Terrell May has been left out of the NSW Blues' squad for the State of Origin opener.
The Wests Tigers star has been a revelation since switching from the Sydney Roosters, but won't make his Origin debut in Game I.
NSW coach Laurie Daley has selected Payne Haas and Mitchell Barnett as his starting props, with Spencer Leniu and Max King making the bench.
Stefano Utoikamanu was also preferred as a front-rower in the reserve spots.
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Leading the Blues for the first time since 2017, Daley believes the props he has picked are simply "playing better" than May.
The 26-year-old notably sits second in the Dally M Medal standings after 10 rounds of voting.
"I just think the [other props] are playing better than Terrell," Daley said in a press conference on Monday.
"All the things that I'm looking for from a player ... I think Max King is playing outstanding.
"Terrell is playing great, but just obviously needs to keep knocking on the door.
"I'm sure his time will come at some stage.
"I think that there are a lot of players [who] are unlucky."
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May addressed his Origin snub – which was unconfirmed at the time – on a Twitch stream last week.
"You know that Blues jersey I bought you? Chuck it in the bin," he said.
Daley said he had no issue with those comments.
He also confirmed that he has not spoken to the Tigers enforcer about his non-selection, and does not plan to.