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After taking Game 1 in the State of Origin series, Queensland return to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane for Game 2, and in a surprise to no one, there are no unforced changes to the successful team.
State of Origin Game 2 teams
» QLD: Myles out, Lillyman in
» NSW: Graham in, but faces ban
» Roar’s Reaction: Blues
Nate Myles hasn’t been named in the squad after suffering a knee injury in the Manly Sea Eagles loss to the Penrith Panthers on Sunday afternoon. He has been replaced by Jacob Lillyman, and it is expected to be a direct swap.
It was a physical match in Sydney, and the Maroons old guard stood up strongly. Their creative players should have a lot more freedom to play in what is typically a faster, higher-scoring game at Suncorp.
Here is how the Maroons will line up for Game 2.
1. Darius Boyd (Brisbane Broncos)
After much deliberation, it was decided that Boyd would assume the fullback mantle from the injured Billy Slater for Game 1 ahead of Greg Inglis, and he didn’t disappoint. Boyd was close to if not the best player on the ground with brilliant runs from the back, a good creative game and next to no faults defensively.
In a game where it was dominated up and down the middle with strong defence, Boyd was a shining light and it should be assumed he will be able to have more impact here as the game opens up.
2. Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos)
Had very little impact on his Origin debut outside Greg Inglis. The left hand side attack for the Maroons was almost entirely ignored during the first half, and the ball very rarely found it’s way to Oates in the second.
He was strong running the ball back from kicks though, as he always is and there is no argument available to justify Oates not being selected – certainly will be a prominent member of the Queensland backline for years to come.
3. Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
There is never any question about Inglis being selected for Origin – he always seems to show up with a massive performance throughout the series. Of course, the question of centre or fullback was raised this year, but Inglis stuck to centre, with Boyd at the back.
While he hardly touched the ball in the first half, he got a few opportunities in the second and looked threatening nearly ever time he got his hands on the steeden.
4. Justin O’Neill (North Queensland Cowboys)
O’Neill made a solid debut in the Origin arena, having a hand in the Maroons only try that would win them the match and being fairly solid in defence. Of course, with no Justin Hodges and Billy Slater he was always the front runner to get a spot in the backline and there are no reasonable arguments as to why he shouldn’t keep his spot.
Couple that with good form in club land a strong running game, he could be in for a big one at Suncorp with more points on the cards.
5. Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)
Gagai, like O’Neill was strong in the first game of the series, both in attack and defence, being on the end of something that came from nothing to score the Maroons only try.
He and O’Neill will need to make sure their defensive combination is flowing for Game 2 though, with what is likely to be a desperate Blues side constantly attacking down their side of the park, due to the inexperience of the combination and that Gagai is generally a fullback. Besides, who would attack down the Inglis and Oates side of the field?
6. Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
Do I really need to write anything here? Best player in the game, and his game management in Sydney was fantastic despite being in defence for much of the second half.
7. Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
Like Thurston, an automatic selection for the Maroons. His form has been on a gradual rise after a slow start to the season, and he always seems to stand up around Origin time.
He had a massive performance for the Storm against the Sydney Roosters on the weekend and with his all-conquering kicking game on the back of a dominant forward pack, it’s hard to see him not playing a big game.
8. Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys)
Quite possibly the best front rower in the NRL and will once again line up for the Queensland. His ability not only to run the Blues pack into the ground early in the game, but also become a ball player and combine with Johnathan Thurston gives the Queenslanders a massive spark, and the Blues have to get on top of him, as they did in 2014 when they won the series.
9. Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
The captain of Australia, the captain of the Maroons and apparently he can kick goals from the sideline while slipping over in the process. He was strong in Game 1, making a massive amount of tackles and led Queensland around the park well.
No questions over his selection.
10. Josh McGuire (Brisbane Broncos)
Still has plenty to prove in the Origin arena does the Broncos front row, but he is versatile, strong and very good in defence. His job will be to ensure the smooth running of the Maroons dominant front row.
11. Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos)
Had the best game of his Origin career so far in Sydney, running the ball with intensity, always looking for the offload or creative player and muscled up really well in defence. Will be interesting to see if he can back it up at Suncorp.
12. Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
It has been said since Game 1 finished that Thaiday played more minutes than he was supposed to after Michael Morgan got taken off after just a few minutes on the park with concussion – but slammin’ Sam as they call him is a trooper for the Maroons and gives 110 per cent in every game he plays.
The Maroons would be a lot worse off without him there.
13. Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos)
The Broncos offloading machine lines up for yet another Origin game in Maroon, and at home on a dry Suncorp Stadium track he could become deadly, as he proved on more than one occasion in last year’s Origin series.
If the Blues can’t control his offloading game then the scoreline and flow of the game could get out of hand very quickly.
14. Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys)
Got carried off with concussion after just a few minutes on the field in Game 1, but given what he consistenly produces for the Cowboys, and in last year’s series as a bench utility – and the fact that he is the future replacement for either Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston – there is simply no way he was ever not going to play.
When he comes on, it doesn’t matter what position it is he will do a job, run the ball hard and prove as a dangerous extra playmaker.
15. Jacob Lillyman* (New Zealand Warriors)
Jacob Lillyman comes straight onto the bench for Nate Myles who was injured on Sunday Afternoon against the Panthers. Lillyman was 18th man for Game 1 and could have been considered as unlucky not to make the 17 after being a permanent fixture in the side last year.
He will be keen to make his opportunity count.
16. Aiden Guerra (Sydney Roosters)
His form was questionable leading up to Game 1 of the Origin series, and there was plenty of talk he wouldn’t make the final cut when it came to team selection, but he did and proved to be the consistent performer he is known as. Ran the ball hard, tackled well and was dangerous on the edge.
Will need a big performance this time around though.
17. Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)
Has been in damaging form for the Raiders all season and thoroughly deserves his selection. Didn’t get a lot of time or chance to prove himself in Game 1, but made the most of every minute he spent on the field and is a constant threat for the Blues defence.
Queensland Maroons team for State of Origin Game 2:
1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Justin O’Neill, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Johnathan Thurston, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Matt Scott, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Jacob Lillyman*, 11. Matt Gillett, 12. Sam Thaiday, 13. Corey Parker
Interchange: 14. Michael Morgan, 15. Josh McGuire, 16. Aidan Guerra, 17. Josh Papalii
* – It is not confirmed that Jacob Lillyman will in fact start the game. He may be replaced by one of the interchange players.
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