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
Ian Michie
Guest
Great team Freddy. Go the Blues. Cheers ROOSTER IAN
Graham
Guest
Prior might be NSWs best forward. Over 30 tackles a game at 93%
Neil
Guest
I don’t get how you can claim it is confirmed. All that has been confirmed is that Matt Prior will be replacing RCG. Other than that the team is still to be announced. All you have done is change one players name write confirmed on it.
Bonza
Guest
Freddie knows what he's doing. Prior has great line speed in defence and hits hard plus big motor and level headed. He's won 2 GFs at ANZ and won't go missing if it gets tough unlike some others in the past. Tough break for Tariq Sims if anything.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Not surprised, said the other day his got more big game experience than most of the team and knows what it takes to win them.... Freddy is aware of that. Glad to see him get rewarded for consistent performance, well deserved at 31.
Tom
Guest
Rubbish selection. Ryan James must have walked under a ladder whilst smashing a bunch of mirrors and having a black cat walk in front of him.
Dejavu
Guest
Fittler and co have made their first misstep for the series. I don’t quite know how Prior and RCG are ‘like for like’- Prior is solid while RCG is high impact. James seems to me the player that QLD would fear more. The only thing I can think of is that Prior’s ruck defence might be a bit tighter. Considering that the Sharks managed to shut Ponga down earlier this season, Prior might be there in that capacity? It may not cost NSW as Prior is still a quality player, but James is big, strong, smart and in the best form of his life.
Gus Paella
Guest
Wow.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Still practically a full strength side.