Canberra Raiders trio Joey Leilua, Junior Paulo and Shannon Boyd are a step closer to leading the NSW State of Origin revival after being including in an emerging Blues squad.
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NSW coach Laurie Daley named a 13-man group to join the emerging Blues at a camp in January as he prepares to usher in a new generation.
Boyd made his international debut for the Australian Kangaroos in their end-of-year Tests and it has put the giant front-rower on the NSW radar.
The pig-hunting prop from Cowra could form a Green Machine one-two punch with Paulo, who will fight Paul Gallen in a boxing bout on Friday night, if they get their Origin chance next year.
Leilua was one of the form centres of the NRL season and part of a devastating combination with winger Jordan Rapana.
But Leilua was overlooked for Kangaroos duties after injuring his hamstring in the Raiders' preliminary final loss to the Melbourne Storm in September.
"The emerging blues squad is an exciting group full of talented players," Daley said.
"Each of the players has a realistic chance of making the Origin team for 2017 and we look forward to working with them and learning more about them during our camp in January."
Emerging Blues: Shannon Boyd (Canberra Raiders), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers), Bryce Cartwright (Penrith Panthers), Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans), Joey Leilua (Canberra Raiders), Jordan McLean (Melbourne Storm), Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters), Junior Paulo (Canberra Raiders), Nathan Peats (Gold Coast Titans), James Roberts (Brisbane Broncos), Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
