Queensland Maroons confirm State of Origin line-up for Game 2

After reading the recent comments, I believe people have missed the most important ingredient in an origin win - dominant forwards. I recall an origin strategy from a couple of years ago was to limit Matt Scott's running metres to under 100m for the game. NSW achieved their goal and won the game (Qld had Thurston, Cronk, Smith, Inglis in their team). We (Qld) will start the game with inexperienced props who will be all energy and no direction. After 15 - 20mins the props will be gassed (dependant upon game possession) and looking for a spell. Who comes on? Will Kevvie use a backrower to move upfront and bring one of the less dynamic backrowers from the bench to fill the vacancy? Outcome - we (Qld) will lose any advantage-line dominance due to lack of quick p-t-bs, our good-ball sets will be easier to defend as NSW will be given more reset time, and worst scenario of all - Graham, Cordner, Frizelle, and Jackson will have the time to perfect their outside-in defensive strikes on Thurston and Cronk. Solution: Offensively, the counter we could use (and probably will) is to set a platform through the centre (20m - 20m laterally), change angle and attack Maloney on midfield sets, and play isolation sets (double-team 3 / 4 defender) in good-ball sets. Defensively, tighten around the ruck, numbers in the tackle, win the impact and wrestle. Be willing to absorb a few penalties because if we're going to win the ruck we will need to.

I think he will cope with the extra tackling. I know we're going back a long way but in game 1 2011 he had to keep coming off his wing to help Willy Tonga out with Mark Gasnier. Tonga sustained a shoulder injury very early in the match and bravely played on, however it was Boyd's extra work that helped cover that vulnerability.

The guy we should pick again. Averages 1.5 tries per origin and Queensland are undefeated when he plays.

What a game this will be , NSW with their tales up and QLD with their backs against the wall . NSW will win this on the back of QLD inexperienced forwards losing their shiiit at vital moments and the Blues capitalising on that lost shiiit . A two try margin with the new NSW captain receiving MOTM honours . See you all Thursday for the gloating session.

That's true but I think you have to have specialist props to start the game. I think that's a big reason why Nate Myles was picked for game 1 this year. They wanted a specialist prop with origin experience. If Matt Scott wasn't injured I think it's a good chance Myles wouldn't have played game 1 given his lacklustre performance in last year's series coupled with his lacklustre club form. This game they have no choice but to pick inexperienced props. I think one of the problems that Queensland have had in the forwards in the last few series is that they've moved away from the strategy of picking four specialist props. They used to dominate in the forwards. Granted the depth of front rowers isn't as great but I think if you've got 2 genuine props on the field at all times then you'll rarely get overrun. The issue now is that Scott is injured and Myles is past it and no other front rower has had a go before this year.

I smell a Maroon ambush. Slater and JT back, Blues chilling out in a casino thinking their work is done. Qld by 12, followed by an "emotional farewell" at Suncorp that will see another series lost.

Who's Adam Mogg?

Straight swap from O'Neil and Holmes imo would've been all the back line needed, bringing Salter back for some zip out back only to weaken the wall in front of him, Boyd at centre with a rookie outside him Im guessing is prob a bit too much. Blues 22-4

Well I would be running at Boyd all night and see how his front line defence stacks up. He won;t be able to remember the last time he made 10 tackles in a match. Having said that he is a quality player so I hope he will cope ok.

Wouldn't every side want a bigger, faster & more skilful prop, unfortunately you have to pick from who's available. Qld has been successful for a decade based on Matt Scott's front row efforts & he's no giant. Play the cards you're dealt, run the nsw forwards around a bit more than game 1, the Qld pack looks mobile enough. QLD has generally picked packs comprising mainly workers, Hess might bring that X factor that's been missing for a while, we used to have Inglis to take those hard charges back from deep in our own territory and Hodges was reliable for 20 metres from dummy half beating 2-3 tackles a few times in most games. Boyd doesn't mind smashing it back when the side needs it, has lifted the Broncos quite a few times doing that. Reckon Graham will try to land one of his blind-sided tackles on Hess early on if they're both on, might come unstuck there. Can't wait, should be a great game whatever happens, 2 good sides named (take note Robbie & Paul).

Queensland need their #'s 8-13 and #'s 15-17 to sustain maximum effort to win. Break even, at least, and the Maroon backline will do the rest. Q by 7.

Think the selection of Wallace to start is he's more of the grinding 80 minute player this season while Papali is an impact forward (we hope). Napa will be better for the experience & did have an ankle injury so they held him back in the second half to not waste an interchange. I thought it was obvious that Chambers would revert to his club position at right centre once a left side specialist in Boyd was selected as a centre. Darius will be fine, gets bagged by haters, but is in great form and now a leader, how life can turn around. Forward rotation, including Morgan, looks a lot better. Sorry for Sam but all good things come to an end. I'm excited about the pace Holmes brings versus O'Neill's in game one. He half-busted the blues but lacked the acceleration to get clear, something Val can do. Love the way Holmes charges back into the defence from kicks, reminds me of Karmichael Hunt at his early best. Still a really hard task but they're in with a big chance, would love a Corey Parker off-loading type in the pack somewhere.

I also have concerns about the starting props but really there isn't much difference on the bench either. Also Wallace isn't really a big man...bit like Papalli who is actually short compared to the other props. Saw a pic of Wallace with Hess and Glasby and those two were much bigger than him, and Glasby would be probably 4th at the Storm in terms of front row dimensions. I think this front row will come out firing but the big bodies in the NSW pack will take its toll and they will struggle in the 2nd half.

NSW by 10+

Wallace will be fine. So will Glasby. This is the State who made Adam Mogg a household name. We have a tradition of such selections and all the talk up here is positive. Ready to prove a point. Re: Napa, if NSW have to work it off their line he will come into his own. However big question mark over his defence under the pump at this level. Gotta say eJ, the adittion of Val Holmes and an inform Slater has the Maroons backline looking lethal. It could even be the fastest set of outside backs that QLD has ever put on the field. I'm sure they are not done with Hayne.

Haha true I forgot he's now an old head! He was gassed after 10mins. The ankle was a convenient excuse brought on by not containing his nervous energy. You'd hope he'd learn from that, and he probably will. But it's a risk having effectively 2 debutants as your starting props.

Oates is built for Origin. Great start to the set, good finisher. Saying that he's likely not going to win a game on his own. Val Holmes on the other hand has the potential to turn a game upside down from anywhere on the park. Especially with Cronk feeding him a sneaky inside ball. Are you nervous Rene?

Napa a rookie? He's an experienced origin player now. He won't make the same mistake this time by injuring his ankle.

Did I say Oates was "better"? No. I said Oates was possibly the best on a losing side. Holmes is one of many debutantes. It's the wrong time for him to get a start.

Anyone who thinks Oates is a better player than Holmes must only have FTA and only watch Broncos games..... I get the feeling you fit that criteria