BY CURTIS WOODWARD & CODIE BROOKS

The New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons have confirmed their squads for the opening State of Origin match of the 2023 series.

Brad Fittler has handed Nicho Hynes his debut sky blue jersey but will play from the bench with Jarome Luai retaining his starting five-eigth position despite some sketchy form and pressure from Hynes.

Veteran Tyson Frizell gets another shot at QLD while Hudson Young will also make his debut.

But there was no room for Campbell Graham in the 17 with Tom Trbojevic finding some form against Canberra yesterday.

Graham has been named as 18th man.

Api Koroisau is the preferred hooker over Damien Cook.

“Damien Cook has played good, Cookie’s played well. We didn’t think the two hooker situation worked for us and we’ve tried it a number of times,” Blues assistant Greg Alexander said on SEN radio.

“We just thought we’d go with one hooker and Api gets the nod.

“Api’s ability out of dummy half to not just play off the back of a quick play-the-ball, probably got him the nod. The fact that Api can play off the back foot.”

Meanwhile QLD has axed Kalyn Ponga, Kurt Capewell and Dane Gagai for Game I.

Broncos star Reece Walsh will wear the number 1 jersey in Adelaide with Tom Flegler and Lindsay Collins to start up front in the engine room while David Fifita returns to the fold after a barnstorming start to the season with the Titans.

Predicted final 17 (squad only announced)

NSW

1: James Tedesco
2: Brian To’o
3: Tom Trbojevic
4: Latrell Mitchell
5: Josh Addo-Carr
6: Jarome Luai
7: Nathan Cleary
8: Payne Haas
9: Api Koroisau
10: Junior Paulo
11: Cameron Murray
12: Liam Martin
13: Isaah Yeo

14: Nicho Hynes
15: Hudson Young
16: Tevita Pangai
17: Tyson Frizell

18: Campbell Graham

QLD

1: Reece Walsh
2: Selwyn Cobbo
3: Valentine Holmes
4: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5: Murray Taulagi
6: Cameron Munster
7: Daly Cherry-Evans
8: Tom Flegler
9: Ben Hunt
10: Lindsay Collins
11: Tom Gilbert
12: David Fifita
13: Patrick Carrigan

14: Harry Grant
15: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
16: Reuben Cotter
17: Jai Arrow
18 Tom Dearden
19 Christian Welch