Abandoned by big name players and fans, is the traditional NSW Origin trial in jeopardy?

Lining up for the Kangaroos against the Kiwis this Friday in the Anzac Test gives the Cronulla Sharks and NSW Origin captain, Paul Gallen, some respite from an already torrid year.

Having won the battle, NSW coach Ricky Stuart says the Blues now have to prove they can win the war after Todd Carney stepped up to the plate to set up a State of Origin decider with a 16-12 win on Wednesday night.

Mitchell Pearce has backed Todd Carney to put his uninspiring NSW debut behind him and come out firing in next Wednesday’s second State of Origin clash in Sydney.

The first person to call Todd Carney minutes after he was named NSW Origin five-eighth was his good friend and the bloke who’ll wear the No.7 for the Blues, Mitchell Pearce.

Josh Dugan has played down his chances of making the NSW State of Origin team but admits a big game against Parramatta next Sunday might see him leapfrog Jarryd Hayne and Brett Stewart for the Blues No.1 spot.

OLD firm Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney look set to be reunited as NSW’s State of Origin halves pairing after starring in Sunday’s City-Country clash in Mudgee.

NRL star Jarryd Hayne won’t be locking himself indoors but you also won’t find him out in Kings Cross again after a second late-night incident in the notorious Sydney suburb.

NSW rugby league coach Ricky Stuart has taken the unusual step of naming a 20-man squad for next week’s State of Origin decider in a group that includes Wests Tigers prop Keith Galloway.

Sydney Roosters veteran Anthony Minichiello has been hurriedly called into the NSW State of Origin team camp after scans confirmed fullback Josh Dugan will miss game two on Wednesday week.