With just days until Brad Fittler names his Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues team for Origin I, one selection has now been confirmed: incumbent captain Boyd Cordner.

The Roosters captain had come under fire in recent weeks, with former NSW coach and Penrith General Manager Phil Gould going as far as to leave him out of his hypothetical team for the series opener. Speaking on Channel Nine’s NRL Footy Show, however, Fittler put an end to the speculation surrounding the nine-time NSW representative.

“Yeah, Boyd will be in the team,” Fittler declared. “If I were to pick anyone at the moment, barring injury, it would be Boyd Cordner.

“Obviously ‘Gus’ (Gould) and I have got a great relationship and we try and get the players to be at their best, so if he thinks Boyd must lift another gear then he’s basically giving Boyd a prod.”

While Fittler has previously stated an ambition to start his coaching tenure with a relatively clean slate, he has opted for the continuity of the Roosters second-rower, who is also the incumbent Australian Kangaroos’ vice-captain.

Cordner will line up for the Roosters in their Round 12 clash with the Titans from 3pm on Saturday - his last match before Origin I on 6 June.