Origin II team lists: Late changes CONFIRMED for both teams while Blues star cleared for kick-off

Queensland have made two late changes an hour before Origin II kick-off with Tom Flegler and Reuben Cotter promoted to the starting line-up.

Flegler will start at prop with Cotter in the second row, sending Lindsay Collins and Jeremiah Nanai back to the interchange.

NSW have made one change to their selected 1-17 with debutant hooker Reece Robson to start with Damien Cook back to the bench.

They received a late boost with Liam Martin being cleared to pack down for Origin II despite copping a heavy knock for Penrith.

Martin entered the concussion protocols after the Panthers’ Round 15 win over the Roosters and after being on restricted duties at training has been allowed to suit up for the match.

The Blues are set to switch their wingers around to avoid Brian To’o marking up on the much taller Xavier Coates. The Penrith speedster will head over to the right wing with Josh Addo-Carr returning to the left, where he lines up for Canterbury at NRL level.

AJ Brimson will be Queensland’s 18th player, as originally selected, with Matt Burton doing likewise for NSW with Maroons reserve Corey Horsburgh and Blues forward Keaon Koloamatangi each dropping out.

Liam Martin. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Martin getting cleared is a shot in the arm for Blues coach Brad Fittler as the visitors try to prevent the State of Origin shield remaining in Queensland’s grasp for another year on Wednesday night with the Maroons raging hot favourites to take down the beleaguered Blues.

After their inspiring 26-18 win in the series opener in Adelaide last month, the Maroons have only had to make three injury-enforced changes to their line-up while NSW have also had a few players sidelined while a couple more have been dropped.

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NSW centre Latrell Mitchell was ruled out last week due to his calf problem, replaced again by Stephen Crichton, while Blues forward Cameron Murray (groin) was passed fit after a strong effort at training on Sunday.

Slater had been coy when asked if Cotter would start . “I’m not sure, that’s an option for us,” he said on Tuesday. “Jeremiah plays on that right edge, so he’s in some great touch. He has obviously had some time off (with suspension), but the game he came back for (with the Cowboys) he had a lot of energy about his footy, so we have some options there.

“(Cotter) is quite versatile. I have see Reuben play a bit of dummy-half, too.”

Here is how each team will line up for Wednesday night’s 8pm kick-off at Suncorp Stadium.

How they’ll line up

NSW Blues

1. Fullback – James Tedesco (captain)
Age: 30
Origins: 20
Origin tries: 7
Tedesco would have been filthy with himself for being exposed defensively in Game I but the skipper rarely has two quiet Origin games in a row. He’ll take on a lot of work with the ball again but expect renewed intensity without it.

2. Winger – Brian To’o
Age: 24
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 3
It’s easy to forget that To’o’s stocky physique once had pundits questioning whether he would be able to cut it at Origin level. He’s now one of the first names on the team sheet, and will be primed for another night of marking up on a taller body in Xavier Coates.

3. Centre – Stephen Crichton
Age: 22
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 1
Again called in to deputise for the injured Latrell Mitchell. Was a stand-out in the series opener, helping to solidify his reputation as one of the best big-game players in the league.

4. Centre – Tom Trbojevic
Age: 26
Origins: 9
Origin tries: 9
The 2021 Man Of The Series didn’t have the blockbusting Origin return the Blues were hoping for. Expect him to go looking for the football more in Game II, just as he does playing fullback at club level for Manly.

5. Winger – Josh Addo-Carr
Age: 27
Origins: 13
Origin tries: 10
The usually explosive Addo-Carr was starved of opportunities in Game I but that could change with new halfback Mitch Moses calling the shots from inside. His pace is a point of difference and the Blues must take advantage of it.

Jarome Luai. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

6. Five-eighth – Jarome Luai
Age: 26
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 2
Solid in the series opener, Luai overcame speculation he would be dropped following a hamstring injury to Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary. Expect him to send plenty of attention Reece Walsh’s way after their dust-up in Game I.

7. Halfback – Mitchell Moses
Age: 28
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
All eyes are on Moses after he beat Nicho Hynes and Adam Reynolds to replace Nathan Cleary at halfback. The Eels playmaker is playing his first Origin game since 2021 and his long kicking game and dynamic ball-running make him a fitting fill-in for Cleary.

8. Prop – Junior Paulo
Age: 29
Origins: 10
Origin tries: 0
Brad Fittler typically deploys Paulo from the bench but the big man is a master at setting the tone at club level for Parramatta, so won’t struggle with the new brief.

17. Hooker – Reece Robson
Age: 25
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
The second of Brad Fittler’s debutants for Game II, replacing reigning Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes. He has come into the starting side at the 11th hour.

10. Prop – Payne Haas
Age: 23
Origins: 10
Origin tries: 0
Suncorp Stadium has been the scene of so many of his masterful performances for Brisbane. The challenge for Haas is replicating that level of intensity in the State of Origin arena.

Tyson Frizell. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

11. Second Row – Tyson Frizell
Age: 31
Origins: 15
Origin tries: 3
His recall for Game I turned out to be the best of Fittler’s changes from 2022. Came close to barging over for a first-half try and will ask plenty of questions on the Blues’ right edge.

12. Second Row – Hudson Young
Age: 25
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
The only one of the three Game I debutants to hold onto his spot. Struggled to inject himself in the series opener but his match-up with the returning Jeremiah Nanai looms as an intriguing one.

13. Lock – Isaah Yeo
Age: 28
Origins: 9
Origin tries: 0
Assumes vice-captain duties in the absence of Nathan Cleary, a role that will bring out the best in the stoic Yeo. He has the important role of providing the link between new halves pairing Jarome Luai and Mitch Moses.

14. Interchange – Stefano Utoikamanu
Age: 23
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
After two years on the fringes, the Wests Tigers prop comes in for an Origin debut at the expense of Tevita Pangai jnr. He’s a gentle giant off the park, but Utoikamanu will be eager to test himself against the higher-profile Queensland middles.

15. Interchange – Cameron Murray
Age: 25
Origins: 11
Origin tries: 1
Overcame a groin injury just in time to line up and add some vital experience to the Blues’ bench. He and Liam Martin bring versatility to the forward rotation, capable of playing on the edge or in the middle.

Liam Martin. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

16. Interchange – Liam Martin
Age: 26
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 1
A concussion suffered last week has meant Martin will miss contact training until Tuesday as part of the NRL’s 11-day stand-down policy. But with the physicality he demonstrated in Game I, that shouldn’t be too much of an issue for the Penrith enforcer.

9. Interchange – Damien Cook
Age: 31
Origins: 15
Origin tries: 2
An injury to Api Koroisau brings Cook back to the fold after missing his first Origin game of Brad Fittler’s tenure. Fittler has reverted to his plan of carrying two hookers in his 17 so NSW should be better-placed to match Queensland’s ruck speed this time around.

18. Reserve – Matt Burton
Age: 23
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 1
Burton’s ability to line up in the halves, outside backs or second row at a pinch make him the ideal replacement player.

Queensland Maroons

1. Fullback – Reece Walsh
Age: 20
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
With electric speed and a style that has verve and vivaciousness written all over it, Walsh appears set for a long career for Queensland. The Brisbane No.1 is studying the art of fullback play under Maroons great Billy Slater, and the mentor’s wisdom has clearly rubbed off. 

2. Winger – Xavier Coates
Age: 22
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 2
Known as ‘X’ by his teammates there is no doubt Coates provides X-factor to his wing play. Standing at 194cm, Coates the Melbourne flyer is adept at getting above any opponent thanks partly to his triple-jump background.

3. Centre – Valentine Holmes
Age: 27
Origins: 14
Origin tries: 11

Holmes is the supreme athlete who can turn a game with his ability to sniff an opportunity and take it. Has great balance and when he runs is adept at setting up his supports inside and out like the class centre he is.

4. Centre – Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Age: 21
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 3
The man known as ‘Hammer’ certainly nailed NSW in game one in Adelaide with a dazzling two-try display. While recognised for his attacking flair, Tabuai-Fidow has not missed a tackle in two Origin games and is a physical presence as well as a graceful athlete.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

5. Winger – Murray Taulagi
Age: 24
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
The North Queensland speedster is a powerful force on the edge and can run around and over opponents. Taulagi missed last year’s series decider with COVID and can’t wait to play at Suncorp Stadium in Origin for the first time. 

6. Five-eighth – Cameron Munster
Age: 28
Origins: 16
Origin tries: 3
Munster is the player NSW fears the most and rightly so, given he’s turned series and games on their heads with his own brand of magic. The Melbourne playmaker is well on his way to becoming one of Queensland’s all-time greats.

7. Halfback – Daly Cherry-Evans (captain)
Age: 34
Origins: 20
Origin tries: 2
The most experienced player in the side, Cherry-Evans is now fourth on the all-time list of the Maroons’ most capped skippers. Respected by his teammates and opponents alike, the veteran had his best game ever in last year’s series decider. On the cusp of leading Queensland to three series wins out of the last four.

15. Prop – Tom Flegler
Age: 23
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
Flegler oozes aggression and menace on the field but has found a way to channel it so that he gives away fewer penalties than in the past. Provides the fear factor and intimidation that is perfect for Origin football.

9. Hooker – Ben Hunt
Age: 33
Origins: 15
Origin tries: 3
The controversy surrounding Hunt’s future at St George Illawarra won’t have one iota of an impact on how he plays for Queensland. The veteran has a knack of coming up with a big play when needed, as he did in last year’s decider. Provides leadership and guile.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

10. Prop – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Age: 23
Origins: 10
Origin tries: 0
The Gold Coast captain is set for a 30-plus game career in the Maroons jersey if he maintains the form he’s shown as a young man. It is frightening to think he is four or five years away from when props are traditionally at their best. Physically brutish and mentally strong.

11. Second-row – David Fifita
Age: 23
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 0
Fifita, who suffered a head knock and was then temporarily moved to the centres in game one, is the kind of player capable of breaking an Origin game wide open. In the best and most consistent form of his career and has the raw skill and power to turn a close game.

16. Second row – Reuben Cotter
Age: 24
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
Can play 80 minutes if required and will fill any position the coach asks him to. Cotter was man of the match in Adelaide in game one where he slotted into the second-row and tackled and ran all night. The ultimate team man, built for Origin.

13. Lock – Patrick Carrigan
Age: 25
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 0
Last season was the best of Carrigan’s career, when he was Wally Lewis Medal winner as player of the series in his debut State of Origin. Not one to rest on his laurels, Carrigan is a better player this year and more dangerous in attack, with his judiciously-deployed offload.

14. Interchange – Harry Grant
Age: 25
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 1
The Melbourne rake is coming off a red-hot display against Cronulla in club football. Quick across the ground and between the ears, Grant is a master at finding a tired forward and making them pay on the scoreboard. Has a well-honed combination with Munster.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow celebrates scoring a try with teammates. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

8. Interchange – Lindsay Collins
Age: 27
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 0
The Sydney Roosters prop is one of the first picked for the Maroons. Game one in Adelaide this year showcased why, when he came up with a huge play to catch a bomb and set up the match-sealing try in the final minutes. As strong in the last minute as he is in the first.

12. Interchange – Jeremiah Nanai
Age: 20
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 0
Played volleyball and basketball as a youth, where he honed his leaping and rare aerial skills for a forward. Nanai is a try-scoring specialist and a superb hole runner who gives the Maroons an extra attacking threat on the edges.

17. Interchange – Moeaki Fotuaika
Age: 23
Origins: 4
Tries: 0
Earned a recall for the first time since 2021 on the back of stellar form for the Gold Coast. Fotuaika is one of those no-nonsense props who runs hard and tackles harder. Relishes the gritty style of football that is an Origin staple.

18. Reserve – Corey Horsburgh
Age: 25
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
Horsburgh is on stand-by and the perfect candidate if required due to his versatility, where he can play on an edge or in the middle. The redhead is a cult figure in Canberra, where he breathes fire in wholehearted displays. Suited to Origin, he will no doubt have his chance soon enough.