League: Idris bolts onto Blues bench

Canterbury teenager Jamal Idris’ physical tussle with Parramatta’s Timana Tahu showed NSW selectors he is ready for Origin. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Canterbury teenager Jamal Idris will make his State of Origin debut after a series of powerhouse performances won him a spot on the NSW bench for game one against Queensland on May 26.

The giant 19-year-old Bulldog is the bolter in the Blues side and won his spot after a physical tussle with Parramatta's Timana Tahu a fortnight ago and then a powerful display for Country in the Origin trial against City.

Dual international Tahu has capped a stunning return to rugby league with a call-up to the side in the contentious right centre position.

However, Tahu's comeback could be over before it begins after twisting his ankle in the last minute of Parramatta's 19-12 win over Manly last night.

Tahu was limping badly after the game but was confident he would be fit to play his first Origin game since 2006.

"It's just a bit of soreness, that's all," Tahu told the Sydney Morning Herald. "Hopefully tomorrow it'll feel a bit better, but it's just a little twist. I got stuck in the mud."

Tahu returned to play for Parramatta after two seasons with the NSW Waratahs and Wallabies.

Selectors have moved him from his usual left side to the right, where he will have the huge task of containing Maroons champion Greg Inglis.

As expected, Manly co-captain Jamie Lyon has been named at five-eighth for the ANZ Stadium clash despite playing in his preferred position of centre with the Sea Eagles.

Despite the selectors declaring they would stay loyal to the players who delivered the Blues a 28-16 victory in game three at Suncorp Stadium last year, they have made seven changes to that side.

Gone are centres Michael Jennings and Josh Morris, five-eighth Trent Barrett, prop Justin Poore and interchange forward Glenn Stewart, while winger David Williams (shoulder) and utility Craig Wing (Japanese rugby union) are unavailable.

There was also no room for Cronulla test forward Paul Gallen or bad boys Greg Bird, Todd Carney and Willie Mason.

Kurt Gidley has seen off the challenge of winger Jarryd Hayne to retain the fullback position and the captaincy of the side, which is charged with ending a record four years of Queensland dominance in the series.

St George Illawarra centre Matt Cooper will play on the left alongside tryscoring clubmate Brett Morris, while veteran halfback Brett Kimmorley will form another club combination with Canterbury hooker Michael Ennis.

Test props Michael Weyman and Josh Perry join the entire back row from game three last year in Ben Creagh, Trent Waterhouse and Anthony Watmough.

In-form Penrith lock Luke Lewis fills the bench utility position, with Canberra giant Tom Learoyd-Lahrs to play his second Origin game and Melbourne's Brett White rounding out the interchange players.

NSW
Kurt Gidley (capt), Brett Morris, Matt Cooper, Timana Tahu, Jarryd Hayne, Jamie Lyon, Brett Kimmorley, Michael Weyman, Michael Ennis, Josh Perry, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Creagh, Anthony Watmough.

Interchange: Jamal Idris, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Luke Lewis, Brett White.

- AAP, NZ HERALD STAFF