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Api Koroisau is regarded as arguably the best hooker in the NRL today, which has made his omission from the NSW lineup for State of Origin a hot topic.
The 31-year-old, who is a three-time premiership winner and has played for the Blues in the past, was overlooked by new coach Michael Maguire ahead of the series opener.
Koroisau was snubbed in favour of Cowboys rake Reece Robson, who will start in the No.9 jumper, while Cronulla hardman Cameron McInnes is also in the team and has played plenty of dummy-half throughout his career.
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This season, despite playing in a struggling Wests Tigers outfit, Koroisau has been a consistent performer on a weekly basis, producing four try assists and causing havoc around the ruck against opposition defences.
Robson has been sound for the Cowboys – who have also had their fair share of concerns across the opening three months of the season – and his rock-hard defence is likely what got him over the line as Maguire looks to usher in a new era for NSW.
However, the decision from the coach and selectors has certainly raised some eyebrows, with English legend James Graham openly questioning Koroisau’s absence.
“I think it is a strange decision,” he said on Triple M’s Sunday Sin Bin.
“Koroisau has been outstanding in a team that’s not played well. Nothing against other candidates – Reece Robson, he will be great – but I think Koroisau’s deception in and around dummy-half would be so valuable.
“He’s the best in the Tigers team each and every week and I think it’s a big call not to be in there … it’s a strange one for me.”
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Every NSW Blues player picked for 2024 series: Dylan Edwards and Joseph Sua’ali’i headline new-look squad
Graham wasn’t the only one to call out the head-scratching call from Maguire, with former Wests Tigers star Chris Lawrence taking to social media to vent his frustration.
“Just saw the NSW Origin side, is that a gee up or has Api actually been left out?” the retired centre said on X.
“No disrespect to Reece Robson I think he is a great player and should be in the side with Api. But if Api isn’t the best nine in NSW and on par with Harry Grant as the best nine in the game, then I probably have my eyes painted on.”
Plenty of fans were also left gobsmacked by the omission of Koroisau, who is a proven big-game player and has been in strong form in 2024.
Robson played two games for the Blues last year as they lost the series 2-1 against the Maroons, and will be part of a squad that features six debutants on June 5.
Zac Lomax, Joseph Sua’ali’i, Spencer Leniu, Haumole Olakau’atu, Dylan Edwards and the previously-mentioned McInnes will be the fresh faces in Maguire’s team, with the likes of James Tedesco and Josh Addo-Carr also falling out of favour.
NSW Blues Game 1 team
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To’o 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Joseph Suaalii 5. Zac Lomax 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Jake Trbojevic (c) 9. Reece Robson 10. Payne Haas 11. Liam Martin 12. Angus Crichton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Isaah Yeo 15. Haumole Olakau’atu 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Hudson Young
Reserves: Matt Burton, Luke Keary, Mitch Barnett
