LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
New South Wales Blues coach, Michael Maguire, has made his first major decision by naming a 36-man pre-season Origin camp squad, according to reports from zerotackle.com.
However, controversy surrounds Maguire's snub of Wests Tigers prop, Stefano Utoikamanu, who did not make the cut.
Utoikamanu, who made his NSW Blues debut last year, is the only player, apart from Tevita Pangai Junior, to have featured in a 2023 Origin game and not be selected for the pre-season squad.
Despite the shock announcement, The Daily Telegraph revealed that Utoikamanu remains in the plans of Maguire, who has reached out to the front-rower.
This decision could have significant ramifications for the Wests Tigers, as Utoikamanu has a contract clause that would make him a free agent at the end of the season, but only if he fails to play in three State of Origin games.