Crystelle Cordero
EIGHT days out from arguably the biggest State of Origin in history, Blues coach Laurie Daley has announced the 17-man squad he hopes can end the Maroons’ eight-year series streak on Wednesday 18 June.
At a glittering NSW Business Chamber Blue Bloods luncheon at Stadium Australia, Daley named Parramatta Eels three-quarter Will Hopoate on the wing and St. George-Illawarra Dragons utility Josh Dugan at centre to replace the injured Morris brothers.
The full Blues squad is:
1 Jarryd Hayne; 2 Will Hopoate; 3 Josh Dugan; 4 Michael Jennings; 5 Daniel Tupou; 6 Josh Reynolds; 7 Trent Hodkinson; 8 Aaron Woods; 9 Robbie Farah; 10 Paul Gallen; 11 Ryan Hoffman; 12 Beau Scott; 13 Greg Bird. Interchange: 14 James Tamou; 15 Anthony Watmough; 16 Luke Lewis; 17 Trent Merrin.
Coach Daley called on Blues fans to fill every seat in the 83,996-seat Stadium Australia and to snap up remaining tickets, available here.
“We know how much this game means to the people of NSW and the fans certainly have a role to play by making Stadium Australia a Blues stronghold on 18 June,” said Daley.
Reflecting on the magnitude of the upcoming game, Daley said: “I want them [the players] to be excited and I want them to understand that every Origin game is a unique part of history. For us, it’s not about worrying about what happened two weeks ago, it’s about what we can do going forward.”
You can guarantee a premium seat for the historic Origin II – and every event at Stadium Australia – by becoming an Stadium Australia Member. To enquire about Stadium Australia Membership, click here.
A small number of corporate seats remain for the big game. Here’s your chance to impress your clients and to be part of history. Official Hospitality enquiries here.
