NSW Blues team

NSW Origin team: Luai gets nod for Freddie's fresh-faced Blues

Mt Druitt-bred livewires Jarome Luai and Brian To'o, as well as workhorse back-rower Liam Martin, have been named for their Blues debuts alongside Penrith co-captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo.

Luai's rise to the NSW five-eighth jersey means Jack Wighton will be the bench utility as Cleary and Luai reprise a halves partnership they first struck up as 15-year-olds in Penrith's junior system.

Fittler is leaning on his junior club's strong representation to help atone for their upset defeat at the hands of Queensland in what was dubbed the "unloseable" 2020 series.