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The Queensland Maroons might have just taken Game 1 of the 2015 State of Origin series, but with their star halfback missing, it will make things difficult as they announce their full team for Game 2 today.
After Cooper Cronk showed why he is the best in the business in Game 1, it came as a brutal blow for Queensland supporters that he would be missing for Game 2 due to a knee injury picked up in a game for the Storm.
» Full State of Origin teams
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» NSW Blues team for Game 1 – expert reaction
Queensland were not the same side when Daly Cherry-Evans led them around the park for the first and second matches of the 2014 series, and the Maroons will be hoping that he can put in a big display as he attempts to win back Queensland fans.
That’s the big news for the Maroons squad, which remains unscathed apart from the Cronk out.
Here’s Queensland’s full team for Game 2 of the 2015 State of Origin series:
1. Billy Slater
Maintains his position at fullback after a relatively strong showing in Game 1 of the series. Slater was safe as houses at the back of the field for Queensland, and showed that his speed hasn’t deserted him as he hared after kicks put in by the masterful Cronk.
He will be poorer for Cronk’s absence, and will be looking for Thurston and Cherry-Evans to provide him with a similar platform to work from.
2. Darius Boyd
Looked a little off the pace early in Origin 1, but warmed into the game by the second half. He has been slowly recovering the silky passing and dash of speed week by week for the Broncos, so look to him to have a greatly improved performance in Game 2.
3. Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis was poor in State of Origin Game 1.
That’s rarely been said in the past, but was certainly the case a couple of Wednesdays ago, with the big centre well-contained by Josh Morris and looking hampered by injury.
Can lightening strike twice? Even if it does, Inglis still has his jersey secured for the next three years, and remains Queensland’s most potent attacking weapon.
4. Justin Hodges
There were plenty of concerns around Hodges’ form heading into Game 1, but the old veteran proved that lack of matches and reduced speed means little in the Origin arena.
He put a brute of a hit on Robbie Farah (which many thought was lucky to go unpunished) which nullified the NSW skipper’s effectiveness in the contest, and made plenty of metres with his trademark running out of dummy half.
Between the guy’s niggle, tough D and surprising pace, he’s one of Queensland’s great assets.
5. Will Chambers
A mighty performance in Game 1 backed up Chambers’ strong form in the club arena.
He powered at NSW defenders in a way reminiscent of Karmichael Hunt hurtling at the line from fullback. Full speed ahead. No backing down.
If he can give more of the same he’ll sew up that spot on the right hand side very soon.
6. Johnathan Thurston
A relatively quiet Origin 1 from JT should be setting off alarm bells for NSW supporters.
With Cronk out, Thurston will have to step up. He might have been struggling with that earlier in the year, but ten on the trot for the Cowboys has shown that the best in the game is at the peak of his powers.
If it’s an open match, Thurston will prosper.
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
It’s time for Cherry-Evans to go from zero to hero in the eyes of Queenslanders.
The taste left in Queenslanders’ mouths clearly wasn’t that palatable after Cherry-Evans decided the Titans weren’t for him last week. He was booed roundly when he got the ball, but still managed to show he was in form by setting up a spectacular try.
For Cherry-Evans, this will be about proving himself in the Origin arena, after he was unable to lead Queensland to a series victory in last year’s hard-fought series. He will want to show that missing Cronk isn’t the downfall of the Maroons.
Thankfully for him, the game is in Melbourne, otherwise things might have been interesting with the crowd.
8. Matt Scott
The Cowboys enforcer returns after a titanic effort in Game 1 of the series.
He was in everything for the Maroons, taking countless hitups and making a bundle of tackles. Just for good measure, he went out and scored twice for the Cowboys in the weekend to follow. He will be keen to lay it on the Blues again.
9. Cameron Smith (c)
Where NSW failed, Queensland succeeded in Origin 1.
Smith found the right man in Cronk when the game was on the line. NSW found the wrong man in Dugan. A lot of this comes down to the way Cameron Smith organises his side.
He is the captain, the leaded and the conductor on the paddock. Expect more of the same, plus plenty of work in defence, from Smith in Game 2.
10. Nate Myles
An uncharacteristic error was a rare blot on Myles’ game in Origin 1. It led to a try for the Blues, and would be one of the very few times Myles has stuffed up on the rep stage.
He will do his best to set a platform against a good Blues pack led by a returning Paul Gallen.
11. Aidan Guerra
Not the biggest bloke on the paddock, but watching him play gives you the feeling he’s one of the smartest.
He runs great lines at speed, and always makes surprising metres. Add to that his decision-making on his edge in defence and you have Queensland’s answer to Beau Scott (minus the bruising hits). A very honest player who gives Queensland a lot of value.
12. Sam Thaiday
A slow start to the year had many questioning Thaiday’s place at the Broncos, but big Sam has bounced back.
His footwork close to the line is as good as it’s ever been, and he looks dangerous running both on the edge and in tight.
13. Corey Parker
Could offload a footy if you wrapped him from head to toe in Glad Wrap.
The bloke is a freak, and will make plenty of middle tackles while offering metres and second-phase options in attack. Just adds to the list of Queensland’s ‘no-brainer’ selections.
Interchange:
14. Michael Morgan
Had limited opportunities in Game 1, but looked zippy and dangerous looming up on the inside of his halves late in the first stanza.
Possesses great speed, and if the game flows will be an ace in Queensland’s hole.
15. Josh McGuire
A man whose stature seems to grow with every match he plays. He has been a colossus at club level, and offers real speed for a front rower off the bench for the Maroons. Think Andrew Fifita, but fast and half the size. So not like Andrew Fifita at all.
Will be a handful, whatever the case.
16. Matt Gillett
It’s been a quiet season so far for the Broncos’ backrower. He hasn’t scored a try in ten matches, and will be hungry for the line in this one.
Gillett still does plenty of work in defence, but he offers more as a dangerous edge-running forward. Meninga will be hoping for lots of that late in both halves.
17. Jacob Lillyman
A great toiler, and that is meant as no disrespect to Lillyman.
Built like a cannonball with reliable hands, Lillyman is Queensland’s answer to Paul Gallen. Will be asked to do plenty of work alongside Josh McGuire in the middle periods of both halves. Look for Lillyman taking two hitups a set when he first gets on the field.
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