Now that the dust has well and truly settled on New South Wales’ upset loss in State of Origin Game 1, it’s time for both coaches to turn full attention to their Game 2 line-ups.
Debutant five-eighth Cody Walker may have had his papers stamped already after he was hooked for Jack Wighton early in the second half – is last year’s winning five-eighth, James Maloney, the answer?
He looked mighty impressive in Penrith’s upset win over the Roosters on Sunday – but is his rough start to 2019 simply too poor to ignore?
How did they turn it around?
We got Roar NRL expert Joe Frost onto the Game of Codes podcast to debate whether Brad Fittler should be looking for change in the No.6 jersey ahead of Game 2 next Sunday.
Listen to the debate:
That won’t be the only selection quandary facing the Blues, with star forward David Klemmer set to miss Game 2 with a broken wrist.
That, and all other selection rumours ahead of State of Origin Game 2 go under the microscope on Game of Codes.
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
kk
Roar Pro
Sam, there are thousands of us.
Samuel
Guest
Because He's My Player
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Origins are often decided by whoever gains ascendancy in throwing the shoes of opposition players. In game one, without Maloney, Ben Hunt was able to throw shoes, virtually unopposed. Unless Fittler and the NSW selectors act swiftly to correct that imbalance, the result of game 2 will be no different to game one.
Mac
Guest
Leaving him out was stupid and needs to be fixed. 2014 we win with Josh Reynolds at 5/8 who gets dropped and replaced with an out position Mitch Pearce the following year and we all now how that went. 2018 we win and again drop the 5/8 (who steered NSW around the park) the following year for a rookie along side a nervous youngster and it ends up being a tactical mess if you go back and re watch. The whole thing is just bizarre.
Nat
Roar Guru
Still not sure why every article about G1 refers to it as an "upset" loss to NSW. Qld went in carrying the advantage in the majority of key areas and I think that became apparent as the game went on. Then Freddy went in with a plan to finish the game with 'leg speed' on the park from his smaller forwards but he didn't count on, nor react, when the size advantage turned to Qld and they bashed the smaller NSW forwards. I argued before G1 that leaving Jimmy out was mistake but there is not much any half can do behind a beaten pack.