EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Johns names surprising Origin contender as injured NSW Blues players scramble to recover

Andrew Johns has proposed a surprising selection for the NSW Blues this year, as several key players race against time to recover for the State of Origin opener.

Injuries will keep wingers Brian To’o and Zac Lomax on the sidelines, with Lomax suffering a broken foot during Parramatta’s round five victory over the Dragons.

Both players would have been near-certain picks for Laurie Daley’s squad, but now they must demonstrate their fitness ahead of the first match on May 28.

Mitchell Moses, who may not secure a spot even if fit, is expected to return for the Eels in round nine, while there are concerns surrounding Tom Trbojevic’s condition.

Discussing on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour, the Blues legend evaluated the prospects of the four players and whether they’ll be fit to face the Maroons.

“I reckon Zac will only need a week to recover since it’s a break,” Johns noted.

“Players with soft tissue injuries generally require two to three games to get back into it, which applies to Brian To’o and his hamstring. As for Mitch Moses, he’s been sidelined for a while, so he’d likely need three games. Turbo’s situation remains unclear, but they’re estimating around six weeks. So, he would also need a couple of games to get back into it.

“Zac Lomax should only require one game to get ready, but the others need two to three.”

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While there’s hope that both Lomax and To’o will be fit for Origin, it has raised questions about potential replacements for the wing positions.

Experienced and reliable choices like Josh Addo-Carr and Daniel Tupou, who have both excelled at representative level and continue to perform well, could fill the gaps comfortably.

However, according to Johns, one player he “wouldn’t hesitate” to include is Dolphins speedster Jack Bostock, who claimed the Dally M Rookie of the Year title in 2024.

“He’s confident coming out of defence, which is essential for Origin,” Johns noted. “Bostock’s a big guy, strong in the air, and an excellent finisher. He just looks like he belongs on the rep stage, and specifically, in Origin.”

“There’s been mention of Jacob Kiraz, but if I had to compare Bostock and Kiraz side by side, I believe Bostock has the edge. He tips the scales at over 100kg and has exceptional athleticism… he’s a remarkable talent.”

“He might be a couple of years away from being fully ready, but I wouldn’t think twice about including him.”

Bostock has already notched up 17 tries in 30 first-grade appearances and has proven to be an effective ball runner, while also posing a significant threat near the try line.

The 21-year-old joined Redcliffe for the club’s inaugural season after developing his skills within the St George Illawarra Dragons system.