Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns have made six changes to the side which reclaimed State of Origin bragging rights, with NSW’s own captain unable to escape the chopping block.
Ahead of the series kicking off on May 28th, the eighth Immortal Johns and former NSW coach Fittler threw their support behind 2024 Origin debutant Mitch Barnett to be promoted from the bench to starting side at the expense of inspirational NSW captain Jake Trbojevic.
“I just think Mitch Barnett has a bit more punch in attack - he can play that Jake Trbojevic role defensively - but I just think in attack Mitch has a bit more punch,” Johns said on Freddy & the Eighth.
SPORTING NEWS’ TAKE: Predicted NSW Origin team | Predicted Queensland Origin team
Wests Tigers recruit Terrell May - currently sitting second on the Dally M ladder - was not named.
"[May] is every chance of playing for NSW, from what he's done the last couple of weeks and what he did last year," Gus Gould said on Six Tackles With Gus. "Terrell May is a late maturer, but he is producing Origin-like benchmarks in his game."
For the pair’s predicted Origin side, Latrell Mitchell, Nathan Cleary, Haumole Olakau'atu also return to the fold.
FREDDY AND JOEY’S PREDICTED NEW SOUTH WALES ORIGIN 1 TEAM
- Dylan Edwards
- Brian To’o
- Latrell Mitchell
- Stephen Crichton
- Zac Lomax
- Jarome Luai
- Nathan Cleary
- Mitch Barnett
- Reece Robson
- Payne Haas
- Liam Martin
- Angus Crichton
- Isaah Yeo
- Connor Watson
- Hudson Young
- Haumole Olakau’atu
- Spencer Leniu
NEW SOUTH WALES ORIGIN III 2024 TEAM
- Dylan Edwards
- Brian To’o
- Bradman Best
- Stephen Crichton
- Zac Lomax
- Jarome Luai
- Mitch Moses
- Jake Trbojevic
- Reece Robson
- Payne Haas
- Liam Martin
- Angus Crichton
- Cam Murray
- Connor Watson
- Isaah Yeo
- Mitch Barnett
- Spencer Leniu
State of Origin 2025 series schedule
Game 1
Wednesday, May 28 - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Maroons will have the home-ground advantage to kick off the 2025 series.
In 61 matches at Lang Park/Suncorp Stadium, Queensland holds a formidable record of 39 wins.
Slater's side will be desperate to restore some pride after the Blues ground out a 14-4 win in Game 3 to seal the series in 2024, their first win in a decider in Brisbane since 2005.
MORE: Which state has won more Origin series?
Game 2
Wednesday, June 18 - Optus Stadium, Perth
Game 2 sees the series head west to Perth.
The venue has hosted two Origin clashes previously, in 2019 and 2022, with the Blues coming away big winners on both occasions, with an aggregate score of 82-18.
Tickets for Game 2 went on sale last November and can be purchased here.
Game 3
Wednesday, July 9 - Accor Stadium, Sydney
Will the series still be alive by the time we get to Sydney?
In 32 Origin matches at the venue in Sydney's Olympic Park, the home side have come away with the victory on 20 occasions.
The 2024 opener was hosted at the venue but the Maroons earned a big victory, playing against 12 men for most of the match after Joseph Sua'ali'i's early send off.