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Game 2 of the 2019 State of Origin series has arrived, and not without plenty of drama in the week leading up to the game, with Sunday night’s team announcements bringing about a total of nine changes across the two teams from the Maroons Game 1 win.
All the focus has been on Brad Fittler and the Blues though, as the team was given a major shake-up, changing seven players from the four-point loss in Brisbane.
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Despite the fact the Blues controlled the first half and had the early lead, Fittler will come in with a virtually unrecognisable backline and bench.
While they were forced to replace Nick Cotric on the wing, both centres – Latrell Mitchell and Josh Morris – have also been dropped from the side for Game 2.
The axing of Mitchell was a particular surprise to most pundits, while Morris was viewed as one of the Blues best in Game 1 after being given a recall to the Origin arena in the twilight of his career.
In their place, Tom Trbojevic and Jack Wighton (who was the bench utility in Game 1) have been picked to play out of position in the centres, while Blake Ferguson has been given a place on the wing, having last played Origin a number of years ago.
Cody Walker has also been dropped, with Fittler opting for the halves combination who won the series last year, meaning James Maloney is recalled to play alongside Nathan Cleary.
The Blues were also forced to drop David Klemmer, who broke his wrist in Game 1. Daniel Saifiti is the left-field selection in his place to start up front.
The rest of the starting forward pack remains the same. On the bench though, Payne Haas is out with injury, and Angus Crichton has been dropped, meaning Tariq Sims, Wade Graham and Dale Finucane have been added to the bench.
The Maroons, on the other hand, come into Game 2 looking much more settled, with only two forced changes.
Jai Arrow and Joe Ofahengaue have been ruled out with injuries, and it’ll mean Dylan Napa is promoted from the bench to the starting side, while Jarrod Wallace and Tim Glasby, who were both unlucky to miss out for Game 1 after being in the Maroons side last year, have been selected to play from the bench.
It means Kalyn Ponga, Daly Cherry-Evans, Cameron Munster and Ben Hunt retain their places in the spine after the Game 1 success, while the rest of the team never looked in danger of being replaced.
The final teams will be confirmed at 6:50pm (AEST) on Sunday evening, one hour before kick-off.
| Queensland Maroons | Number | New South Wales Blues |
|---|---|---|
| Kalyn Ponga | 1 | James Tedesco |
| Corey Oates | 2 | Blake Ferguson |
| Michael Morgan | 3 | Tom Trbojevic |
| Will Chambers | 4 | Jack Wighton |
| Dane Gagai | 5 | Josh Addo-Carr |
| Cameron Munster | 6 | James Maloney |
| Daly Cherry-Evans (c) | 7 | Nathan Cleary |
| Dylan Napa | 8 | Daniel Saifiti |
| Ben Hunt | 9 | Damien Cook |
| Josh Papalii | 10 | Paul Vaughan |
| Felise Kaufusi | 11 | Boyd Cordner (c) |
| Matt Gillett | 12 | Tyson Frizell |
| Josh McGuire | 13 | Jake Trbojevic |
| Bench | ||
| Moses Mbye | 14 | Dale Finucane |
| Jarrod Wallace | 15 | Tariq Sims |
| Tim Glasby | 16 | Cameron Murray |
| David Fifita | 17 | Wade Graham |
| Reserves | ||
| Christian Welch | 18 | Ryan Matterson |
| Corey Norman | 19 | Clint Gutherson |
Be sure to tune in on The Roar for our live coverage of the match from 7:30pm (AEST) on Sunday evening.
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