Greg Bird has been selected to make his 17th appearance for NSW in his first representative game after being suspended for a lifting tackle in last year’s Anzac Test.
The 32-year-old Titans back-rower missed all of last year’s series, after playing a leading role in the Blues’ only series victory in a decade in 2014, but coach Laurie Daley has welcomed him back after his fine form in the opening rounds of the Telstra Premiership.
“I’m really excited to be back in the squad; it was pretty hard watching us lose the series 2-1 last year and not being able to contribute after winning in 2014,” he said.
“There are some new young faces and plenty of Origin experience too; I think it’s a very strong squad.
“I can’t wait to get out there.”
It will be Bird’s first representative appearance since being suspended for two months after last year’s Test loss to New Zealand and he is raring to make amends for lost time.
Titans prop Ryan James has been overlooked but his consistent good form this season will keep him under the selectors’ gaze.
Bird is the second most experienced player behind Paul Gallen (21 appearances) in the Blues squad. He first played for his state in 2007 while Gallen debuted in 2006.
The Queensland team will be announced tomorrow.
The Blues 19-man squad, in alphabetical order, is:
Name |
NRL Club |
D.O.B |
Junior Club |
Origin App |
Greg Bird |
Gold Coast Titans |
|
West Maitland Red Dogs/ Maitland Pumpkin Pickers |
16 |
Boyd Cordner |
Sydney Roosters |
|
Old Bar Pirates |
5 |
Josh Dugan |
St George Illawarra Dragons |
|
South Tuggeranong Knights/ Valley Dragons |
8 |
Robbie Farah |
Wests Tigers |
|
Enfield Federals/ Leichhardt Wanderers |
13 |
Blake Ferguson |
Sydney Roosters |
|
Wellington Cowboys/ Earlwood Saints |
1 |
Andrew Fifita |
Cronulla Sharks |
|
Griffith Waratahs/ St Patricks Blacktown |
4 |
Tyson Frizell |
St George Illawarra Dragons |
|
Corrimal Cougars |
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
Paul Gallen (c) |
Cronulla Sharks |
|
Wentworthville Magpies |
21 |
Josh Jackson |
Canterbury Bulldogs |
|
Gulgong Terriers/ Mudgee Dragons |
3 |
Michael Jennings |
Parramatta Eels |
|
St Marys/ West City Tigers |
15 |
David Klemmer |
Canterbury Bulldogs |
|
All Saints Toongabbie |
3 |
James Maloney |
Cronulla Sharks |
|
St Edwards Gosford |
3 |
Josh Mansour |
Penrith Panthers |
|
St Johns Eagles/ Kingsgrove Colts |
Nil |
Josh Morris |
Canterbury Bulldogs |
|
Kiama Knights |
11 |
Matt Moylan |
Penrith Panthers |
16/6/1991 |
St Patricks Blacktown/ St Clair Comets |
Nil |
Adam Reynolds |
South Sydney Rabbitohs |
|
Alexandria Rovers/ Kensington United |
Nil |
|
North Queensland Cowboys |
|
Paddington Tigers/ Levin Knights |
11 |
Dylan Walker |
Manly Sea Eagles |
|
Mascot Jets |
Nil |
Aaron Woods |
Wests Tigers |
|
Leichhardt Juniors |
8 |
|
Penrith Panthers |
|
St Marys |
Nil |
