NSW Origin Poll: Ford fans' clear first choice front rower

The votes are in, the fans have had their say and James Tedesco will wear the NSW No.1 jumper according to the NRL.com State of Origin poll.

Tedesco and incumbent Dylan Edwards are in a gripping battle for the starting role, with both men in career-best form and playing a key role in their respective club’s impressive starts to the year.

While debate has swirled around which way NSW coach Laurie Daley should go, 52% of fans voted for Tedesco. Edwards was second with 38%, while Kaeo Weekes was third.

The fullback result was one of multiple intriguing outcomes to the NRL.com fan poll, with Reece Robson and Blayke Brailey each receiving 35% of the vote in the race for the starting hooker position.

Incumbent Robson narrowly edged the Sharks No.9 by just a handful of votes in a sign of how tough the decision will be for the Blues coaching staff. 

In other results of the poll:

• 60% of fans backed Mitchell Moses to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves. Jarome Luai was second, with Ethan Strange third.
• Brian To’o is the standout contender on the wing, with 59% of the vote, while the fans selected Josh Addo-Carr for the other spot. The Eel edged To’o’s Panthers teammate Tom Jenkins by just 1%.
• Latrell Mitchell has been backed to start in the centres despite battling a back injury. Stephen Crichton was favoured to join him in the team.
• Breakout star Jackson Ford has been voted for a NSW debut, with Sharks enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake also in line for a rookie Origin campaign.
• Haumole Olakau'atu and Hudson Young are the standout second rowers, while Angus Crichton was not far behind
• NSW skipper Isaah Yeo has been heavily backed to retain the No.13 jumper with more than 50% of the vote.
• Versatile Bulldog Matt Burton has been voted in for a spot on the six-man bench as the back utility due to his ability to play in the halves and centres.
• Cam Murray is on track to return to the Origin arena, with the fans picking him on the bench due to his versatility as an edge and middle forward.

Check out the full results below as the excitement builds for Game One of the State of Origin series at Accor Stadium on Wednesday May 27.