Nate Myles will miss State of Origin Game 2 following the knee injury he suffered in Manly’s loss to Penrith on Sunday, with Jacob Lillyman in as his replacement.
Lillyman was Queensland’s first choice to come in for Cooper Cronk when there were concerns about his fitness going into Game 1, and now gets his chance, replacing Myles.
“He [Myles] had some scans earlier today and those scans showed some damage,” said Maroons coach Kevin Walters.
“Our doctor was of the belief that Nate won’t be fit enough to take the field on Wednesday week, which is very sad news for Nate and the Queensland team. But it opens up an opportunity for Jacob to come in from the New Zealand team.
“He was 18th man in Game One and now he gets his opportunity to throw on that Maroons jumper and do it proud.”
Lillyman has represented Queensland in State of Origin on 11 previous occasions, making his debut in 2006 but playing only sporadically until recent years. He played all three matches in 2015.
The team is otherwise unchanged with no more concerns regarding Cooper’s ankle, and Michael Morgan overcoming a concussion suffered in Game 1.
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The Maroons bested the Blues in Game 1 in a low-scoring affair, winning 6-4 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. Matt Gillett was named man of the match.
The Maroons now have a chance to clinch the series when they host the Blues at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane next week on Wednesday June 22.
Queensland Maroons team for State of Origin Game 2:
1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Justin O’Neill, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Johnathan Thurston, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Matt Scott, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Jacob Lillyman*, 11. Matt Gillett, 12. Sam Thaiday, 13. Corey Parker