THE 2017 State of Origin opener is four weeks away, and it’s the time of year every man and his dog puts two cents forward in an effort to help the state selectors.

But there’s some who may be a little more qualified than most to lend a hand.

Mark Gasnier played a dozen Origins for NSW and wore the green and gold of Australia 15 times during a long and eventful career.

He sat down with foxsports.com.au to offer his Blues team ahead of Origin I.

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In the lead-up to May 31, foxsports.com.au will run a weekly series of former Origin greats’ preferred teams and expert analysis!

BACKS

Fullback: James Tedesco

Wings: Jarryd Hayne, Josh Dugan

Centres: Jack Bird, Jarrod Croker

James Tedesco on his State of Origin debut last year. Source: News Corp Australia

Gaz’s backline comment: It was hard to leave Joey Leilua out as he is an excitement machine but the left edge has so much creativity as it is with James Maloney, Wade Graham, Hayne and Tedesco on set plays.

Therefore I have gone with reliability and honesty, particularly in defence, in the left centre position and Croker epitomises that.

I would give Jarryd Hayne a licence to roam, particularly when NSW get a set piece from the left-hand side and through the middle late in the halves.

Josh Dugan just edges out young Tom Trbojevic on the right wing because of the starts to the sets he provides, and defensive reads on the big stage.

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HALVES

Five-eighth: James Maloney

Halfback: Mitchell Pearce

Gaz’s halves comment: Skill, patience, execution, good defensively, tough, smart, and a great kicking game, this combination has it all.

On top of this they know each other’s games back to front.

I like the fact Maloney has Wade Graham next to him as a left-foot kicking option off a two-pass play or down a short side as it would be a lot harder for Queensland to apply kick pressure.

FORWARDS

Hooker: Nathan Peats

Props: Andrew Fifita, Jake Trbojevic

Backrowers: Wade Graham, Boyd Cordner

Lock: Dale Finucane

Tyson Frizell of the Blues. Source: News Corp Australia

Gaz’s forwards comment: In substitution for go-forward with the starting pack I have picked a very good defensive team with great tackle technique in Jake Trbojevic and Dale Finucane. This pack will dominate in the ruck area, have amazing work ethic and are as honest as they come.

The outside backs pick up the slack in regard to the go-forward with Tedesco, Hayne, Bird, and Dugan some of the best people to start your sets in the competition.

Dale Finucane may come as a surprise to some but if it wasn’t for the freak year Taumalolo had in 2016 I had Dale as my Dally M lock of the year.

Honest, tough, reliable and underrated with his smarts of the game and skill.

I see Josh Jackson as a right backrower but I couldn’t pick him in front of Cordner even though I love him as a player. I would play Cordner on the right edge as he is as equally effective there and has a great combination with Pearce.

BENCH

Jordan McLean, David Klemmer, Tyson Frizell, Luke Keary

Gaz’s bench comment: I have chosen a bench that I believe will change the game, headed by Keary coming on at hooker.

I must admit when I first called Luke Keary running around for Norths in reserve grade I thought he had all the makings of a great hooker.

I would only use Luke for the last 15 minutes of each half and this wouldn’t limit the interchange because I have two 80-minute backrowers, as well as Jake Trbojevic, Dale Finucane, and Tyson Frizell that can all play big minutes.

Luke Keary and Mitchell Pearce of the Roosters. Source: News Corp Australia

Keary’s selection would obviously be based on his willingness to buy into that role.

The other three on the bench all provide amazing go-forward, great impact and second phase play, and all defend pretty well around the ruck under fatigue.

Overall I believe my side has the perfect mix of youth and experience.

Mark Gasnier’s NSW team

1 James Tedesco

2 Jarryd Hayne

3 Jack Bird

4 Jarrod Croker

5 Josh Dugan

6 James Maloney

7 Mitchell Pearce

8 Andrew Fifita

9 Nathan Peats

10 Jake Trbojevic

11 Wade Graham

12 Boyd Cordner

13 Dale Finucane

14 Jordan McLean

15 David Klemmer

16 Tyson Frizell

17 Luke Keary