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With New South Wales and Queensland naming their teams for State of Origin Game 2 tonight, it is time to look at what changes will likely be made by both camps.
Laurie Daley will be forced to name a backrower to replace the injured Boyd Cordner, while Josh Dugan could make a return in the centres.
State of Origin Game 2 teams
» QLD: Myles out, Lillyman in
» Roar’s Reaction: Maroons
» NSW: Graham in, but faces ban
» Roar’s Reaction: Blues
Kevin Walters meanwhile is likely to name an unchanged side as the Maroons aim to clinch yet another State of Origin series.
Fullback: Matt Moylan
Moylan had a good game yesterday against the Manly Sea Eagles always proving a threat in attack despite a couple of minor hiccups in the first half.
He made a couple of bad decisions in game one however, Daley views the Penrith skipper as a long-term player meaning he will retain his spot in the 17 despite some strong performances from James Tedesco.
Wing: Blake Ferguson and Josh Mansour
Blake Ferguson was one of New South Wales’ best in Game 1 and will retain his spot alongside Mansour who was also strong.
The pair have proven themselves as the best options in the long-run for New South Wales and will run out in Brisbane.
Centre: Michael Jennings and Josh Morris
Laurie Daley is likely to stick with his centre pairing however, if Josh Dugan passes the medical test, the coach will be left with a tough decision over who should make up the backline.
Josh Morris will almost certainly be the victim if Dugan is able to play. Expect Dugan to be named as 18th man with Daley to give the Dragons star every chance at playing.
Five-Eighth: James Maloney
Maloney continues to show week in, week out why he is one of the NRL’s premier halves.
Unless he endures an injury in tonight’s top-of-the-table clash with the North Queensland Cowboys, Maloney is almost certain to pull on the No.6 at Suncorp Stadium.
Halfback: Adam Reynolds
Reynolds struggled in his first State of Origin game and was clearly nervous.
The Rabbitohs halfback failed to deliver for his side against the Wests Tigers on Friday in what was a night to forget however, Laurie Daley will stick by him as he prepares to blood a new generation.
Front Row: Aaron Woods and Paul Gallen
Aaron Woods didn’t do much against the Maroons in game one however, he is likely to retain his spot alongside skipper Paul Gallen in the starting front row.
Hooker: Robbie Farah
After being benched by coach Jason Taylor, Robbie Farah stepped against the Rabbitohs up showing why is rated amongst the best hookers in rugby league while also warranting his State of Origin selection.
The vice-captain will be one of the first names Laurie Daley puts on the team sheet for game two.
Second Row: Wade Graham and Josh Jackson
With Boyd Cordner injured, a spot has opened up in the back row and it appears likely that Sharks workhorse Wade Graham will take his spot.
The 25-year old has been in contention for a long time now and game two will be his chance to step up.
It is expected he will inject fear into the Maroons providing another dimension for the Blues’ forward pack.
He will partner Josh Jackson who is set to retain his spot despite a quiet performance in Game 1.
With the Panthers having the bye next week, Bryce Cartwright will likely be called into camp as 19th man.
If Graham is not selected, Laurie Daley will name either veteran Beau Scott or Tyson Frizell in his side.
Lock: Greg Bird
Bird will retain his spot with the veteran of 15 games having had a strong performance in Game 1 making a total of 35 tackles and proving to be a real threat.
Interchange
Dylan Walker, James Tamou, David Klemmer and Andrew Fifita will all remain on the bench for game two.
Walker proved himself yesterday against the Penrith Panthers scoring a double after he was given little time to impress in game one.
Tamou, Klemmer and Fifita are all proven performers and will provide plenty off the bench.
Predicted New South Wales Blues Team
1. Matt Moylan, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Josh Morris, 5. Josh Mansour, 6. James Maloney, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Paul Gallen (c), 11. Wade Graham, 12. Josh Jackson, 13. Greg BirdInterchange: 14. Dylan Walker, 15. James Tamou, 16. David Klemmer, 17. Andrew Fifita, 18. Josh Dugan, 19. Bryce Cartwright
Fullback: Darius Boyd
Boyd had a man-of-the-match performance in Game 1 and also proved himself this week scoring three tries in the space of 14 minutes against the Raiders.
The Broncos star has now proven himself as the best option at fullback for both Australia and Queensland.
Wing: Corey Oates and Dane Gagai
Gagai had a brilliant game in Sydney running for 175 metres and scoring a try.
Despite struggling to piece a win together for the Knights, he will be there again on June 22 alongside Oates.
Centre: Greg Inglis and Justin O’Neill
Inglis was relatively quiet in game one while Justin O’Neill had a strong State of Origin debut.
The pair will be named again despite a poor defensive effort by Greg Inglis on Friday night against the Wests Tigers.
Five-Eighth: Johnathan Thurston
There will be no questions over Johnathan Thurston’s selection with the four-time Dally M medallist to run out once again as he looks to win his eleventh State of Origin series.
Halfback: Cooper Cronk
Like Thurston, Cronk will be one of the first named for Game 2 and will run out at Suncorp Stadium (unless he injures his ankle in camp again).
Front Row: Matthew Scott and Nate Myles
The experienced Maroons front row will likely run out in Game 2.
The only question mark hangs over the head of Nate Myles with the prop in doubt after sustaining a knee injury against Penrith.
If he is ruled out, Jacob Lillyman will be the favourite to pull on the Queensland jumper while Gavin Cooper and Ethan Lowe could also contend for a spot in the Maroons side.
Hooker: Cameron Smith
The skipper broke Darren Lockyer’s record for most State of Origin caps in Game 1 and will continue his Maroons legacy in game three.
Second Row: Matt Gillett and Sam Thaiday
Gillett was one of the Maroons’ best in game on and alongside Sam Thaiday will add plenty to the Queensland side in Brisbane.
Lock: Corey Parker
Parker is easily the biggest workhorse in all of rugby league and will once more convert this to State of Origin with the Broncos skipper to represent his state for the 18th time.
Interchange
Kevin Walters will name the same bench as he fielded in game one with Michael Morgan, Josh McGuire, Aidan Guerra and Josh Papalii all certain to run out for Queensland once again.
Predicted Queensland Maroons Team
1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Justin O’Neill, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Johnathan Thurston, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Matthew Scott, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Nate Myles, 11. Matt Gillett, 12. Sam Thaiday, 13. Corey ParkerInterchange: 14. Michael Morgan, 15. Josh McGuire, 16. Aidan Guerra, 17. Josh Papalii, 18. Gavin Cooper
Roarers, who do you think will be named for New South Wales and Queensland in State of Origin Game 2?
You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew
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