Fans have tipped James Tedesco to start at fullback for the New South Wales Blues in Game One of the 2026 State of Origin series. According to an NRL.com poll, Tedesco secured 52% of the vote, beating Dylan Edwards, as the squad prepares for its May 27 clash at Accor Stadium.
Backline Consensus and Wing Contenders
The NRL.com fan poll has provided a clear indication of public preference for the Blues’ backline. James Tedesco is the heavy favorite to occupy the number one jersey, capturing 52% of the fan vote. He faces competition from incumbent Dylan Edwards, who secured 38% of the support. Kaeo Weekes finished the fullback voting in third place.
The competition for the wing positions was notably tighter. Brian To’o emerged as the primary contender, earning 59% of the votes. The second wing spot was awarded to Josh Addo-Carr, who narrowly defeated Tom Jenkins by a 1% margin. The centres are expected to be anchored by Latrell Mitchell and Stephen Crichton, though Mitchell enters the selection conversation while managing a back injury.
The Battle for the Spine
Selection decisions in the spine remain the most contested areas of the Blues’ roster. In the halves, 60% of fans backed Mitchell Moses to partner Nathan Cleary. Jarome Luai placed second in the voting, followed by Ethan Strange in third.
The race for the starting hooker position resulted in a statistical deadlock. Reece Robson and Blayke Brailey each received 35% of the vote. The narrow margin between the incumbent Robson and the Sharks’ number nine suggests a difficult decision for the coaching staff as they finalize the roster for the opening game.
Midfield Composition and Debut Possibilities
Isaah Yeo remains the consensus choice to retain the captaincy for New South Wales. The second-row positions are expected to be filled by Haumole Olakau’atu and Hudson Young, with Angus Crichton also appearing as a significant contender in the fan voting.
The poll also highlighted interest in potential newcomers to the Origin arena. Jackson Ford has been voted for a NSW debut, while Sharks enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake is also positioned as a candidate for a rookie campaign.
Pressure on Laurie Daley and Game One Logistics
The upcoming series comes at a critical juncture for coach Laurie Daley. Following the loss of the 2025 State of Origin series, Daley faces significant pressure to secure a victory in the opening game to establish a winning formula for 2026.
Game One is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Accor Stadium in Sydney. As part of the lead-up to the series, the GIO Blues Team Picker contest has identified several minor prize winners, including Noah Hermes, Kingston Thompson, Christine Jones, Cienna Jones, and Cohen Day.