NSW Origin coach Daley has No.1 headache

NSW coach Laurie Daley is considering a backline full of No.1s for next year’s State of Origin series and won’t shy away from picking stars out of position.

Daley managed to squeeze Josh Dugan, Matt Moylan and James Tedesco into his side but with Jarryd Hayne returning to league after his NFL hiatus and Manly young gun Tom Trbojevic pushing his case, he has a looming selection headache.

Such is the depth of the Blues’ talent in the custodian position that Daley could pick five players who slot in at fullback at club level.

While it shapes as a gamble to play his troops out of positions, Daley said he’s not afraid to do so.

“It won’t worry me to pick people out of position,” Daley said at the announcement that the Blues would base themselves at Kingscliff in northern NSW for two matches next year.

“Especially guys like Moylan, Dugan’s playing centre for Australia, Trbojevic is playing fullback for Manly, Hayne is playing fullback for the Titans but they can all play a number of positions and I’d have every confidence in picking them in other positions.

“You’ve got Tedesco there that could play fullback or wing. But if they’re good enough, they can adapt.”

Penrith skipper Moylan this year shifted into five-eighth for Origin game three after playmaker Adam Reynolds was ruled out through injury.

Dugan has worn the No.1 for St George Illawarra but has played at centre and wing at state and international level.

Tedesco is the incumbent Blues fullback but would be shifted out wide with Hayne, who was instrumental in the side’s 2014 drought-breaking series win, making his return.

While Trbojevic is expected to next year push for a maiden NSW jumper, especially with a spot open with Panthers winger Josh Mansour to miss most of the first half of the season with a knee injury.

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