 3. 2017 line- break assists: 6. A bona fide winner, having lifted the premiership trophy with both the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla.

Halfback, Mitchell Pearce

Origins played: 15. Age: 28. 2017 try assists: 9. 2017 line- break assists: 8. NSW’s most maligned playmaker gets another chance having failed to lift the shield in his six previous series. At 28 is in career- best form and has been handed the reins of the side.

Prop, Aaron Woods

Origins played: 11. Age: 26. 2017 average metres: 135. 2017 offloads: 17. Coach Laurie Daley had ruled a line through his name before he made a remarkable comeback from a hamstring injury to prove his fitness.

Hooker, Nathan Peats

Origins played: Nil. Age:A 26. average dummy- halfhal runs: 1.6 for 16 metres. 2017 average tackles: 36.8. Peter Wallace was set to be picked at hooker before going downd with injury, handing Peats his chancechan to cement a spot as the Blues’ long-long term No. 9.

Prop, Andrew Fifita

Origins played: 7. Age:Ag 27. 2017 average metres: 141. 2017 offloads: 24. A polarising figures wh whose career has been held back dued to off- field issues but is a proven big- game match- wi winner and possesse possesses an extraordinary motor forf a man of his size.

SecondSeco row, Josh Jackson

Origins played: 6. Age: 26. 2017 line breaks: