The Queensland Maroons have named their State of Origin team for Game 2 of the 2019 series in Perth.
As expected, the Maroons have only made forced changes to the winning formula from Game 1, with Jai Arrow and Joe Ofahengaue both ruled out in the period between Game 1 and 2 playing club football for the Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos respectively.
Arrow picked up an ankle injury, while there is a hope Ofahengaue might be back for Game 3, given he only sustained a minor hamstring strain.
Tim Glasby, who was 18th man for Game 1, has been called up to the 17 and will start for the Maroons after making his Origin debut last year.
The other man called up is Jarrod Wallace, who, like Glasby, was dropped from last year’s series.
His form has been up and down in an inconsistent Gold Coast Titans outfit, but with the Ofahengaue unavailable, there was no question on his position in the side.
With no forced changes though, the Maroons will go into Game 2 settled. Captain Daly Cherry-Evans leads a strong spine featuring Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster and Ben Hunt, who keeps his spot after a solid Game 1 out of position, despite the return from injury of Andrew McCullough and improved form of Jake Granville in the last couple of weeks.
Michael Morgan will again play out of position in the backline for the Maroons, lining up inside Corey Oates, while Will Chambers and Dane Gagai form the combination on the other side of the park.
Up front, Josh Papalii, Felise Kaufusi, Matt Gillett and Josh McGuire round out the forward pack.
Despite seeing just eight minutes in Game 1, Moses Mbye retains his place as the sides utility, while David Fifita and the explosive Dylan Napa are also on the Queensland bench.
Christian Welch, Edrick Lee and Corey Norman have been included in the extended squad.
Game 2 of the Origin series will be played on Sunday, June 23 at Optus Stadium in Perth, with kick-off slated for 7:50pm (AEST).
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Corey Oates
3. Michael Morgan
4. Will Chambers
5. Dane Gagai
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (C)
8. Dylan Napa
9. Ben Hunt
10. Josh Papalii
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Matt Gillett
13. Josh McGuire
Interchange
14. Moses Mbye
15. Jarrod Wallace
16. Tim Glasby
17. David Fifita
Reserves
18. Christian Welch
19. Edrick Lee
20. Corey Norman
Rob
Guest
Jia Arrow is a massive out for this Queensland team. His work rate and carries at the back end of Origin 1 were critical. I've always been supportive of keeping a winning team together but 2 young players that I would love to have seen considered are AJ Brimson and Reed Mahoney. Brimson on the bench for Mbye would bring spark. Brimson has that special off the cuff attack that could break a strong defensive line and his speed would help to finish against this very quick NSW side. The other option would be Reed Mahoney. Ben Hunt struggled with consistent service from dummy half as the work rate started to take its toll. Hunt being supported either by young Reed Mahoney off the bench or starting would go a long way to stopping Cook exposing our middle in defence IMO .
R N
Roar Rookie
Yep... Arrow has been fantastic! That 2nd stint in game 2 was really something. Hopefully the guys picked will do the job! I am not a big fan of Glaseby but your right, he has been there and done! Hoping Sydney will just be a glorified lap of honour for the maroons!
RandyM
Guest
Surely Welch is better than Glasby. Glasby is barely first grade standard. Mbye again? lol - oh well I shouldn't laugh, they did win game 1.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yeah same. Welsh is a bigger, faster prop who can whack. His stats are all over Glasby's too but I guess Kevvie wants that experience. Glasby won't let anyone down in D but I think Welsh brings more. I was surprised Wallace wasn't there in G1.
Graham
Guest
Napa starting is a surprise NSW picked a weirdly vulnerable looking team.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Isn't Joe Ofahengaue out due to the horrific knee gash suffered in Origin Game 1? This squad looks fine. Still enough size in the middle to cause NSW some trouble, and far too much class in the 1,6,7 and outside backs. Wallace will want to make amends for his lacklustre 2018 series. Glasby has never let QLD down and has won all 3 of his previous Origin games. My main concern is still Ben Hunt. He played decent in Game 1 making plenty of tackles and not overplaying his hand, however, was often late to the ruck, threw some awful passes (which admittedly improved throughout the game so that may have been an issue with the playmakers not being vocal enough or messing up the calls), and struggled to get back into marker a number of times. If he just does his job then QLD will win. If he tries to do too much then anything could happen.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Seems like a lot of potential has been unfulfilled in NQ over the last couple seasons
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
We are on the same wavelength RN. Welch is a step up from Glasby IMO. But I reckon Kevie has just gone for him because he has been there and done that. We will miss Arrow heaps. He’s a gun.
Tommyknocker
Roar Rookie
I know he has plenty of time but currently Coen Hess is a disappointment. I thought at one stage QLD had found their impact forward for the next 10 years.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
No Mitchell?? He'll be lost... lol
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Maybe Joe, but he (Mbye) was really solid against Cowboys.
Adzy
Roar Rookie
Not uncommon for Qld to lack forward depth, they seem to find a way.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I was talking adrop off in quality, not size. Or at least intensity.
Tommyknocker
Roar Rookie
I am not sure they are really that smaller than the starting props. Fifita is 120kg and Glasby and Wallace are 108kg. The starting props are not huge. Napa only weighs in at 110, McGuire at 107 and Papali at 109.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah that’s the only saving grace for the NSW bench. The fact QLD won’t be getting a heap of middle impact either. But gee I like your backline. Plus given the short turnaround with the game on Sunday (and in Perth), you want a settled side due to limited field sessions. NSW have opted for brand new combos, plus players out of position. They won’t have much time to gel together. If they win, it will be down to luck only.
Roar GOAT
Roar Rookie
Agree, real lack of depth in the front row and also unfortunately all of our best utility bench players are all starting - ie munster, Morgan and hunt all would be fantastic bench players but all worthy of their starting spots. I
R N
Roar Rookie
Was really hoping Welch would make his debut. Would have went Welch, Wallace and left Glaseby as 18th! Other than that hard to argue... pretty solid.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Looks like there'll be a noticeable droff of when the starting props come off. Smaller bench might not be so bad for NSW.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Do so hope Chambers can keep his mouth shut again this time!!!!
Stormy
Roar Rookie
I like the team, just not sure about Napa. Need to see more from him. Go Qld!