State of Origin 2026: James Maloney calls for Laurie Daley to axe NSW star, call on Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga, NSW v Queensland Game 1, Stefano UtoikamanuDual premiership winner James Maloney has urged Laurie Daley not to pick Stefano Utoikamanu as the NSW coach mulls over his team for State of Origin Game 1.The Origin series opener in Sydney is just two weeks away, and both NSW and Queensland will announce their squads following Magic Round on Monday.Daley has several selection headaches, such as whether to go with incumbent Dylan Edwards at fullback or the in-form James Tedesco, and whether to pick the struggling Stephen Crichton or go with Kotoni Staggs at centre.But his biggest headache arguably comes in the forwards.With pack leader Payne Haas sidelined with injury and the likes of Addin Fonua-Blake and Keaon Koloamatangi struggling for form, his decision is not clear-cut.But he has no shortage of options, such as Warriors forwards Mitch Barnett and Jackson Ford, Tigers duo Alex Twal and Terrell May and Melbourne enforcer Stefano Utoikamanu.While there is also a growing school of thought that Isaah Yeo could start at prop.But there is one player Maloney doesn’t want to see lining up for NSW in a fortnight’s time, Utoikamanu.Maloney, who played 14 State of Origin games for the Blues between 2013 and 2019, said onnews.com.au’s Extended Benchthat the Storm prop doesn’t have the leg speed to succeed in the Origin arena.Sponsored content“I like picking guys in Origin that have good leg speed. There is no way I could pick Stefano,” Maloney said onnews.com.au’s Extended Bench.“I just think watching Melbourne for weeks and weeks, they lack punch.“He’s a big body, but you want punch out of him, and I don’t think he has given that.”
James Maloney doesn’t want to see Stefano Utoikamanu picked for the NSW Blues. Image: Extended Bench/GettyJames Maloney’s NSW Blues Origin team for Game 1:1. Dylan Edwards2. Josh Addo-Carr3. Latrell Mitchell4. Stephen Crichton5. Brian To’o6. Mitch Moses7. Nathan Cleary8. Addin Fonua-Blake9. Reece Robson10. Mitch Barnett11. Hudson Young12. Haumole Olakau’atu13. Cameron Murray14. Ethan Strange15. Jackson Ford16. Isaah Yeo17. Lindsay Smith18. Connor Watson19. Angus Crichton
There is growing debate around whether Kalyn Ponga or Reece Walsh should be the Maroons No.1 (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)Reece Walsh v Kalyn PongaWhile the Blues have a few selection questions, the Maroons’ biggest question is who wears the No. 1 jersey, Reece Walsh or Kalyn Ponga?Queensland legend Cameron Smith called for Billy Slater to axe Walsh for the State of Origin series opener, feeling Kalyn Ponga offers more in the fullback role.“The contentious positions were halfback and fullback, and I’ve gone for KP,” he said on Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday night.“The form that KP’s shown in the past fortnight since coming back from that hamstring injury, I think he’s gotta be there.”Should Queensland put out an SOS to DCE?Ponga has played off the bench at Origin level before, and many are of the belief that he and Walsh can both be in the 19-man squad.However, Maloney believes whichever way they go they can’t go wrong.“You could go either way (at fullback) it’s not really a concern,” Maloney said onnews.com.au’s Extended Bench.