Six from the south: Brisbane now a bastion of the blues

Six of the brightest Broncos stars are part of the selection teams from the original state of NSW coach Brad Fittler. Brisbane now prides itself on a healthy part of the next generation of blues players.

It is possible that, in the near future, the Broncos will provide more NSW home reps than in Queensland, a scenario previously considered unthinkable.

The Blues have named James Roberts, Jack Bird and Tevita Pangai Junior in the 32-man extended original team for next year, while Payne Haas, Kotoni Staggs and Matt Lodge have been selected from 23 Emerging Blues players.

In the 30-year history of the Broncos, only seven players have represented NSW at the original level – Glenn Lazarus, Terry Matterson, Chris Johns, Mick De Vere, Priddis Luke, Peter Wallace and James Roberts.

The Broncos have provided up to 12 Chestnuts in a Origin series, as in 1998, but last season they were only four with Corey Oates, Anthony Milford, Andrew McCullough and the late Josh McGuire.

Blues advisor Greg Alexander said it was "just a quirk" that the stars aligned themselves.

"It's a very attractive place to go, Brisbane, and the majority of their children that everyone is talking about are New South Welshmen residents," Alexander told NRL.com.

"The Broncos have managed to recruit good NSW juniors and most of them played against the NSW at 16, 18 or 20 years old.

"They followed the NSW development program and got themselves through the Broncos for one reason or another, whether it was the influence of Wayne Bennett or the mere fact that They just thought of going to the biggest club in the NRL. "

Roberts is the center-right NSW holder after an outstanding season for the Broncos and Blues. It is expected that it will keep its place in 2019 if it keeps its shape.

Bird, who played five games with Origin in NSW in 2016-17, had a troubled 2018 season. After returning from an operation at the shoulder, he then suffered a sternum injury ending the season.

Alexander said the Blues hierarchy had not forgotten Bird.

"We talked about Jack as center or five eighth for [the 2018] series, but just because of an injury, a lack of fitness, playing in the game and getting used to a new team … it did not work for him, "said Alexander.

"He's a quality player and there was no question that once his injury was eliminated, he would be in the game."

The Tongan international Pangai, who played against NSW under 18, has close ties to the state where he grew up and told Fittler that he would be available for the State of the State series. Origin in 2019.

Alexander said Pangai, who had faced a hamstring problem in the second half of the season, was impressed by his outstanding performance for Brisbane.

"Last year, we took Tevita to the NSW camp when we were in Brisbane for Game 3. He spent an afternoon and a night with us. [and stayed] for the presentation of the jersey that Tommy Raudonikis did before the match, "Alexander said.

"Tevita has been strong every time he has taken the field for the Broncos."

Lodge played for young people under 18 and under 20 while Haas was part of NSW's Under-18 team coached by Fittler in 2017.

While teenager Haas and the 20-year-old Staggs utilities are new to the NRL and are unlikely to play the role of Originally next year, the Fittler Champion in 2018, Originally from Nathan Cleary, Mitchell's Latrell, James Roberts and the Trbojevic brothers two years ago were also named in the emerging team.

"It's not because they're part of the emerging group that they will not be able to play at Origin next year," said Alexander about the Brisbane trio.

"We never know who will be available before the 10th day and these three players are already great.

"Matthew Lodge was probably the most consistent striker of the Broncos last season and Staggs is an exciting player who can play a little bit anywhere.We have been talking about Payne Haas for a long time, but he does not have a good time. just did not play a lot in first year. "

For NSW's brains to be confident, their continued success is to be well prepared for 2019 and the future, and to let potential players know that they are in the frame so they can grow in key areas. to be ready for the Origin cauldron.