NSW and Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo will spend time in the front-row this Origin series to help cover the loss of Payne Haas, at least for game one, and largely because the Blues have the luxury of welcoming the return of premium lock Cameron Murray.
Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu could be the sole survivor from last year’s beaten pack, with Haas unavailable for the May 27 series opener in Sydney because of a knee injury. Canterbury’s Max King is also out with a broken jaw, the Warriors’ Mitch Barnett has been limited to four games due to various injuries, and the Roosters’ Spencer Leniu is struggling for minutes.
NSW coach Laurie Daley is looking at several options when he announces his squad on Monday, including the Warriors Jackson Ford, Cronulla’s Addin Fonua-Blake, and South Sydney’s Keaon Koloamatangi. Wests Tigers Terrell May and Penrith’s Lindsay Smith have also been discussed.
One bonus – and forgotten – option for the Blues, according to sources not authorised to speak publicly, is starting Yeo in the No. 13 jersey, then moving him to the front-row once Murray comes on.
Yeo has played up front this season for Penrith once Jack Cogger or Billy Phillips come on, while the Blues won a rare decider at Suncorp Stadium in 2024 when Yeo and Murray spent a large chunk of time on the field together.
What Yeo lacks in explosiveness, he makes up for with work rate, ball skills, go forward and calmness in the heat of battle.
Murray missed all of last year’s series after he ruptured his Achilles heel in the pre-season, and while he is also capable of playing on an edge, the same sources confirmed the Blues are privately excited about the idea of utilising him with Yeo in the middle.
Koloamatangi has played for NSW once, but is desperate to return to the Origin arena, and this time in the front-row.
The 27-year-old came off the bench in all three Ashes Tests at the end of last year for Australia, and would love the chance to pack for the Blues alongside fellow South Sydney juniors Murray and Fonua-Blake.
Such is his respect for Murray, Koloamatangi said it could have been a different Origin result had Murray been fit last year when the Maroons won the series 2-1.
“Cam is the best ball-playing lock in the game,” Koloamatangi said on Tuesday.
“The Blues missed him last year, he covers everywhere, he’s played on an edge with us – he would be one of the best edges in the game if he was to play there [regularly].
“Forwards win games, backs determine by how much. It’s not a coincidence we [Souths] are sitting in the top four with him back in the team.
“I’d love to get back there and see what I can do on the Origin arena, especially in the front-row.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with the Queensland and NSW boys in the Australian team, but to play Origin, especially at home in the first game, it would be pretty mad.”
Changes to Origin’s international eligibility rules means Fonua-Blake, who played a one-off Test for New Zealand, is now available for the Blues.
“I know the Queensland boys would probably be scared of him – he’s one of the most feared players in the NRL,” Koloamatangi said.
“He’s not scared of anything. I’m pretty sure he’d rip and tear for the Blues. Hopefully I’m able to be alongside him.”
The Origin teams are officially announced on Monday, with the Blues expected to name four front-rowers in their 20-man squad. Koloamatangi and Ford can also play on an edge, while backrower Angus Crichton has the versatility to play in the middle and both edges. It is also easy to forget Yeo spent the first half of his career in the second-row and at centre.
