Queensland coach Kevin Walters has announced sweeping changes to his side for State of Origin Game 2, to be played at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday, June 21, with Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston returning to the side.
» 12 talking points from NRL Round 12
» No changes for the Blues
» Expert reaction to the NSW team for Game 2
» Expert reaction to the Queensland team
» State of Origin Game 2 teams
Slater controversially missed Game 1, but with the series on the line, he has been recalled to the position he made his own throughout Queensland’s winning streak. That is likely to push his fill-in fullback Darius Boyd to the wing, with Corey Oates dropping out of the side.
Dane Gagai also moves into the centres in place of Justin O’Neill, with Valentine Holmes set to make his debut on the other wing, claiming the vacant backline spot.
After a successful return to the NRL for the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday against the Parramatta Eels, Johnathan Thurston reclaims his spot in the halves alongside Cooper Cronk, with his fill-in from Game 1, Anthony Milford dropping out.
Gold Coast Titans prop Jarrod Wallace who was in the squad as 18th man for Game 1 has been included in the Game 2 team, but was charged with a low-grade shoulder charge over the weekend against the New Zealand Warriors.
It carries a one-week suspension for an early guilty plea, but he will fight it at the judiciary on Tuesday night.
If found guilty, the in-form front rower will be out for two games with his Origin hopes dashed, which would force Queensland to call up another front rower.
Tim Glasby and Coen Hess have also been named to make their debuts in the forward pack, while Gavin Cooper has also been given an Origin reprieve.
With Wallace also in the team, the four forwards overlooked from Game 1 are Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Aidan Guerra and Jacob Lillyman – Wallace was the only starter and it’s likely Wallace will be a like-for-like replacement while the other three take spots on the interchange.
The surprise of Glasby is a shock, however there were calls for both Hess and Cooper to be included for Game 1.
Interestingly, the Maroons have only named 17 players, despite the threat of suspension for Wallace.
If Wallace is to be banned, Korbin Sims is shaping as the most likely replacement. Others who would come under consideration include the dropped Jacob Lillyman and Manly prop Brenton Lawrence.
There was also some speculation Josh Papalii would be moved to the front row, allowing for another second rower to be picked for the bench.
If Wallace is banned, it’s unclear if the replacement player would start the match, or be picked on the bench allowing for Tim Glasby to start.
The team was not named in numerical order
Queensland Maroons team for State of Origin Game 2
Darius Boyd – Brisbane Broncos
Will Chambers – Melbourne Storm
Gavin Cooper – North Queensland Cowboys
Cooper Cronk – Melbourne Storm
Dane Gagai – Newcastle Knights
Matt Gillett – Brisbane Broncos
Tim Glasby – Melbourne Storm
Coen Hess – North Queensland Cowboys
Valentine Holmes – Cronulla Sharks
Josh McGuire – Brisbane Broncos
Michael Morgan – North Queensland Cowboys
Dylan Napa – Sydney Roosters
Josh Papalii – Canberra Raiders
Billy Slater – Melbourne Storm
Cameron Smith – Melbourne Storm
Johnathan Thurston – North Queensland Cowboys
Jarrod Wallace – Gold Coast TitansCoach: Kevin Walters
Roarers, what do you make of the Queensland team for Game 2? Drop a comment and let us know.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Not true. Oates was fantastic and his strong returns allowed Gagai and co to run at a NSW side on the back foot. Something no other player in the QLD side was able to accomplish. From memory he was put on his back once in 80 minutes of football. Oates' form may be indifferent this year but to belittle his effort in Origin I is a bit much.
Sideline
Guest
Don't think anyone thinks that to be honest mate. Just look at Daley's comments on complacency.
Craig
Guest
I would drop Boyd and have kept Oates. Who is more likely to score on the wing? Who is more likely to make more metres? Boyd carrying the call back is weak. Boyd hitting it up on tackle 1 is also weak.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
As soon as I heard Thurston was playing in Darwin I raced to get a bet on. Surprisingly the odds never moved throughout the day. Unsurprisingly he absolutely dominated and it was the easiest cash you'll ever make. An absolute freak and will cause Daley some headaches in the lead up. This is a stronger Maroons sides across the park. DCE seems out of favour. But surely he'll come into consideration again. Still, those you named don't have the same aura of Thurston, Lockyer & Cronk.
Jimmmy
Guest
It's hard to hate a team that has the twin Turnos in it EJ. I like watching Manly as well.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Haha wow that's something I never thought I'd hear from you! Yeah Barrett has done well with the cards he has been dealt. A bit too immature to really press for a premiership this year, but who knows from 2018 and beyond Some good young big men coming through. Fonua-Blake, 21, Perrett, 22, both should be mainstays of the pack in the years ahead. Both with great offloads, both strong through the legs to get away from the first tackle. With Taupau, 27, Trbojevic, 23, Sironen, 23, and Koroisau, 24, you have the bones of a decent pack that should stay together for a while yet.
V.O.R.
Guest
Ha, ha... yes Thurston is a Talisman. You knew you were watching the GOAT on Saturday night. State of Origin 2 is going to be electric with Thurston, Billy, Gaigai, Holmes, Boyd and Chambers. Quick. Regarding the lack of depth Ej is sprouting...Queensland's future play makers in DCE, Milford and Ash Taylor should make a good fist of it.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Good to hear Jimmmy. I'm way more nervous heading into Game II. The changes made by Kevvie are good ones. Im just stirring.
Jimmmy
Guest
I was panicking before JT made his successful comeback on the Wekend. Now I am as calm as a Yoga teacher on Valium.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Easy to be loyal when winning. Not having many to choose from also helps. Just having fun Jimmmy. The panic is clearly setting in. Thurston, Smith, Cronk, Slater won't be around for much longer to gloss over the lack of depth that is apparent at the moment.
V.O.R.
Guest
Yer eJ. I actually never thought I would say this but Manly might even be my favourite NSW team now. ;) What Barrett has done with your boys is very impressive. I really enjoy watching them play. Lot's of offloads and 2nd phase. Everyone is starting to take notice. Your run home is not too bad either. I remember naming Frizzell in a NSW team a couple of years before he got his shot. He just looked like he had something. I reckon Lloyd Perrett is in the same boat. Can't he get an offload away. Hopefully he can stay injury free. Yer, i'd say Myles days are numbered. Do you think he could play 30 minutes in Origin now? I was hoping we would see an Adam Mogg like selection from out of nowhere. Ha.
Emcie
Roar Guru
The problem is that Oates kick returns were taken out of the equation by the Blues gameplan in game 1
Jimmmy
Guest
They don't get it VOR . Just let them their sprout rubbish. They won't let facts stand in the way of a good story.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Nah he's eligible for QLD. Has to cement a first grade spot first. But I rate him highly and should displace Myles moving forward. Nice to see you plugging a Manly player VOR ?
V.O.R.
Guest
No one stood out for QLD except Gagai. Oates has not been in form this year. That is not disputed. He was given his spot in front of the current Australian winger because of the importance the Maroons place on loyalty. If his blood was blue he would not of got selected in a NSW team in front of a player like Holmes. Queensland do not chop and change like NSW. This 'smug' Queenslander will call your myth BS and raise you a fact. Since Origin began QLD have used 186 players while NSW has used 267 players. The cultures are different. That's what makes Origin so great.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Oates, probably the second best on the field for QLD in Game I, puts that myth to bed. 7 tackle breaks, 158m, 1 try. Only 22 and dumped. We know we chop and change. As have QLD. We've just never been smug enough to declare otherwise.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Why has it got you scratching your head? If the selectors had any sense Holmes would have been there for game 1 if it wasnt for the whole "let's be loyal until we get flogged" thing they've got going on...
steveng
Roar Rookie
It doesn't matter who Qld pick, Blues will thrash them like last time. lol
Rob
Guest
I think Will is having a lend of everyone? I wouldn't have picked him in the first game as he has been average at best. Then on the weekend against Parra he played his best game in 12 months. He looked fresh and hungry to play. His goal kicking and short kick were spot on. It maybe the difference in a close one
Art Vanderlay
Guest
As at game 1 2017 Number of NSW State of Origin players = 267 Number of Qld State of origin players = 186 Good old EJ and Will pretending they know something, hehehe