Confusion erupts after banned player added to NSW squad for State of Origin 1
NRL fans are calling for an explanation from Laurie Daley after Adam Doueihi and Jacob Preston were spotted arriving in NSW State of Origin camp on Tuesday evening. Daley announced a 20-player squad when his team for Game 1 was unveiled on Sunday night, and on Tuesday two more players were added.
Doueihi and Preston were spotted checking into the team hotel in Leura in the Blue Mountains, about 100km west of Sydney. Bulldogs back-rower Preston had seemingly been on the cusp of selection for NSW after a sensational start to the season.
But his hopes were ruined by a four-match suspension he received for a crusher tackle in Round 9. Due the Bulldogs having a bye in Round 13, Preston won't even be back before the team for Game 2 is announced.
That means any hope he has of making his Origin debut will have to wait until Game 3. Considering he was so close to selection, it's understandable Daley would bring him into NSW camp to get a taste of the Origin environment. It was a similar situation to last year when Joseph Sua'ali'i was brought into camp for Game 2 despite being suspended.
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But fans were left highly confused by Doueihi's addition, considering he was nowhere near Origin selection. Doueihi hasn't exactly set the world on fire in 2025 while playing in the centres for the Wests Tigers.
His addition to the Blues squad might simply be down to the fact he can play a variety of positions during opposed sessions. A number of NRL teams have the bye this weekend, meaning players might be using the break to get away from Sydney and not available to join Blues camp.
Why is Adam Doueihi in Origin camp 😭😂😭😂
— The SuperCoach Whisperer (@SCWhisperer) May 20, 2025
Adam Doueihi being in the top 22 players in NSW is wilder https://t.co/JW8Dx5ywms
— TigerCast (@CastTiger) May 20, 2025
Is there another Adam Doueihi that I'm forgetting about?
— Jed (@JedRose17) May 20, 2025
Makes sense….
— Chris (@chris65441880) May 20, 2025
The fact Doueihi was included over Tigers teammates Terrell May, Jarome Luai and Api Koroisau hasn't gone down well. Luai was axed from last year's winning team, with Daley opting for Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses in the halves instead.
Many felt Koroisau's form warranted inclusion, but Reece Robson retained his spot as the starting hooker. And May was a hugely controversial omission after a superb start to the year. Daley picked Max King on the bench and Stefano Utoikamanu in the reserves instead, sparking anger from fans.
It came after May made controversial comments on social media that he "might switch allegiances" to Queensland when he knew he wasn't going to be picked. Blues legend Brad Fittler labelled the comment "pathetic", and May issued an apology on Tuesday.
"When all those reports came out, there were so many comments saying 'I can't believe you didn't make it' ... I got a bit frustrated," he admitted. "I never should have said that. That's on me. Obviously I was joking, but no one really knows me personally, so I shouldn't assume people are gonna know me.
"I wish I could take that back, but I can't. At the end of the day, that's on me. Now I gotta live with it. I'm just gonna keep grinding to earn their trust."
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