While rugby union-bound Suaalii only has to come through the Roosters’ showdown with the Raiders on Saturday to be included in Maguire’s first NSW team,St George Illawarra star Lomax is closing in on his first Origin cap.
Interim Parramatta coach Trent Barrett has promised changes after the Eels sacked Brad Arthur from the role.
Most experts thought Maguire would be forced to choose between Lomax,Suaalii and Josh Addo-Carr for the one position,but sources not authorised to speak about the team selection publicly said the Blues are leaning towards naming Lomax and Suaalii on Sunday night.
The Blues can announce up to 20 players as part of an extended squad,and Maguire will consider using training sessions to finalise the make-up of his back line with Lomax,Suaalii and Cronulla’s Jesse Ramien vying for two spots.
The addition of Lomax would represent a significant shock given it was widely thought he had yielded ground to Suaalii in the race to be Brian To’o’s wing partner after a blistering start to the year.
However,despite being sin binned for a professional foul in the Dragons’ 44-12 drubbing at the hands of the Bulldogs on Thursday night,Maguire has kept Lomax front of mind as he shapes a team with powerful outside backs capable of bringing the Blues out of their own territory.
Zac Lomax is closing in on a State of Origin call-up.Supplied
It would be another twist in a turbulent season for Lomax,who agreed to end the final two years of his St George Illawarra contract – worth $850,000 and $875,000 in 2025 and 2026 respectively – to.
Former Eels coach Brad Arthur during the negotiations,but on Monday.
Ramien is the other outside back under consideration as part of the extended squad,while To’o and Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton are walk-up back line selections.
Latrell Mitchell is almost certain to miss selection despite the unavailability of (hamstring),Bradman Best (hamstring) and Kotoni Staggs (rib) for game one.
South Sydney interim coach Ben Hornby said Mitchell was the one player who would have the Maroons the most worried.
“If I was standing on the other side,I know who I’d like to go up against,and it’s not Latrell,” Hornby said. “He’s always been a big-game player,I can’t see why he wouldn’t be in the picture. He wouldn’t let anyone down,that’s for sure.”
Mitchell will captain the Rabbitohs for just the third time on Saturday night during the Indigenous Round clash against Parramatta following Cody Walker’s calf injury.
Walker’s chances of winning the race for the NSW five-eighth jersey appear over after his latest injury,Maguire confirming he wants his squad to train unhampered in the Blue Mountains next week.
NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire.Getty
“I’d like them up and running to start with,” Maguire told The Big Sports Breakfast. “You don’t have a lot of time with them on the field. Using Cody as an example,I’ve been very transparent with a lot of the players and where they’re at.
“You just never know what could happen this weekend. I’ve got a pretty open mind about where we’re at. I’m very lucky I’ve got great players in good form.”
Maguire will be at PointsBet Stadium for the top four showdown between the Sharks and Panthers on Saturday night,casting an eye over Ramien,potential halves pairing Nicho Hynes and Jarome Luai as well as Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards,who is trying to usurp NSW captain James Tedesco at fullback.
Bulldogs star Matt Burton did his chances no harm of a recall after scoring two tries and 20 points in Canterbury’s thumping win over the Dragons.
“Having that[Origin] experience in the past helps,” Burton said. “I feel like I’m more mature now;I feel like I’m definitely ready.
“I’ll be happy to play anywhere. That versatility helps,but I’m just hoping I get that call. Running the ball,that’s when I’m at my best. If I can keep doing that,I’ll be good.”
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