The New South Wales Blues have confirmed their State of Origin team for Game 2, with just a single change announced in coach Brad Fittler’s side.
The 17 has been confirmed on Tuesday afternoon and after the original shock of Matt Prior being selected in the squad, it’s been confirmed he will start for the Blues, replacing the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
Prior wasn’t on the radar prior to the Blues surprise announcement of a 20-man squad on Saturday evening at 10:30pm (AEST).
After their 22-12 victory in Game 1 over the Queensland Maroons, the Blues were never likely to make more changes than they had to though and the other members brought into the squad have been released.
Despite the squad originally not supposed to be named until Sunday, Tariq Sims, Prior and Ryan James were all included as cover with one certain to play.
Talk leading up to the announcement centred on either Jake Trbojevic or Paul Vaughan moving into the starting side, with either Sims or James joining the bench, but Fittler cited his likeness to Campbell-Gillard as a key reason for the selection.
“The similarities between Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Matt Prior tipped us that way,” said Fittler.
Ryan James, who was originally thought to be a strong chance for the first game of the series, is seen as unlucky to miss out, but Fittler said he was handling it well.
“James is doing a great job. His attitude is brilliant. His response to being let down a couple of times has been brilliant and he will be playing Origin soon,” said Fittler.
Matt Prior said he didn’t know until this afternoon about the selection.
“He (Fittler) told me 15 minutes ago. He pulled us aside after a boxing session and told me I’ll make my debut,” Prior said.
It’s pretty special. I don’t know how many have debuted in Origin at 31.”
Arthur Beetson was the oldest player to make his State of Origin debut at 35.
1. James Tedesco
2. Tom Trbojevic
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. James Roberts
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Nathan Cleary
7. James Maloney
8. David Klemmer
9. Damien Cook
10. Matt Prior
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Tyson Frizell
13. Jack de Belin
Interchange
14. Paul Vaughan
15. Jake Trbojevic
16. Angus Crichton
17. Tyrone Peachey
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