Let's Talk Origin - New South Wales XVII

After a lot of debate, the time has come to pick who we think should make the final 17 man squad for New South Wales.

There's been plenty of talk about incumbency and sticking loyal to the players who did the job last year. At the end of the day though, the Blues will be without Jarryd Hayne, Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and Brett Morris from last year's squad, arguably four of the best Blues players over the last five years. Sticking loyal is great, but you have to be smart about it and Laurie Daley may need to think outside the box a bit too.

Anyway, here we go with our final 17, let's talk #ORIGIN!

NEW SOUTH WALES

1. JOSH DUGAN - There's been plenty of conjecture about Jarryd Hayne's replacement in the fullback jersey this year and Dugan has stamped his name all over it in recent weeks. Big, strong and robust, the Dragons number one has the most suited game to Origin football. His kick returns and work coming out of his own end are second to none, nearly always getting his team on the front foot at the beginning of each set. A proven performer at this level, Dugan has always performed on the big stage.

2. WILL HOPOATE - In his previous two Origin games including game two last year playing on the wing, Hopoate has done a more than admirable job. After a full off-season under his belt, his body will be more suited to the rigours of Origin football. Not afraid to do the tough work coming out of trouble, a vital trait for an Origin winger.

3. JOSH MORRIS - For the past few series, a lot of people have been wondering why the great Greg Inglis hasn't been tearing the NSW defensive line to shreds like he has for much of his Origin career. Quite simply, the answer is Josh Morris, arguably the best defensive centre in the game. Morris has done an outstanding job shutting done Inglis and always puts his body on the line for the sky blue jersey.

4. MICHAEL JENNINGS - A regular in the Blues line-up for the last five years, the fleet footed Jennings will again be looking to provide his state with some much needed attacking spark. Has constantly provided headaches for Queensland defenders over the years and his dummy half runs coming out of trouble will be vital.

5. DANIEL TUPOU - The young Roosters flyer debuted for the Blues last year playing in all three games and handled the occasion with minimum fuss. Has the frame to make plenty of yards coming out of trouble, just needs to run a bit harder at times. Tupou has a great height advantage on opposition wingers, a trait the Blues should be looking to use more effectively this year and his combination with Jennings out wide will be a major play in the Blues attack.

6. BLAKE AUSTIN - This one's a little out of the box, but a risk the Blues need to take. Gets the nod for me over James Maloney who's still missing more tackles than anyone in the competition. The Raiders pivot has been one of the comp's form players over the past month and deserves a chance at the next level. Some of the best NSW five-eights over the years have been great runners of the football and Austin more than fits that bill. An ultra-competitor and a great support player, Austin would pose a constant threat with the ball and the Blues need all the attack they can get.

7. MITCHELL PEARCE - The much maligned Roosters number seven has the best all round game of any half in the state. A steady Trent Hodkinson helped guide his state to Origin glory last year, but with no Hayne at the back, a steady hand won't be enough this year and Pearce is getting his team around the park better anyway. Pearce has a far superior running game, is creating more points and a much improved kicking game. The big concern obviously for Blues fans is his inability to step up at this level in the past, but since being left out of last year's side he's matured as a player and deserves another shot.

8. AARON WOODS - The Tigers and Australian front-rower is eating metres for breakfast this year to be one of the dominant forwards in the comp. Woods barely finishes a hit up on the back foot and is more than capable of popping an offload. His combination with Robbie Farah around the ruck will be vital in getting the Blues over the advantage line. Capable of playing big minutes in the middle and will be looking for more minutes in this year's series.

9. ROBBIE FARAH (c) - The Tigers rake has been one of the best for the Blues in recent years and his experience will be vital for the Blues with so many big names missing. Creates plenty of attacking opportunities out of dummy half and always works his heart out in defence. Will lead from the front as the skipper in Gallen's absence.

10. JAMES TAMOU - The Cowboys enforcer has lifted his game with every week that's rolled by this season. Tamou has been a big part of the Cowboys charge this year, helping them lay a solid platform with some big metres. Looks back to his best and has the potential with Woods to provide a dominant platform for the Blues to work off.

11. RYAN HOFFMAN - The passionate New South Welshman was awarded the Brad Fittler medal for the Blues best player last year alongside Jarryd Hayne which probably says it all. While Hayne provided the attacking spark to get NSW over the line, Hoffman was like a rock on his left edge making plenty of tough charges to get his team out of trouble throughout the series. The Warriors back-rower will have to prove his fitness first after suffering two game ending concussions in the last three weeks.

12. BEAU SCOTT - The hard hitting Knights back-rower will be again looking to provide nuisance value for Queensland's playmakers. The hard as nails Scott will no doubt make his presence felt yet again. With Bird and Gallen missing in game one, his raw aggression will be a vital cog in the Blues armour.

13. TYSON FRIZELL - With Gallen and Bird unavailable to fill the 13 jersey, the Blues should be looking for someone with a real aggressive running style at lock, enter Tyson Frizell. The Dragons back-rower is playing on the right edge at club level but has plenty of experience playing in the middle in previous years. Frizell is proving a constant menace for opposition defences with his powerful running style and is capable of playing big minutes.

Interchange

14. JOSH JACKSON - The Bulldogs back-rower looks like he was born to play Origin. Jackson was close to getting a start last year and was brought into the squad for what will prove valuable experience and his game has come on leaps and bounds in the 12 months since. With brute strength and power in his game, Jackson can come on out wide or in the middle of the field and play plenty of quality minutes. Has a real knack of turning up in the right place at the right time with some try saving tackles. Leads the comp for one on one tackles, bringing his man to the ground on 41 occasions this year.

15. LUKE LEWIS - The 17 game Origin veteran has been a valuable member of the Blues squad for a number of years and despite battling injury and illness in recent times, this year will be no different.There will be a temptation to thrust him into the run on side for his experience this year but no one has made more impact off the bench for NSW in recent years. His ability to come on with fresh legs and lift his team mates is second to none.

16. ANDREW FIFITA - The Sharks front-rower is well and truly back to his best this year. Fifita has been a tower of strength for the Sharks, leading his forward pack in the absence of Gallen. Is chewing up a truck load of metres and has been more selective with his offloads this year. Has the rare trait for a front-rower of being a match-winner capable of laying on a winning try for his team. His impact for the Blues off the bench could potentially turn the match on its head.

17. TRENT MERRIN - The Dragons lock forward could think himself a tad unlucky if he doesn't earn his first start this year, but such has been his service off the bench for the Blues in recent years, he is likely to again play an impact role. A regular since breaking into the team in 2011, Merrin will again cause plenty of headaches for some tiring defenders with his footwork before the line and his ability to offload.