Strange new era begins with fresh faces for NSW Origin

Incoming Sky Blues coach John Strange has named his line-up for the opening State of Origin game. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

Surprise halves combination Jesse Southwell and Tiana Penitani Gray headline a host of inclusions as NSW's Sky Blues plot to reclaim the State of Origin shield starting with the series opener.

New Sky Blues coach John Strange on Wednesday picked eight fresh faces from outside the squad that lost the series to Queensland last year, including four that will make their debut.