Queensland squad for 2013 State of Origin Game 2: Expert reaction

After losing Game I of the 2013 State of Origin series, Queensland selectors and coach Mal Meninga have made two changes, with David Shillington and Ashley Harrison dropped, and Daly Cherry-Evans and Josh Papalii coming in on a new-look bench for the Maroons.

Meninga has said Queensland has a culture of loyalty, but new faces and enthusiasm were needed for game 2.

Here is how the team will line-up in Brisbane:

1. Billy Slater
After Queensland’s most dangerous attacking weapon Greg Inglis was starved of possession in game one, there have been a few murmurs for Slater to shift out to the flanks to give the big man some more ball.

As is their way though, the Maroons have stuck solid with the man whose done the job for them plenty of times before, with Slater looking to fire on the back of an improved forwards performance.

2. Darius Boyd
Boyd again showed his class as a finisher by picking up Queensland’s only four pointer in the first match after overcoming a leg injury. While his position is not under any threat he will be expected to get involved and take a few more runs out of his own end this time around.

3. Greg Inglis
It would be a brave New South Welshman who believes that Inglis will be as quiet in game two as he was in the opener.

Inglis’ fine form for the Rabbitohs suggests that he is still the best player in the country, and if the Maroons go behind early again expect to see Meninga give him a licence to roam.

4. Justin Hodges
Was one of the Maroons best players in Game one with his runs out of dummy-half always threatening, and will look to do more of the same in game two.

Will be upset the Blues centres had the better of him last time round and be fired up.

5. Brent Tate
Definitely brought his angry to game one, but seemed to lack a bit of polish especially when compared to the slick NSW wing men.

As part of the older brigade Tate would be aware that a series loss, and the rise of players like Edrick Lee, means that his time in the Maroon jersey could be numbered.

6. Johnathan Thurston
Injury meant that some fans are still not sure whether Johnathan Thurston actually played in game one, or someone just let one of the trainers chuck on a colourful headgear and the number six jersey. For a bloke who has made Origin his oyster in recent years Thurston was a shadow of himself, but after taking man of the match against the Dragons last Friday you’d have to think ‘JT’ will be back to his best come next Wednesday night.

7. Cooper Cronk
After realigning his paradigms and accentuating the focus of his core energies before game one, Cooper Cronk looked a little bit rushed with the ball. Probably only played as well as he was allowed to by the impressive NSW defence, Cronk is still the go to man for the Maroons when a big play is needed and his kicking game beyond reproach.

8. Matt Scott
Scott was the leader of a forward pack that was well trumped in game one, and has been accused in some circles of being too one dimensional in his play. Despite this Scott is still a must selection

9. Cameron Smith
Was his usual impressive self in game one and came within a metre of getting the Maroons back in the match early in the second half. Will look to up the tempo of the Queensland attack in game two with a few more darts out of dummy half.

10. Nate Myles
Absorbed a lot of punishment in game one but managed to keep his head and ‘punch out’ his usual impressive numbers both in attack and defence. Now moved into the front-row, it will be interesting to see how the big man bounces back from all the headlines and his running battle with Gallen will be one to watch.

11. Chris McQueen
The Kingaroy Red Ant received limited opportunities in game one but did enough to impress Big Mal to move up to start in place of Shillington. He’ll be thrilled, and will be keen to get his Origin career firing.

12. Sam Thaiday
Considering the Blues back rowers Bird and Lewis in game one were two of the best on the paddock, Thaiday will feel that he has something to prove in the return bout. Will benefit from a healthy Thurston and a beefed up front row.

13. Corey Parker
Despite his reputation as an 80 minute toiler Parker was Queensland’s best interchange player in game one, and added plenty to the side with some nice offloads. After that performance, he starts at lock for the Maroons.

Bench

14. Daly Cherry-Evans
The star of Cherry-Evans continued to rise last week as he almost singled handily pulled off a miraculous comeback for club side Manly against the Bulldogs. In hindsight probably should have started instead of Thurston in game one, but has made the cut onto the Maroons new-look bench.

15. Ben Teo
After a game one build up that saw him receiving round the clock media attention and all but go into hiding pre-match, Teo managed to put out a solid if unremarkable performance. Will be expected to add a little more oomph to proceedings this time around and pull off a few of the crunching tackles he has become well known for.

16. Matt Gillett
Gillett has shown in club football that he is an exciting, versatile player who can score a try. Questions still remain though as to whether he is a bona fide Origin player, and will look to build on a fairly quiet performance in game one in front of his home fans.

17. Josh Papalii
‘Papa’ has belted out more hits in the NRL this season than the Beatles’ entire album collection, and is seen by many as the man to add a bit of spark to the Queensland pack off the bench. Has massive wraps on him and could add a fear factor to the Maroons defence that was lacking in the opening match.

18th man: Martin Kennedy
Roosters enforcer Kennedy missed the cut for Game 1 by a small margin, and was reportedly shattered at the omission. The 24-year-old is at least in the squad, even if it’s likely he won’t get a game, barring injury. At 118kgs in the front-row, he could still be the wrecking ball Queensland needs if he gets a chance.

Chris’ thoughts: It seems Queensland have decided to sacrifice size for versatility – bringing in a halfback on the bench, and leaving out powerhouse Kennedy, or other forwards such as Ben Hannant. It worked for NSW in Game 1 though …