Tim Grant will play Origin football for the first time after he was picked for the Blues in a selection bombshell this afternoon.
Grant joins Michael Jennings and Luke Lewis as Penrith representatives in the side for Origin II in Sydney on June 13.
The 24-year-old has been named to start the game at prop.
“He’d be a very excited boy right at this moment,” Blues coach Ricky Stuart said.
“He’s a big lump of a kid and I think he’ll do himself and his club very proud in regards to his first Origin game.”
Grant has been in damaging form since returning from a calf injury and was selected on the back of strong performances against the Cowboys and Sea Eagles in recent weeks.
Jennings will play at centre for the Blues while Luke Lewis goes back to the bench.
Full NSW team: Brett Stewart, Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, Akilua Uate, Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce, Tim Grant, Robbie Farah, James Tamou, Glenn Stewart, Greg Bird, Paul Gallen. Bench: Trent Merrin, Luke Lewis, Ben Creagh, Anthony Watmough.
