Saifiti eager to lead inexperienced Blues engine room

NSW prop Daniel Saifiti believes an increase in ruck speed will make up for the experience lost upfront as NSW prepares to field one of its youngest crops of forwards in State of Origin history.

NRL.com reports Saifiti is one of four specialised front-rowers in Brad Fittler's 27-man squad after the Blues coach overlooked experienced men David Klemmer and Paul Vaughan, who had been mainstays in his recent campaigns, for this year's series.

Saifiti and Payne Haas join debutant Junior Paulo as the most inexperienced front-row combination the Blues have fielded since Origin III in 2010.

He is former Fiji Bati rep who plays for the Newcastle Knights with his twin brother Jacob.

Game one between the Maroons and the Blues will be at 9.10pm tomorrow

[Source: NRL.com]