As the NRL draw rolls over to the month of May, focus is now shifting towards the 2026 State of Origin series which kicks off on May 27 at Accor Stadium.

A number of stars including Payne Haas, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Jeremiah Nanai are all set to miss Game I due to injury. This opens the door for several players to receive their maiden Origin selections.

SEN’s Greg Alexander and Jimmy Smith discussed the vacant positions for both teams and which players deserve the call up to rugby league’s biggest stage.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Fullback

2025 selections: Dylan Edwards

Jimmy: “Dylan Edwards is playing superbly and James Tedesco is playing superbly.

“Personally, I’d have Dylan Edwards as the fullback.”

Brandy: “Tedesco is one of the all-time greats (but) Dylan Edwards is the incumbent.”

Wing

2025 selections: Brian To’o and Zac Lomax

Jimmy: “I think it leaves Campbell Graham who could be an option.

Brandy: “Mark Nawaqanitawase and Jacob Kiraz are both out with injury."

Centre

2025 selections: Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell

Brandy: “What about Kotoni Staggs? He was playing well at the start of the season when Brisbane weren’t.”

Prop

2025 selections: Mitch Barnett and Payne Haas

Jimmy: “I know one person who has done enough to be picked and that’s Jackson Ford.”

Brandy: “Can you pick Addin Fonua-Blake? Has he done enough?

“Spencer Leniu only had 14 minutes over the weekend.”

Hooker

2025 selections: Reece Robson

Jimmy: “Blayke Brailey will be on my bench. The suspension of Api Koroisau just paves the way for Brailey.”

Brandy: “Reece Robson has put his hand up in the last three weeks and said he deserves that starting spot at hooker.”

Second Row

2025 selections: Liam Martin and Angus Crichton

Jimmy: “Is Haumole Olakau’atu (a chance)? I think Hudson Young has got to be there.”

Brandy: “Liam Martin won’t be fit for the first game so I think Olakau’atu and Young will be picked.”

Lock

2025 selections: Isaah Yeo

Brandy: “With no Payne Haas, you need to have Cameron Murray and Isaah Yeo to play big minutes on the field.

“Cameron’s best position is around the ruck. There are enough in-form second rowers.”

QUEENSLAND

Fullback

2025 selections: Kalyn Ponga and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Jimmy: “In the last 20 minutes of the Roosters v Broncos game, Reece Walsh was a part of everything that the Broncos did right. It was then over to you Kalyn Ponga.

“Kalyn Ponga was superb on Sunday. You have to pick both Ponga and Walsh but then who starts? I’d start with Walsh.”

Brandy: “Neither were the starting fullback for Game III last year. I’d start with Kalyn Ponga and I’d say I’d be in the minority.”

Centre

2025 selections: Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes and Gehamat Shibasaki

Jimmy: “Hammer (Tabuai-Fidow) will be on the left side and Robert Toia will be on the right side.”

Brandy: “Toia and Hammer.”

Five-eighth

2025 selections: Cameron Munster

Brandy: “Cameron Munster will be the five-eighth but he’s not in good form. Who could come in if he were unavailable? Ezra Mam.”

Prop

2025 selections: Moeaki Fotuaika, Josh Papali’i and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Jimmy: “For me, it’s Reuben Cotter. You just lock him in. Tino will be there so you can lock that in.”

Lock

2025 selections: Patrick Carrigan and Trent Loiero

Jimmy: “Pat Carrigan will be the lock so you can just put him in there.”

Game II returns to Melbourne at the MCG on June 17. The series will conclude at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on June 8.