With no Greg Inglis, Johnathon Thurston in doubt for game one and Billy Slater not selected, NSW have a strong chance to draw first blood in State Of Origin according to former Blue Terry Campese.
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Queensland have dominated one of Australian’s sports biggest rivalries, but NSW are on the hunt for a second series win in the last 12 years.
Both teams were named on Monday and Campese, who played one game in 2008, believes the Blues can take advantage.
“I’ve been saying for too many years now that we are going to win, but looking at the teams there is no better opportunity than at the moment,” Campese said.
He believes the Blues have the strike weapons to win back the shield.
However the form of some of the NSW-based team does have him concerned.
“The only downfall for NSW is that some of the players are playing in teams that aren’t travelling too well, like your Tedescos,” Campese said.
“Hopefully they can get in there, gel straight away and their confidence grows as when your club isn’t travelling too well you seem to be in that slump.”
There is plenty of Riverina flavour in the team with Andrew Fifita named on the bench, Jack De Belin picked as 18th man and Laurie Daley as coach.
In Wagga as part of his NRL Ambassador role, Campese was looking to help coaches implement ways to keep kids in the sport during a special session on Monday night.
“It’s massive to keep the kids in the game,” he said.
“We want to see more of the Johnathon Thurstons and Cameron Smiths in the future and these coaches play a big part in that.
“When we were growing up there was only rugby league and rugby union really, there wasn't much choice.
“But these days with the amount of money getting pumped into AFL, soccer and even NFL at the moment in Canberra, there is a lot of choice and you have to do the best you can to keep the kids in the game.”
Campese will also be at Wagga’s round of the Mortimer Shield on Tuesday where around 600 primary school children will take part.