Benny Elias has named his ideal 17-man New South Wales team for State of Origin Game 1 - and there's one glaring omission.
Blues icon Elias has elected to bench star fullback James Tedesco, instead selecting in-form flyer Tom Trbojevic to wear the No.1 jumper.
Manly fullback Trbojevic has been in scintillating form this season, single-handedly guiding the struggling Sea Eagles to sixth on the NRL ladder.
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His performances have left everyone impressed, including the legendary Elias who wants to see him rewarded with that coveted No.1 jersey for New South Wales.
"All you've got to do is see his last half a dozen games," Elias told Fox Sports Australia.
"(He is) the in-form player... I love Teddy, love him. But you go for the best player.
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"I would give (Trbojevic) the same reins as he has at Manly, for NSW. He is No.1, and he is probably my best player because he's bumping out the best other three players in the game - Teddy, (Ryan Papenhuyzen), and (Clint Gutherson).
"You've got four No.1s and you can't have four of them in the 13.
"Give (Trbojevic) the roaming ability to do whatever he wants. I've never seen anyone so dominant as this bloke who has just come back (from an injury)."
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Tedesco hasn't been axed altogether, he's still named on Elias' bench alongside other big-name stars such as Dally M medallist Jack Wighton.
Elias has decided against starting Wighton, instead opting for a halves pairing of Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary with fellow Penrith Panthers players Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton taking up the centres positions.
"I'm going for points, defence will look after itself," Elias added.
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"I'm going for points, I'm going for people in their specialised positions. That's very important.
"At this level if you don't pick players in their specialised positions you're going to be in trouble."
Check out Benny Elias' full NSW Blues team below...
1. Tom Trbojevic
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2. Daniel Tupou
3. Stephen Crichton
4. Matt Burton
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary (c)
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Damien Cook
10. Payne Haas
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. James Tedesco
15. Junior Paulo
16. Cameron Murray
17. Jack Wighton
Featured Image Credit: PA