Tyran Wishart Positions Himself as Early Front-Runner for Blues Selection Following Pre-Season Camp Performance

Melbourne Storm’s Tyran Wishart has emerged as a surprising contender for a debut in the State of Origin after being spotted at a pre-season meeting with the Blues in Sydney.

As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, Wishart was seen alongside notable Blues players, such as Nathan Cleary, Mitchell Moses, the Trbojevic brothers, and Jarome Luai, during a gathering with new head coach Laurie Daley on Saturday.

After showcasing remarkable versatility by playing various positions for the Storm in 2024, Wishart is expected to contend with Connor Watson for the No. 14 jersey in the first game set to take place in Brisbane.

Daley, who played alongside Tyran’s father, Rod, in Origin, remarked that the 25-year-old “earns” his place at the meeting.

“I was impressed with his performances last year; he’s incredibly versatile and has rightfully earned his spot here due to his contributions,” Daley stated.

During the 2024 season, Wishart crossed for 12 tries. He took on various roles when not playing off the bench, starting games in the halves and hooker, as well as spending time on the wing.

Jake Trbojevic was the only player in attendance who had previously played under Daley during his last tenure as the Blues’ coach in 2017.

Daley noted that the meeting provided a unique chance for him to connect with the players personally, while also outlining his expectations.

“Until now, I had only exchanged greetings with most of the boys, so this was a great opportunity to share a bit about my journey and my background and discuss my expectations with them,” he shared.

“I wanted to address what improvements can be made from last year and how we aim to elevate our game. It was about re-establishing our group cohesion.”

Game one of the Origin series will take place at Suncorp Stadium on May 28, followed by a return to Perth for game two on June 18, and then the third game in Sydney on July 9.