NSW have called Josh Jackson and Will Hopoate into their squad for Wednesday's opening State of Origin match.
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The Canterbury back-rower will join the squad as 18th man with Hopoate the 19th man. Jackson played in Canterbury's 28-12 loss to the Sydney Roosters on Friday.
Both players will travel to Coffs Harbour on Saturday and will fly with the rest of the squad to Brisbane on Sunday
“We wanted to bring in a forward and a back to cover all bases,” Blues coach Laurie Daley said. “Both players have been in terrific form for their clubs and deserve the opportunity to spend some time in camp.”
Hopoate's call-up to the Blues squad caps a remarkable comeback for the Parramatta centre, who returned to rugby league this year after two seasons out of the game while undertaking a Mormon mission. He played his only match for NSW, starring in the centres in 2011, before leaving the game at the end of that season.
“Both players have been in terrific form for their clubs and deserve the opportunity to spend some time in camp.”
“We wanted to bring in a forward and a back to cover all bases,” VB Blues coach Laurie Daley said.
