Isaah Yeo is set to make his State of Origin debut next week after being called up to an injury-hit Blues squad.
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The Blues suffered a shock 18-14 loss to Queensland in game one on Wednesday night and that result has been made even more painful after it was confirmed back-rowers Boyd Cordner and Cameron Murray were ruled out.
NSW coach Brad Fittler named a new-look 21-man squad for game two on Friday afternoon, with Yeo and Parramatta enforcer Nathan Brown both in line for their debuts after being selected on the bench.
Both had been named in Fittler's initial 27-man Blues squad but didn't make the final 17 for game one.
The selection is the latest in a string of memorable moments for Yeo this season.
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The St John's junior was named the Dally M Lock of the Year after starring for a Penrith Panthers side which won the minor premiers and made it to this season's grand final.
While he found a home in the number 13 jersey this season, Yeo has proven himself a versatile player in his time at the foot of the mountains and his ability to play out wide in the second row and consistency in defence will no doubt have been noticed by Fittler.
Alongside Yeo and Brown on the Blues bench is the returning Dale Finucane, while Angus Crichton will start in the second row for outgoing captain Cordner and Payne Haas will start at prop.
The other notable change in the squad is the dropping of five-eighth Luke Keary, with Cody Walker promoted from the bench to partner Nathan Cleary.
James Tedesco has taken over as captain after Cordner announced he would sit out the rest of the series following another head knock on Wednesday night.
"As hard as it was, it is the right call based on the fact that I have had a few knocks this year," Cordner said on Friday, having missed seven games due to head knocks this year.
"I feel really good after Wednesday's game; I've pulled up fine. I have no concerns about the knock in Game One. I passed the HIA test and was happy to return to the field.
"The decision is more precautionary than anything. It has been a big year and now I can just rest up and relax with a good break coming up. I will be leaving camp today."
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
