The 2020 State of Origin teams are going to be a long time in the making after the series was postponed until November.

That gives coaches Kevin Walters and Brad Fittler an entire – albeit shortened – NRL season to pick their teams. And with the three games being played on consecutive Wednesday nights, we’re likely to see a more squad-based selection than the usual team of 17 plus a couple of reserves which has been the norm in previous years.

While the series is still months away, we’ve already had a few hints about who may be in the selection frame.

Nathan Cleary, who played in the opening two matches last year for the Blues before missing Game 3 due to injury, didn’t do his chances any favours by breaching social distancing measures ahead of the season restart. While admitting there’s a long time between Cleary’s breach and Game 1 on November 4, Fittler said the Penrith halfback had put his spot in the side “in jeopardy”.

While Cleary could still well be picked, Fittler will have to make changes to his halves pairing of Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney who led NSW to their Game 3 win in 2019. Maloney has left Australia for Catalans Dragons in the Super League, so a new five-eighth will need to be found. Roosters playmaker Luke Keary is the man most likely to claim the no.6 jersey after helping the Roosters to back-to-back premierships.

One player who won’t be lining up in 2020 is Maroons legend Greg Inglis. While Origin’s leading try-scorer has come out of retirement to play for Warrington in the English Super League and Walters has said he could return to the Queensland set-up, an Allan Langer-style comeback for Inglis won’t be possible until 2021, when he’s available for selection once again.

2019 State of Origin teams

Game 3

Queensland
The Maroons were dealt an Origin 3-eve blow with experienced second rower Matt Gillett being ruled out of the decider through injury. The Brisbane veteran failed to finish Queensland’s Friday training session on account of a groin injury, one he wasn’t able to overcome in time for Game 3.

With Gillett out of the side, Ethan Lowe started in the second row, despite speculation that David Fifita might have been moved into the run-on side. Fifita remained on the bench in the no.17 jersey.

In another late change, Michael Morgan was moved from centre to the bench utility role, with Moses Mbye into the starting side. Morgan played at centre in the first two games of the series, but had played off the bench in Origin before.

With Kalyn Ponga out of Origin 3 with a calf injury, the Maroons had earlier been forced into a reshuffle for the decider.

Ponga was replaced in the squad by debutant Corey Norman, but the St George half lined up at five-eighth instead of being a straight swap at fullback.

Cameron Munster, who wore the no.6 jersey in the first two games of the series, played at fullback.

Kevin Walters also swung a couple of changes to the Queensland forward pack, with Christian Welch making his debut after being part of the extended squad for their Game 2 loss, and Joe Ofahengaue drafted straight back in after missing Game 2 through injury.

Jarrod Wallace, who was ordinary off the bench in Game 2, was dropped along with Dylan Napa. Napa was brought back into the squad as a reserve following Gillett’s injury.

The rest of the pack, including Game 2 inclusion Tim Glasby, was retained, as was hooker Ben Hunt despite calls for the latter to be replaced.

New South Wales
After naming an unchanged side for Origin 3, NSW coach Brad Fittler was forced into two alterations due to suspension and injury.

There was considerable doubt over the fitness of halfback Nathan Cleary, with the Penrith youngster ultimately ruled out and replaced by maligned Newcastle half Mitchell Pearce.

Tariq Sims wasn’t able to play in the decider after being found guilty of grade one dangerous contact by the NRL judiciary. The Blues bench forward was initially handed a grade two charge following a high tackle on Michael Morgan during the Dragons’ Round 15 match against North Queensland and while it was downgraded, he was unable to successfully plead not guilty.

David Klemmer made his Origin comeback in Sims’ place, having missed the Perth encounter through injury. Rather than a direct replacement on the bench though, Klemmer started Origin 3 in the front row alongside club teammate Daniel Saifiti.

Paul Vaughan was shifted to the pine to start on the bench despite having the no.10 on his back, just as he did in Game 2.

Other than that, the Blues went into the decider with the same side. James Tedesco, Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Wighton, Tom Trbojevic and Blake Ferguson formed the unchanged outside backline, whith James Maloney once again the five-eighth.

In the forwards, Saifiti lined up alongside Klemmer in the front row, with Damien Cook at hooker, Jake Trbojevic at lock, and Tyson Frizell and captain Boyd Cordner in the second row.

Dale Finucane, Cameron Murray and Wade Graham joined Vaughan on the bench, while Clint Gutherson was the 18th man.

Game 2

New South Wales
After the Blues’ Game 1 loss, Brad Fittler made seven changes to his side for Origin 2 in Perth.

The biggest surprise was the axing of centre Latrell Mitchell, who put in a poor performance during Game 1, but still was expected to be selected. Josh Morris has also been dropped. The New South Wales backline took another bump with Raiders winger Nick Cotric also missing through a syndesmosis injury he sustained in Round 14.

Their replacements have been named as Blake Ferguson on the wing, while Game 1 utility Jack Wighton and Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic form the new centre pairing. Wighton hasn’t played at centre in the NRL since 2014, while Trbojevic, who starred on the wing last year before missing Game 1 with a hamstring injury, has only played four games in the position for his career.

It was appearing likely that Mitchell Pearce would make his Origin return in Perth, however, the Knights halfback was ruled out on the morning of selection with a hip injury.

Brad Fittler still chose to drop Cody Walker, with James Maloney coming into the Blues squad to reprise his series-winning halves partnership with Nathan Cleary.

Fittler was been forced into more changes in the forwards, as David Klemmer (broken wrist) and Payne Haas (hamstring strain) were ruled out with injury.

Knights prop Daniel Saifiti has come in as a surprise selection in the front row, while Dale Finucane joins the bench for the Blues in place of Haas.

The Blues have also added Tariq Sims to the bench as the effective replacement for Mitchell (with Wighton going into the centres), while Wade Graham, who has only had two games back in first grade since returning from a long injury lay-off, replaces the dropped Angus Crichton.

The Blues made a late change to the structure of the side: pushing Jake Trbojevic to the front row, Dale Finucane into the starting side at lock, and Daniel Saifiti to the bench.

Ryan Matterson and Clint Gutherson are the two Blues reserves.

James Tedesco was named vice-captain of the side.

Queensland
Queensland have cut their changes for Origin 2 to just two forced ones after winning the series opener.

Joe Ofahengaue (leg) and Jai Arrow (ankle) have been ruled out of the side for Game 2, and both are unlikely to return for Game 3, too.

The Maroons have moved Dylan Napa from the bench to the front row, while 18th man Tim Glasby earns a promotion to the bench. He’s joined by the recalled Jarrod Wallace on the pine. Napa is under some doubt for Game 2 with a broken wrist, although all reports indicate he will be right to play despite the injury.

Maroons players Dane Gagai (virus), Daly Cherry-Evans (ankle), Kalyn Ponga (calf), Dylan Napa (wrist) have all been in doubt to take their spot in the lineup, but the latest reports suggest they’ll all likely be able to play.

Amazingly, Moses Mbye is set to play despite having gone through a near-death experience just two days ago, experiencing anaphylactic shock because of an as-yet-unknown allergic reaction.

Christian Welch, Edrick Lee and Corey Norman were initially named to join the extended squad, although Lee pulled out with a leg injury.

Game 1

Queensland Maroons
The Maroons will head into 2019 with a revamped backline thanks to the absences of Billy Slater (retirement), Greg Inglis (retirement) and Valentine Holmes (NFL). Newcastle young gun Kalyn Ponga has replaced Slater at fullback, while Corey Oates and Dane Gagai have retained their place on the wings.

Given a lack of backline depth for Queensland, it’s hardly a surprise to see Will Chambers placed straight into the centres, while Michael Morgan – who has played in the halves and as a utility previously – will be played in the centres.

The biggest selection question heading in was the fitness of Daly Cherry-Evans, however, he has been picked in the halves alongside Cameron Munster, who was always going to be first picked. Not only has Cherry-Evans earned selection, but he’s also been named as the side’s captain.

The headache of hooker will be answered in the form of St George Illawarra Dragons half Ben Hunt, while Moses Mbye plays off the bench as a utility option. It means the Maroons go into Game 1 without a recognised hooker.

Josh Papalii and Jai Arrow will line up in the front row, while familiar faces Felise Kaufusi, Matt Gillett and Josh McGuire round out the starting pack.

There is plenty of youth on the Queensland bench, with David Fifita and Joe Ofahengaue both listed to make their debuts in the State of Origin cauldron, while Dylan Napa has been selected. Tim Glasby is the 18th man.

New South Wales
Brad Fittler will take five debutants into Game 1, 2019, keeping with the ‘Baby Blues’ approach which served New South Wales so well last year. Rabbitohs duo Cody Walker and Cameron Murray, Canberra pair Nick Cotric and Jack Wighton and Brisbane youngster Payne Haas are the five uncapped players in the squad.

Boyd Cordner will once again captain the side from the second row, where he’ll be joined by lock Jake Trbojevic and St George Illawarra’s Tyson Frizell. Although Frizell sustained a concussion in his last game before the team announcement, he says he’ll be right to play.

Rounding out the forwards in the squad are props David Klemmer and Paul Vaughan, who are likely to start in the front row, Roosters second rower Angus Crichton, and rookies Haas and Murray. The two debutants are likely to start on the bench with Crichton, with Wighton expected to fill the bench utility role.

Nathan Cleary has kept his place as the side’s halfback despite a tricky start to the year with Penrith, although the youngster’s selection case was helped by injuries to fellow no.7 contenders Adam Reynolds and Mitchell Pearce.

Walker was also a beneficiary of an injury, this time to Luke Keary. The Roosters star was expected to be picked at five-eighth, only to be ruled out with concussion days before the squad was announced, paving the way for 29-year-old Walker’s selection.

James Tedesco, Josh Addo-Carr and Latrell Mitchell have all, as expected, kept their places at fullback, wing and centre respectively. Veteran centre Josh Morris will partner Mitchell, and Cotric looks set to make his debut on the wing.

2018 State of Origin teams

Game 3

Queensland Maroons

1. Billy Slater (c), 2. Valentine Holmes, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Will Chambers, 5. Corey Oates, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Jai Arrow, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Josh Papalii, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Felise Kaufusi, 13. Josh McGuire, 14. Ben Hunt, 15. Jarrod Wallace, 16. Coen Hess 17. Tim Glasby

18th man: Christian Welch

» Expert reaction: Injuries blow Queensland’s plans out of the water

Queensland did the most un-Queensland of things and made a raft of changes to their side for Game 3, some due to injury, some due to form. Kalyn Ponga, who was sensational on his Origin debut in Game 2, and Greg Inglis were the most notable injured absentees, Ponga with a hamstring strain and Inglis with a broken thumb.

Inglis’ injury meant Billy Slater captained the side from fullback in his final ever appearance in the Origin arena.

With Inglis out, Dane Gagai shifted from the wing to the centres, where he partnered Will Chambers, and Broncos winger Corey Oates started out wide opposite Valentine Holmes.

Ben Hunt, who had a shocker of a Game 2 performance, was demoted to the bench utility role, with the previously unfavoured Daly Cherry-Evans coming into the side. He started alongside five-eighth Cameron Munster in the halves.

Jai Arrow and Josh Papalii, both of whom started from the bench in Games 1 and 2, were promoted to the run-on side in the front row alongside hooker Andrew McCullough, but the back row of Gavin Cooper, Felise Kaufusi and Josh McGuire remained unchanged.

Joining Hunt on the bench were Jarrod Wallace, Coen Hess and Tim Glasby, the latter of whom replaced Dylan Napa in the 17. Napa had originally been named as Queensland’s 18th man, however a knee injury forced the prop from the side. Melbourne Storm front-rower Christian Welch took his place in the squad.

New South Wales Blues

1. James Tedesco, 2. Tom Trbojevic, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. James Roberts, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Tyson Frizell, 15. Jake Trbojevic, 13. Jack de Belin, 14. Tariq Sims, 16. Angus Crichton, 17. Tyrone Peachey

18th man: Ryan James

The Blues made just a couple of tactical alterations for Game 3, Tariq Sims coming in for Matt Prior in the only change to the side which won the Origin shield in Game 2 in Sydney. Boyd Cordner overcame some injury doubts to line up in the final match of the series, while Brad Fittler made one extra late change, starting Jake Trbojevic at lock and moving Jack de Belin to the bench.

With no injuries or form concerns for Fittler to worry about, he went with the same backline for all three games – James Tedesco, Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell, James Roberts and Tom Trbojevic – as well as an identical halves pairing of James Maloney and Nathan Cleary.

The only changes the Blues made came in the forwards. Matt Prior replaced the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard in Game 2, but the Sharks veteran was overlooked for Game 3 after making his debut.

Paul Vaughan took Prior’s place in the starting front row alongside fellow prop David Klemmer and hooker Damien Cook, while Tariq Sims made his Origin debut from the bench. Angus Crichton and Tyrone Peachey both kept their place on the pine, while Prior has fallen out of the match-day 17.

Game 2

The State of Origin teams for Game 2 of the series saw NSW make just one change to their side, Matt Prior in for the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard, while the return of Billy Slater and injury to Michael Morgan led to a Queensland reshuffle.

New South Wales won the match 18-14 at ANZ Stadium, and therefore the series.

New South Wales Blues Origin 2 team news

Blues Game 2 line-up
1. James Tedesco, 2. Tom Trbojevic, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. James Roberts, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Matt Prior, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Tyson Frizell, 13. Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14. Paul Vaughan, 15. Jake Trbojevic, 16. Angus Crichton, 17. Tyrone Peachey.

Reserves: Ryan James, Tariq Sims, Luke Kearey

» New South Wales Blues Origin 2 team: expert reaction

NSW’s strong performance in Game 1 would usually have led to an unchanged team, however, a broken jaw for Reagan Campbell-Gillard led to 31-year-old Matt Prior getting a debut place in the squad.

Prior was the shock inclusion to the original 20-man squad, replacing Campbell-Gillard, who missed the rest of the Origin series. Fellow reserve forwards Ryan James and Tariq Sims were also in the mix for Campbell-Gillard’s spot, but were overlooked for Prior. Both forwards, as well as Roosters half Luke Kearey, stayed with the squad until gameday.

James Maloney and Latrell Mitchell both had injury concerns, but were given the thumbs up on their fitness.

Queensland Maroons Origin 2 team news

Maroons Game 2 line-up
1. Billy Slater, 2. Valentine Holmes, 3. Greg Inglis (c), 4. Will Chambers, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Dylan Napa, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Jarrod Wallace, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Felise Kaufusi, 13. Josh McGuire.

Interchange: 14. Kalyn Ponga, 15. Josh Papalii, 16. Coen Hess, 17. Jai Arrow.

Reserves: 18. Tim Glasby

» Queensland Maroons Origin 2 team: expert reaction

Queensland made a couple of changes to their side, with fullback Billy Slater, who was a late withdrawal from Game 1 due to a hamstring injury, making his return.

The superstar fullback hadn’t played for the Storm since being withdrawn from Origin, but started Game 2 at ANZ Stadium.

Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga made his debut from the bench, filling in at lock during the game. He is expected to be the Maroons first choice fullback in 2019.

Slater’s fill-in from Game 1, Michael Morgan, was ruled out of Game 2 and the remainder of the NRL season after injuring his bicep during Round 15 when he was playing for the North Queensland Cowboys against the New Zealand Warriors in Townsville.

The bench utility in Game 1 of the series, Anthony Milford, was also been left out of the Queensland squad.

Despite some concern over an ankle injury, Dylan Napa was named and took his place in the starting side.

Melbourne Storm prop Tim Glasby, who made his Origin debut last year, was called up to the squad as 18th man.

Game 1

Queensland Maroons Origin 1 team news

Maroons Game 1 squad
1. Michael Morgan (Billy Slater), 2. Valentine Holmes, 3. Greg Inglis (c), 4. Will Chambers, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Dylan Napa, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Jarrod Wallace, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Felise Kaufusi, 13. Josh McGuire.

Interchange: 14. Anthony Milford, 15. Josh Papalii, 16. Coen Hess, 17. Jai Arrow.

» Queensland Maroons Origin 1 team: expert reaction

The Maroons battled some serious injury issues before Origin 1. Billy Slater was ruled out with a hamstring injury, but star winger Dane Gagai made the starting team despite carrying a dislocated finger. Michael Morgan started at fullback in Slater’s place, with Anthony Milford stepping into the utility role on the bench.

Josh McGuire missed plenty of footy for the Broncos with an ankle injury, and there were question marks over the fitness of new halfback Ben Hunt, with Milford running plays for the Maroons in their first week of training. However, both were passed fit to play in Game 1.

Greg Inglis was named as the new captain of the Queensland Maroons, taking over as the side’s skipper following the shock representative retirement of Cameron Smith a few weeks out from the series opener. Inglis was also coming back into the squad after missing all of the 2017 series with injury.

Kevin Walters’ side for Game 1 featured three debutants: hooker Andrew McCullough, who replaced Smith in the number 9 jersey, and forwards Jai Arrow and Felise Kaufusi. Josh McGuire was named at lock, starting the game after overcoming an ankle injury which plagued him in the weeks leading up to the squad announcement.

Ben Hunt and Cameron Munster formed the new halves combination for the Maroons following the rep retirements of Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, and the side went with a left-field goalkicking in winger Valentine Holmes.

Gagai lined up on the wing for the Maroons opposite Holmes, and Inglis was partnered by Will Chambers in the centres, meaning there was no room in the squad for Darius Boyd.

Up front, Jarrod Wallace and Dylan Napa were the starting props, with veteran metre-eater Matt Scott overlooked to make his comeback after missing last year’s series due to injury, while Kaufusi, McGuire and Gavin Cooper started in the back row.

Anthony Milford was named as Queensland’s bench utility, and he was joined by Josh Papalii, Coen Hess and Arrow in the reserves.

To go with the retirements of Smith, Thurston and Cronk, Slater also announced 2018 will be his last series in a Maroon jumper, with the champion fullback set to pull the pin on his representative career.

Blues Game 1 squad
1. James Tedesco, 2. Tom Trbojevic, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. James Roberts, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Tyson Frizell, 13. Jack de Belin.

Interchange: 14. Paul Vaughan, 15. Jake Trbojevic, 16. Angus Crichton, 17. Tyrone Peachey.
18th man: Tariq Sims
19th man: Nick Cotric

» New South Wales Blues Origin 1 team: expert reaction

There was barely a surprise when the Blues team was formally announced for Game 1, after their 17 for the series opener was leaked the evening before the official announcement.

The Blues, under new coach Brad Fittler, made plenty of changes for the series, with New South Wales attempting to turn around three straight series losses by naming a record 11 debutants for the opener at the MCG.

All of Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, James Roberts, Josh Addo-Carr, Nathan Cleary, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Damien Cook, Jack de Belin, Tyrone Peachey, Paul Vaughan and Angus Crichton were handed debuts.

James Tedesco, who started at fullback, was among the surviving members of the team, with James Maloney the only other in the back seven to back up from last year.

Up front, David Klemmer, Tyson Frizell, Jake Trbojevic and captain Boyd Cordner survived the axe.

Of the biggest changes, Nathan Cleary joining Panthers teammate Maloney in the halves was the most notable. The youngster was into just his third season at NRL level and sat out for two months with injury early in the season, but Fitler saw enough to include him.

The other member of the spine was South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Damian Cook, who won the race for the number nine jersey with St George’s Cameron McInnes missing out.

In the backline, wingers Josh Addo-Carr and Tom Trbojevic made their debuts at the MCG, with Trbojevic impressing despite playing out of position ahead of Canberra boom youngster Nick Cotric. They were joined in the centres by Latrell Mitchell and James Roberts.

Jack de Belin and Paul Vaughan were the only two players to make the 17 out of the Dragons pack, with the former starting at lock ahead of Jake Trbojevic, who came from the bench. Vaughan started on the pine alongside utility Tyrone Peachey and Angus Crichton.

Starting up front were Reagan Campbell-Gillard and David Klemmer, and there were familiar faces in the second row with Tyson Frizell to join the skipper.

The Blues also named two back-up options as injury cover, with Dragons second-rower Tariq Sims included alongside the aforementioned Cotric in the 19-man squad. However, with NSW injury-free before the match, neither player was needed for Game 1.

State of Origin 2017 teams
The 2017 State of Origin teams for the third game of the series were announced on Monday, July 3, and Queensland evidently got the better of the selections, the Maroons cruising to a 22-6 win in Game 3 to claim the Origin shield.

2017 State of Origin Game 3 teams

Queensland Maroons

Queensland Maroons side for State of Origin Game 3
1. Billy Slater, 2. Valentine Holmes, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Michael Morgan, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Dylan Napa, 9. Cameron Smith (capt), 10. Jarrod Wallace, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Josh McGuire.

Interchange: 14. Ben Hunt, 15. Josh Papalii, 16. Coen Hess, 17. Tim Glasby.

18th man: Felise Kaufusi.

» Queensland Maroons side: expert reaction

New South Wales Blues

New South Wales Blues side for State of Origin Game 3
1. James Tedesco, 2. Brett Morris, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Jarryd Hayne, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. James Maloney, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Andrew Fifita, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Josh Jackson, 13. Tyson Frizell.

Interchange: 14. David Klemmer, 15. Wade Graham, 16. Jake Trbojevic, 17. Jack Bird.

18th man: Jack de Belin.

» Blues team for Game 3: Expert Reaction

The Queensland Maroons were forced to make two changes from the side that won Game 2, with both Johnathan Thurston (shoulder, season) and Darius Boyd (broken thumb, six weeks) ruled out through injury. In their place were two debutants; Ben Hunt of the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm utility Cameron Munster.

In a somewhat surprising selection move, Munster was named to start at five-eighth, pushing Morgan out to the centres. While the move gave Queensland an all-Melbourne Storm spine of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Munster, it put Morgan up against Josh Dugan despite having never played an NRL game in the centres.

Slater was under some doubt for the decider with an ankle injury, but was cleared to play ahead of kick-off.

The Blues named the same 17 for the third time this series, going through an entire Origin year unchanged for the first time since 1996. This was in spite of a number of injury concerns around the squad.

Skipper Boyd Cordner had been battling a calf injury since Game 2. Similarly, Dragons pair Tyson Frizell (rib cartilage) and Josh Dugan (corked thigh) were in doubt before suiting up on game day, and James Tedesco, who hadn’t played for the Wests Tigers since tweaking his ankle in Origin 2, also maintained his spot in the starting side.

Jack de Belin was named as 18th man for the Blues despite carrying a minor injury of his own.

Game 3 result: The Queensland Maroons have won Origin 3 22-6, sealing their 11th series win since 2005 with a 2-1 victory across the three games this year.

2017 State of Origin Game 2 teams

New South Wales Blues

New South Wales Blues team for State of Origin Game 1 2017
1. James Tedesco, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Jarryd Hayne, 5. Brett Morris, 6. James Maloney, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Andrew Fifita, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Boyd Cordner (c), 13. Tyson Frizell

Interchange: 14. David Klemmer, 15. Wade Graham, 16. Jake Trbojevic, 17. Jack Bird

18th man: Matt Moylan
19th man: Trent Merrin
20th man: Tom Trbojevic

» Blues team for Game 2: Expert Reaction

Queensland Maroons

Queensland Maroons team for State of Origin Game 2 2017
1. Billy Slater, 2. Valentine Holmes, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Darius Boyd, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Johnathan Thurston, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Dylan Napa, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Jarrod Wallace, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Josh McGuire

Interchange: 14. Michael Morgan, 15. Josh Papalii, 16. Coen Hess, 17. Tim Glasby

18th man: Cameron Munster

» Maroons team for Game 2: Expert Reaction

Queensland made seven changes to the side that went down in the first game of the series, naming four debutants – Valentine Holmes, Coen Hess, Tim Glasby and Jarrod Wallace – to face the Blues.

The Maroons also brought back a number of players with Origin experience for the must-win match: North Queensland’s Gavin Cooper, as well as the vastly experienced Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater. Slater’s selection pushed Darius Boyd to the vacant centre spot with Dane Gagai keeping his position on the wing opposite Holmes.

Of the seven omissions from the Game 1 team, only one – Anthony Milford – was forced by injury. The remaining six – backs Corey Oates and Justin O’Neill and forwards Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Aidan Guerra and Jacob Lillyman – were all unforced changes that selectors opted to make.

On the other hand, the Blues, for the first time in 21 years, named an unchanged team for State of Origin 2, with coach Laurie Daley opting to name the same 17 that pulled off a surprising 28-4 victory in Game 1 of the series.

As such, James Tedesco was named fullback, with Brett Morris and Blake Ferguson on the wings. Jarryd Hayne and Josh Dugan were named in the centres, while Mitchell Pearce became the Blues’ most-capped halfback in Origin history. He was be partnered by James Maloney in the halves.

Up front, hooker Nathan Peats was joined by Aaron Woods and Andrew Fifita in the front row. Boyd Cordner captained the side from the second row, where he was joined by Tyson Frizell and Josh Jackson.

Jack Bird, Jake Trbojevic, David Klemmer and Wade Graham were named on the bench, while Matt Moylan, Jack De Belin and Tom Trbojevic were the extra men named in the squad. However, with De Belin unable to overturn a one-match suspension for dangerous contact in the week leading up to Origin 2, Trent Merrin as rushed into the NSW squad as 19th man.

2017 State of Origin Game 1 teams

Queensland Maroons

Queensland Maroons team for State of Origin Game 1 2017
1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Justin O’Neill, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Dylan Napa, 9. Cameron Smith (C), 10. Nate Myles, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Josh McGuire.

Interchange: 14. Michael Morgan, 15. Sam Thaiday, 16. Aidan Guerra, 17. Jacob Lillyman.

18th man: Jarrod Wallace.

» Maroons team for Game 1: Expert Reaction

New South Wales Blues

New South Wales Blues team for State of Origin Game 1 2017
1. James Tedesco, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Jarryd Hayne, 5. Brett Morris, 6. James Maloney, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Andrew Fifita, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Boyd Cordner (c), 13. Tyson Frizell

Interchange: 14. David Klemmer, 15. Wade Graham, 16. Jake Trbojevic, 17. Jack Bird

18th man: Matt Moylan
19th man: Jordan McLean
20th man: Jack De Belin

» Blues team for Game 1: Expert Reaction

For the Maroons, some notable exclusions from the team in Game 1 were Billy Slater, in what coach Kevin Walters said was “the hardest decision I’ve had to make”, and Johnathan Thurston, who was ruled out of the series opener after failing to overcome a shoulder injury sustained during the Anzac Test against New Zealand.

Thurston’s unavailability for Game 1 meant his streak of 36 straight Origin matches came to an end.

Anthony Milford made his Queensland debut at No.6 in place of Thurston and Dylan Napa was also been named for the Maroons for the first time to start in the front row.

The first casualty of the 2017 series was Greg Inglis who was ruled out for the season. Inglis suffered a knee injury in the Rabbitohs’ opening round clash against the Tigers, tearing his ACL and putting him out of action before the season barely started.

A mainstay in Queensland’s Origin side, Inglis will miss the entire series for the first time in his state representative career. He has only missed a total of three games across the 11 series that have been played since making his debut for the Maroons in 2006.

Cowboys stalwart Matt Scott has also been ruled out of the 2017 series after the veteran’s 14th season in the NRL was cut short in just his second game. Scott went down in the Cowboys’ 21-20 golden-point win over the Broncos and scans confirmed a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

For New South Wales, Boyd Cordner was announced as the new Blues captain for the first game of the 2017 series, while Mitchell Pearce returned to the side after spending last year’s series in the Origin wilderness. Pearce lined up with former club teammate and incumbent playmaker James Maloney in the halves.

With Paul Gallen retiring from the representative scene at the end of the 2016 season, Cordner was announced as the new captain ahead of Aaron Woods, who attended the State of Origin launch alongside coach Laurie Daley earlier in the year.

Cordner was part of a strong looking New South Wales back row, with Josh Jackson lining up on the other edge and Tyson Frizell playing at lock.

Robbie Farah and Michael Jennings were the key casualties from the 2016 series, with their respective representative careers looking over.

Nathan Peats was one of only two Blues players on debut in Game 1, replacing Farah at hooker, while youngster Jake Trbojevic made his first appearance from the interchange bench.

James Tedesco made his second Origin appearance at fullback, while new Cronulla Sharks recruit Josh Dugan retained his spot in the centres alongside a returning Jarryd Hayne.

Blake Ferguson is another to keep his spot in the squad, playing outside Dugan on the wing in what has been a successful combination for the Australian national team, while veteran Canterbury Bulldogs winger Brett Morris lined up on the other wing.

Aaron Woods overcame an injury to book his spot in the front row and started the game alongside Andrew Fifita.

Jake Trbojevic was joined on the bench by utility Jack Bird, who made a solid start to his Origin career in 2016, along with Wade Graham and front-rower David Klemmer.

Matt Moylan, who played in the halves during a victorious Game 3 effort in 2016, was relegated to 18th man, joined by Jordan McLean and Jack De Belin as the extras in the Blues squad.