Jake Trbojevic will miss the Origin series opener for the first time since 2016 after being left out of the New South Wales squad.
While ‘Jurbo’ has been a proven performer for the Blues across half a decade, selectors opted to go in a different direction with the likes of Cameron Murray, Tariq Sims, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Ryan Matterson set to make up the bulk of the state’s forward pack.
Although Trbojevic is in solid club form for Manly, SEN’s Bryan Fletcher thinks the Blues made the “right decision” to leave Trbojevic out due to the early season play of other available forwards.
“He didn’t play Game II or III last year,” Fletcher said on SEN 1170 The Run Home.
“I think it’s fair, I think (Ryan) Matterson is playing better than him.
“I don’t think anyone’s going to oust (Isaah) Yeo, because he’s just controlling the game at the moment.
“It is sad, because he’s such a great bloke and he’s so wholehearted.
“But, I think they’ve made the right decision.”
New South Wales assistant Greg Alexander also addressed the decision to omit Trbojevic, adding that it was “difficult” to leave the 28-year-old out of the squad.
“I’m not going to sit here and criticise Jake Trbojevic, he’s been great for New South Wales, fantastic,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It was a very difficult decision to come up with the squad we have and leave those players out.
“It’s not as though they’ve been discarded without any thought whatsoever.
“But, we decided to go in another way.”
New South Wales are preparing for State of Origin Game I which is set for Wednesday June 8 at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.