LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The mighty Raiders have announced that the young gun, Jake Young, has been named in the NSW Blues squad for the upcoming Origin opener on June 5.
Sea Eagles powerhouse Jake Trbojevic will be donning the captain's armband for a fresh-faced Blues outfit, handpicked by coach Michael Maguire who has injected six debutants into the team, including Panthers speedster Dylan Edwards.
Edwards, stepping into the shoes of the long-standing skipper James Tedesco, will be making his Origin debut as part of a squad that sees 11 players from last year's winning team not in the lineup for various reasons.
The NSW side will be relying on a mix of experience and new blood to take on the might of Queensland in the series opener at Accor Stadium.
With Tedesco out and injuries ruling out Nathan Cleary and Cameron Murray, Trbojevic's leadership skills will be put to the test as he faces off against his Manly teammate and Maroons captain, Daly Cherry-Evans.
Despite not being a regular skipper at club level, Trbojevic's experience and work ethic make him the perfect candidate for the role.
The Blues squad also features up-and-coming talent like Stephen Crichton and Cameron McInnes, both of whom will be looking to make their mark on the Origin stage.
It's a new era for NSW as they look to reclaim the Origin shield from their northern rivals in what is sure to be an epic battle on the field.