Brian To'o of the Blues celebrates scoring a try. Photo: Darren England/Photosport
State of Origin Game II
Queensland v New South Wales
Kick-off: 10:05pm Wednesday 18 June
Optus Stadium, Perth
Live blog updates on RNZ
The Blues are one game up in this year's State of Origin series, after an 18-6 victory at Suncorp Stadium three weeks ago. They stand on the cusp of retaining the Origin Shield with a win in Perth, however the Maroons have rolled the changes in the hope of squaring the series.
Team lists
Maroons: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Xavier Coates, 3. Robert Toia, 4. Valentine Holmes, 5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 11. Reuben Cotter, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Trent Loiero
Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Jeremiah Nanai, 17. Patrick Carrigan
Reserves: 18. Ezra Mam, 19. Jack Howarth, 20. Corey Horsburgh
Blues: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Brian To'o, 3. Stephen Crichton, 4. Latrell Mitchell, 5. Zac Lomax, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Max King, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Liam Martin, 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Isaah Yeo, 14. Connor Watson, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Hudson Young, 17. Stefano Utoikamanu
Reserves: 18. Matt Burton, 19. Keaon Koloamatangi, 20. Lindsay Smith
Queensland selections
Kurt Capewell of the Maroons. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
The big news over the last fortnight was the dropping of Daly Cherry-Evans, the longtime Queensland half sensationally replaced by Tom Dearden. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Valentine Holmes have switched positions between the centres and wing, while there's a recall for Warriors second rower Kurt Capewell. He goes straight into the starting side, Jeremiah Nanai and Patrick Carrigan move back to the interchange, with Beau Fermor dropped from the squad.
New South Wales selections
Max King of the Blues. Photo: Dave Hunt/ Photosport
It's a reunion for Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai, with former Panthers half Luai now at the Tigers but back in the NSW side due to an injury to Mitchell Moses. That's the only change to the backs, but Max King comes in at prop after a season ending injury to Mitch Barnett. In turn that forces a reshuffle on the interchange, with Stefano Utoikamanu set to debut.
Key stats
NSW dominated every category in game one, enjoying a better possession, completion rate and error count.
QLD's Patrick Carrigan topped the tackle count in game one, with 53. NSW wing Brian To'o had the most run metres with 225.
NSW are aiming for back to back series wins for the first time since 2018-19.
What they're saying
"It's a funny game, rugby league. With the group of guys that you've got, you've got to make sure they're prepared really well. We've had challenges and setbacks throughout the campaign so far, I'd be disappointed if we'd lost a guy and couldn't cope with that. I think the guys are very professional." - NSW coach Laurie Daley.
"What we've created over the last few years, there's a lot of respect and trust there. It's up to us now to really perform…you can do so much on the training paddock but at the end of the day it's about paying that back." - QLD captain Harry Grant.
What's going to happen
This game is on neutral ground over in Perth, which would probably swing things in NSW's favour. QLD do have to overcome the intense scrutiny on their halves situation, which is a gamble that also now has to contend with an established and very successful pairing of Cleary and Luai opposite them. However, it's not uncharted territory for QLD, they have come back from disappointment before and simply need to control the territorial battle to have a better chance in this one.
