You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
Dane Gagai Competition - NRL Premiership Round - Round 03 Teams - Newcastle Knights V Canberra Raiders - 19th of March 2016 Venue - Hunter Stadium, Broadmeadow, Newcastle NSW Photographer - Paul Barkley

Newcastle Knight Dane Gagai has been named on the wing in the Queensland Maroons team for State of Origin game one. 

Newcastle Knights head coach Nathan Brown was pleased with Gagai’s selection and sees his representative jumper as reward for good form at club level. 

“He’s playing a bit of a different position to what he’s more accustomed to over the previous few years,” he said. 

“He’s definitely been one of our more consistent players and one of our better competitors without a doubt." 

Gagai made his Origin debut last year scoring a try in game three of the series. 

“One thing Queensland has done over the years is they have been pretty loyal,” Brown added. 

“He went in last year in the deciding game and did really well.

“I’m happy they stuck by him and I’m sure he’ll make good account of himself.

“He’s a gifted attacking player who can create opportunities from limited room.

“He has been very safe under the high balls and his kick returns have been brilliant. 

“I think one of greatest attributes is he is a good competitor and I think that is a prerequisite for any Origin player.”

MAROONS 

1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Justin O’Neill, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Johnathan Thurston, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Matt Scott, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nate Myles, 11. Aidan Guerra, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Corey Parker, 14. Michael Morgan, 15. Sam Thaiday, 16. Josh Papalii, 17. Josh McGuire.

BLUES

1. Matt Moylan, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Michael Jennings, 5. Josh Mansour, 6. James Maloney, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Paul Gallen, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Josh Jackson, 13. Greg Bird, 14. Dylan Walker, 15. James Tamou, 16. Andrew Fifita, 17. David Klemmer, 18. Tyson Frizell, 19. Josh Morris.