What changes should both Origin sides make for Game 2?

Same as with the DRAGONS

The ‘rocket’ is an interesting one. The approach from the Roosters and Blues seems to be gently gently with him.

TB With a bit more time to reflect I would agree, but he needs a rocket. He says he doesn't like all the "next Inglis" talk and I believe that, but I also think he is swallowing a bit too much of the hype. He's a damaging ball player no doubt, but also a damaging player for the wrong reasons as well. We need more of the former and a bit less of the latter and this season has been pretty poor for him, even at the roosters. He seems to be a lot more focused on niggle, and taking on certain people rather than just smiling at them as he puts on a big fend and breaks 600 tackles to score. Halves remain an issue, as has always been the case for NSW in recent times. We could have used Maloney out there, or Kearey, or anyone who can control a team. I just hope it doesn't lead us back down the wrong path looking for answers. Still two games to go, up the Blues.

There’s no way we drop Latrell. He’s capable of these games. Surely everyone knows that going in. He doesn’t have a high work rate so if he doesn’t get quality ball, he’s quiet. He’ll take his game to the next level if he starts doing what the great players do and getting into dummy half to take the tough carries out of his own end like an Inglis, Hodges or Morris. Getting into the game instead of waiting for it. I didn’t think he got a lot of good ball. NSWs attack seemed to be focus on breaking Queensland through the middle. Having said that Latrell doesn’t get a lot of touches with the Roosters so he needs to make the most of what he gets in Origin. As poor as he played he still almost pulled the game out of the fire at the end and we don’t have many players that can do that. Hopefully it’s good for him in the long run. He’s a very good player but all this ‘next Inglis’ talk is premature and unnecessary. It’s a timely reminder that he’s got some improvements to make and work to do to be a great

Yep, and it really showed with NSW's lack of energy through the middle in the back end. If Freddy fixes his interchanges up the Blues will be dangerous again.

Totally agree with all. If Finucane met Crighton in a dark alley I know who I would back. Also find a captain who doesn't take 80 minutes to get his point across.

Blues should get rid of Nathan clearly for Adam Reynolds, add Luke Keary, add Blake Ferguson as wing

Far more eloquently put than I tried above.

‘about the same now, and better once the combination has time to develop’ would be a reasonable person’s interpretation of the Broncs halves....

Queensland - NONE. They won. NSW - Cleary = The new Pearce. Adam Reynolds to replace Nathan Cleary. Assuming Luke Keary is still out.Cody Walker deserves a proper shot at Origin,and that can be achieved by playing with his regular halves partner.Last night was never going to work with Walker and Cleary playing together for the first time. Ryan Matterson to replace Jack Wighton on the bench. Matterson can play in the centres,anywhere in the backrow,and 5/8.Wighton is also bunder prone and last night proved it.Wouldn't have pick him to start with. Dale Finucane to replace Angus Crichton on the bench.Finucane is tough,never stops trying,and deserves his shot.While Crichton is overrated,and only made it cause he plays for the Roosters.

Swap Cleary for Pearce you mean mate.. say what you want about Mitch but at least he is dangerous with the hall in his hands. Can step and can bust tackles so the D needs to focus on him all the time which is exactly what Walker needs to unleash. Amazes me how many people are keen to drop Walker the form man in the comp who played a bit quiet yet argue to keep Cleary who is totally out of form and played a bit quiet? One has upside one has none.. seriously

And I agree with that, always have.... But that isn't the point of my comment - if he did get the gig and pulled it off, it would be a great redemption story... just saying.

It’s easier to transition to the middle defensively than from the middle to an edge. I’m all onboard for the Finucane selection but not as an edge player. Finucane would have played 10-15 games for Queensland by now.

I completely agree. Qld got 80 minutes out of everyone other than their middle third forwards which meant they rotated seven players through three positions. The Qld middle forwards were (relatively) fresh and effective all night. In comparison Fittler burned three interchanges on edge forwards (Frizell off and back on and Cordner off) and two on his five eighth. Five out of eight interchanges on positions that should be occupied by 80 minute players. All the NSW bench were on the field for too long and their best starting forwards on the bench too long.

Had Jake Friend not busted his bicep McCullough would not have been in the conversation this year. And then we would have seen Hunt on the pine again. But McCullough was just OK last year. He posed zero threat in attack so we had to look beyond him this year anyway. And that’s not comparing him with Cook as the benchmark either. If Hunt was injured I reckon Walters still won’t go back to McCullough. Great club workhorse and offers important leadership and direction to his club side. If he doesn’t accept less money he might not have a gig at the Broncs next year

This! Hunt’s a great choice at 14

Or not enough support. Most of the others couldn't keep up with him apart from the lurking Tedesco or Murray when close to the ruck.

Keary won't be playing this series ! And Reynolds is injured again it seems. Maloney's form has been awful, hence the talk of Super League. So I think its either keep Cleary & Walker and hope the experience makes them better for that run, or swap Walker out for Pearce to partner Cleary. At least the defence will be massively improved. And by design, I think the current main NSW playmaker is Cook through the middle of the ruck, either using Tedesco & Murray as his runners or going wider to the halves to add some variety to that focus either side of the ruck.

What Emcie said below. Plus hang on, I thought the Milf/Dearden combo was supposed to be far better and more compatible than Milf/Niko as well (which I would actually agree with)? What's the story here, are we better now or not? I'm not really sure that Hunt putting in a super effort, per the general narrative, and coming up with the same stats and arguably less efficient impact that a 'not good enough' Macca produces makes Hunt better. I would suggest it actually implies the opposite. I would have to check the stats, but off the top of my head, Macca actually has more 40/20s than Hunt, so I'm not even sure about that statement. Plus, per below again, he completely nullified that with possibly the worst set of service I've ever watched.

Yeah, that was I saw it as well; Hunt didn't even contribute to any of our scoring plays that match either. I really don't see what he's done that's so special; most of his tackles are third man leg pulls (even pulled off Cordner's boot deliberately last night) and his service was mediocre at best. Suppose I should reiterate; Macca's crime was failing to be either Cook or Cam Smith. Bloke was never going to win.