Origin selection news: NSW to stick with Crichton despite Bulldogs slump

Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton is set to retain his place in the NSW Blues side despite featuring in a misfiring Bulldogs team that has lost five games in a row.

NSW coach Laurie Daley will announce his squad for the first match of the series at 7.30am on Monday.

There are still positions up in the air with three games remaining in Magic Round on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium, which will wrap up with the top versus bottom tussle between Penrith and St George Illawarra on Sunday night.

Among the biggest selection issues to be resolved is the fullback’s spot, with Panthers incumbent Dylan Edwards and former Blues captain James Tedesco both having strong claims.

Other places in the NSW side that remain under question include who will join Penrith’s Brian To’o as the two wingers and the make-up of the forward pack and bench.

Crichton had also been in danger of losing his spot amid Canterbury’s drastic slide but the Blues are poised to keep the faith in the three-time Penrith premiership winner.

The 25-year-old has played in the last 12 State Origin games for NSW.

While he has been dealing with a shoulder injury and indifferent form, Crichton’s experience and defensive clout is still highly valued by Daley, who has also weighed up the prospects of Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs.

South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell will be the other NSW centre but will be placed on a modified training program in the lead-up to the series opener at Accor Stadium on Wednesday week because of a lower back issue.

Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses are expected to be chosen in the Blues halves, with Canberra five-eighth Ethan Strange favourite to get the nod as cover and a utility on the bench in what would be his maiden State Origin call-up.

In the forwards, captain Isaah Yeo is set to be joined by Cameron Murray, who missed last year’s series with an achilles injury, and back-rowers Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau’atu.

The Raiders have had the bye in Magic Round so Young could not press his case any further but Olakau’atu’s bid for a recall after two years became almost undeniable with a destructive performance for Manly against the Wests Tigers on Saturday.

Reece Robson, who has been the Blues hooker for the past eight State of Origin games, is likely to extend his run in the representative arena.

Cronulla’s Addin Fonua-Blake is also tipped to win a place in the front row, where NSW will be without the injured Payne Haas.

Under the rules the 20th player for NSW and Queensland will each return to their club next week.

However, the 20th player in the NSW squad will come from a team that has the bye, meaning they can remain in State Origin camp.

There are a range of State of Origin players and selection candidates in action on the third and final day of Magic Round.

The first game on Sunday, between Newcastle and Gold Coast Titans, features Kalyn Ponga, who has been tossed up as a potential halfback for Queensland given the absence of the injured Tom Dearden.

Former NSW coach Brad Fittler said talk of playing Ponga in the halves was “terrifying”, but the Blues and a backrower like Hudson Young would do everything to work him over defending in the front line.

“[Cameron] Munster and Harry Grant are experienced enough to control the kicking game,” Fittler told this masthead.

“Kalyn being at first receiver, and being able to get more ball, it would be terrifying.

“But the problem is Kalyn will need to stand in the front line, and will most probably have Hudson Young going at him; defensively he will need to stand up and make his tackles.”

Blues mainstays Cleary, Yeo and To’o will take to Suncorp Stadium to complete Magic Round, as will 20-year-old centre Casey McLean, who has been in consideration for a berth on the NSW wing.