The brutal way James Maloney found out he wouldn't be picked for Origin

James Maloney has revealed how NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler told him he wouldn’t be playing Game One of State of Origin in 2019.

Panthers five-eighth Maloney played a vital role in NSW winning Origin in 2018, but was not selected for Game One in 2019 after an indifferent start to the season.

Maloney revealed he was training for his club side when he noticed a missed call from Fittler.

“We were training and I got a missed call from Freddy and he texted me saying we are going to go with Cody,” Maloney told League Life.

“[He] said thanks so much for last year and I will always be grateful for that.”

Maloney went on to say he held no hard feelings and was still willing to put his hand up for re-selection if it came around.

“I just texted back saying not a problem I completely understand and I will be at home cheering you on and there was no hard feelings,” he added.

“He gave me an opportunity to win a series and I am grateful for that.”

There have been calls after Maloney’s man-of-the-match performance against the Roosters last weekend for the five-eight to be reinstated.

“I never doubted I could do the job,” Maloney said if he was to get selected for Game Two.