State of Origin 2025 | NSW Blues selection decisions for 2026; Jake Trbojevic; Cameron Murray, Mitch Barnett and Mitchell Moses injuries

When a team is beaten on attitude, or as Phil Gould described it “out Origin’d”, it’s hard to see where the changes should come for the Blues next year.

When you look at the Origin III teams side by side, on paper, the Blues are way ahead.

But as we’ve seen with rugby league’s greatest spectacle, talent doesn’t guarantee wins and Queensland have proven that over and over again.

PLAYER RATINGS: Gun’s ‘worst’ game leads to NSW implosion

READ MORE: ‘That’s one proud dad’: What Munster asked of his father

READ MORE: The Max factor and power play behind bombshell Horner axing

In game one, NSW’s forward power was monstrous and the overall difference.

This time in game three, the Blues had only two forwards run for over 100 metres. At the other end of the spectrum, the Maroons had five.

That’s where most of the heat will be directed, along with the plans the Blues put in place to combat an almost impenetrable Maroons defence.

Attention now turns to what the team could look like for game one 2026.

Who’s under the pump?

When you look at NSW’s squad, it’s hard to decide who you wouldn’t pick next time around.

They’re all good players in their own right and deserved to be there. But the reality of a series loss, that should have been won, is that personnel will be under the microscope.

When it comes to the front row, the metres just weren’t there.

Max King, who only played 22 minutes, had six runs for 37 metres. Stefano Utoikamanu only played four minutes longer and had six runs for 54 metres.

The consideration that will come from those numbers is, what do those two do that Terrell May doesn’t? Depending on May’s form next year, it’ll be a selection decision to seriously ponder for the Blues.

Then there’s the name that’s escaped mention recently. Jake Trbojevic.

When the experts crucified NSW’s attitude and commitment in game three, you can’t help but think of the inspirational skipper from the 2024 series.

While Trbojevic is no longer at his best on a week to week basis at club level, there’s no doubt he’d offer so much when it comes to leadership and attitude. He was out for Origin I through injury and it was unlikely he was going to be selected.

But now the question must be asked. Is this NSW side better or worse without Jake Trbojevic’s leadership?

Jarome Luai‘s Blues future will also be under scrutiny.

In games two and three, he came up with two shocker first kicks which didn’t set the tempo well. In Perth, he kicked the ball out and in Sydney he hit it way too long into the in-goal, allowing Queensland a 20 metre restart.

If Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary are fit, Luai won’t be making the side. Blues selectors will pray next year that the Eels playmaker can get his body right for the whole series.

Laurie Daley will almost certainly consider what could’ve been if he had a fit Moses and Cleary controlling games two and three. They were dynamic in game one.

If Tom Trbojevic starts next year fit and firing for Manly, he’ll also come under consideration. But where would he play?

Zac Lomax didn’t have his best game on Wednesday, missing a crucial tackle on Gehamat Shibasaki which led to the first try. Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell are mainstays but who knows how good Trbojevic could be playing in the future if he stays at centre.

Then there’s the bench. It seemed as though Daley wasn’t sure how to use Hudson Young, who was injected into the decider with 27 minutes left.

Young is a second-rower but with two 80-minute second-rowers in Angus Crichton and Liam Martin, he’s not needed there. He’s been used in the middle but is it his best spot or were the Blues selectors too greedy picking three edge forwards?

If Cameron Murray is fit next year, he’ll be taking the spot of either Young, Utoikamanu or King.

Then there’s the hooker role. Reece Robson was simply gassed from the 46 tackles he made in 53 minutes. And when Connor Watson came on, he tried to inject some creativity but it was too late.

Would the likes of Blayke Brailey, Mitch Kenny or Api Koroisau do much better behind a beaten forward pack? Unlikely.

The men who will be safe … just

The drums are beating for Nathan Cleary to win a decider. And then there was no harsher critic than himself post-match.

But to axe him for next year would be an even bigger call than the one Billy Slater made on Daly Cherry-Evans.

He’s the best player in the game, and is unlikely to be at peak fitness. And as mentioned, played behind a beaten forward pack.

But as Isaiya Katoa continues to shine, the conversation will grow louder and louder.

The safety of Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Payne Haas, Angus Crichton, Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell goes without saying.

No doubt some Blues supporters would’ve loved more from Dylan Edwards at the back in terms of creativity but the man is a tackling, metre-eating machine.

Liam Martin has also come under criticism in the social media world, but there’s not many better Origin competitors.

Spencer Leniu didn’t have the same impact he usually does off the bench but it’s hard to change the momentum when it’s already well and truly against your side. He’ll be there next year.

How different is this side when everyone is fit?

The reason Gould doesn’t like talking Origin until essentially the week of, is because of injuries.

Every year, both sides are cursed by at least one or two blows before selection or before the game. Mitchell Moses went down between games one and two this year and it changed the series.

Murray was gone before the season started and is a Blues stalwart. Mitch Barnett was ruled out after Origin I as well and his absence was significantly noted.

Cleary, Haas, and To’o all struggled with fitness too, although you couldn’t tell with the latter two.

Daley will have every possible finger crossed that he has a full strength side next year.