Jackson Ford was left out of New South Wales’ State of Origin opener against Queensland next week, despite being widely tipped to make his Blues debut in Sydney. Laurie Daley named his 20 to face Queensland in game one without the 28-year-old Warriors forward.
Ford had been told by New South Wales to pack extra for last weekend’s trip to Brisbane to face the Broncos, a sign he was in the frame before selection day. Instead, Daley went with a different look, with Newcastle Knights prop Jacob Saifiti called up as a specialist front rower on an extended bench. Saifiti will make his third New South Wales appearance and his first since 2023.
The decision leaves Ford on the outside of a revamped squad that includes just one Warriors player, Mitch Barnett. Wayde Egan was overlooked in favour of Reece Robson and Blayke Brailey, while Barnett will start alongside Addin Fonua-Blake in the front row. Ford’s omission is the clearest sign that reputation and expectation counted for less than Daley’s preferred mix for the series opener.
The selection comes after State of Origin eligibility rules were relaxed this year, allowing players who have lived in either New South Wales or Queensland to be eligible even if they have chosen to represent another country at test level. That change broadened the pool for selectors and has already opened the door for players such as Addin Fonua-Blake, who has represented both the Kiwis and Tonga internationally, and Casey McLean, who was selected after growing up in New South Wales. Victor Radley could also make his State of Origin debut despite having played for England since 2022.
Ford, meanwhile, can point to a strong enough case for a first Blues call-up: he played 80 minutes in four out of 10 games for the Warriors, enough to keep him in the frame all season. But the final call belonged to Daley, and for now the balance of power sits with the 20-man squad named without him. Queensland’s side will be named later today, and game one of three kicks off at 10pm NZT on May 27.
For Ford, the wait continues. For Daley, the message is already clear: the series opener will be decided by the men he trusted, not the one who thought he was next.
