New South Wales v Queensland
SQUADS: Betfred Super League - 2024 Round 9
10 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
PREVIEW: State of Origin Game II
2019 series on the line as Origin hits the Wild West.
After nine previous games played on neutral turf in Melbourne, rugby league's showpiece will leave the Eastern seaboard for the first time since an exhibition game was taken to Long Beach, California following the 1987 series.
Optus Stadium, Perth is the impressive new venue that opened its gates in January 2018 and has quickly forged a reputation of generating an electric atmosphere in some big cricket and AFL matches over the past 18 months. With an expected sell-out crowd for Sunday night's clash and a reported firm and fast surface, game two sets up as another cracking game of Origin football.
Queensland Coach Kevin Walters has made only the two injury forced changes to his line-up after going one up in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium. Dylan Napa has been promoted off the bench to replace Jai Arrow in the front-row with the in-form Jarrod Wallace earning a recall filling Napa's place on the pine. The ever reliable Tim Glasby also earns a recall, coming in for Joe Ofahengaue who suffered a deep cut to his leg in game one.
Walters will be revving his troops up to be on song from the opening whistle after they were a touch slow out of the blocks in game one. Despite creating a number of chances, they're attack was a little clunky in the opening forty and their renowned line-speed in jamming the Blues on their own line didn't come into play until the second half.
Blues Coach Brad Fittler has come into a lot of criticism for making a mass seven changes (three of them injury forced) to the team that was beaten by just four points in game one.
David Klemmer, Nick Cotric and Payne Hass were all ruled out through injury, whilst Angus Crichton, Cody Walker and centre duo Josh Morris and Latrell Mitchell were axed in the biggest mid-series shakeup in almost a decade.
Daniel Saifiti (prop), James Maloney (five-eighth), Blake Ferguson (wing), Jack Wighton and Tom Trbojevic (both centre) come into the starting team, whilst Tariq Sims, Dale Finucane and Wade Graham shape a new-look interchange.
As shocked as most people are by the changes, they really shouldn't be. Anyone who knows the persona and character of the man so affectionately known as ‘Freddie', was never going to be the conservative type of Coach and you can make a case for just about every selection call he's made.
Whilst it was a tough call to leave Walker out after just one game in the Origin furnace, the inclusion of Maloney makes perfect sense. A renowned winner, Maloney has had success wherever he's gone and his experience in a must win match will prove vital. He'll also take a lot of pressure off Nathan Cleary and his underrated support play will benefit the likes of James Tedesco and Damien Cook who were lethal in game one, but were also left hanging at times with no one in support.
One of the real head-scratchers was the inclusion of Saifiti who is averaging well under 100 run metres per match. His job will be kept fairly simple - play with all the raw aggression he has for the opening twenty minutes all so before the likes of Sims and Finucane come on to rip and tear through the middle third.
Also coming off the bench, the inclusion of Graham was a no-brainer. The most complete back-rower in the game has looked in fine touch in his two games back from an ACL injury and will look to add his attacking spark on the Blues left edge.
The makeshift centre pairing of Wighton and Trbojevic looms as a risk defensively. The duo will need to be near perfect in their decision making, otherwise the ball-playing of Kalyn Ponga will prove lethal once again.
On the flip side, when you look at the Blues back five as a whole, the inclusion of Wighton, Trbojevic and the recalled Ferguson is a clear indication that carrying the ball out of trouble is an area the Blues have to improve on from game one.
The axing of Latrell Mitchell has been arguably the biggest talking point, but one that simply had to be made.
For far too long, New South Wales players have been guilty of not competing on every play for 80 minutes which is what defines an Origin player. Fittler is driving change in that area and the dropping of Mitchell is a clear indication that if you don't play with them values - you won't be donning the jersey next time round.
Last meeting: Game One 2019 - QLD 18 NSW 14
In another Origin game played at a cracking pace, the Maroons prevailed on the back of a double to man of the match Dane Gagai. The Blues were on top in the opening half, but a kick to the corner from Cherry-Evans shortly after halftime and a lift in intensity defensively turned the momentum in Queensland's favour.
Who to watch: In an ominous warning leading into this game, Maroons pivot Cameron Munster has declared he can only get better despite playing a strong hand in the series opener. It looked like he had spiders on him at times in game one as he bounced away from defenders with his unbelievable strength. There's every reason to think he will get better as his combination with Ponga, Cherry-Evans and Hunt continues to grow. Not just limited to his left edge, he often plays the full field as evidenced in game one when he cut the Blues to shreds working through the centre and eventually down the right in a memorable Origin run. The type of player who thrives in the big moment, don't be surprised if it's Munster who stands up and ices another series victory for Queensland.
He's the type of player the Maroons would have picked years ago and in the words of former Maroons skipper Cameron Smith - Dale Finucane is built for Origin. On the cusp of selection for a number of years, the Melbourne Storm forward will make his long awaited debut in a sky blue jersey on Sunday night and will bring plenty of big match experience with five Grand Final appearances under his belt. The type of player you'd want with you in the trenches, Finucane's willingness to do all the dirty work will be invaluable for the Blues. Never one to be dominated carrying the ball, look for him to be punching holes in the Maroons defensive line all night. An outstanding defender, Finucane is capable of forcing errors with his strong hits where he jams his shoulders around the ball, often knocking it free. There's been some speculation around that he may yet start, either way - expect him to play the house down on debut.
The favourite: Prior to the teams being announced, the Blues were favourites to square the series. The mass amount of Blues changes have changed the market and the bookies currently can't split the two states.
My tip: Expecting another fast and furious Origin encounter here. Like the look of most of the Blues changes, but I can't get past the OUT of David Klemmer. The amount of pressure he absorbs with the ball in hand and the metres he gained were crucial to the Blues strong opening half in game one and it's no coincidence the Blues struggled in the second forty when he was off the park. If the Maroons can get on top through the middle in his absence, their spine of Hunt, Cherry-Evans, Munster and Ponga will continue to flourish. Queensland by 4.
1. James Tedesco 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Tom Trbojevic 4. Jack Wighton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Damien Cook 13. Jake Trbojevic 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Tyson Frizell 14. Dale Finucane 10. Paul Vaughan 15. Tariq Sims 16. Cameron Murray 17. Wade Graham
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Corey Oates 3. Michael Morgan 4. Will Chambers 5. Dane Gagai 6. Cameron Munster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Dylan Napa 9. Ben Hunt 10. Josh Papalii 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Matt Gillett 13. Josh Mcguire 14. Moses Mbye 15. Jarrod Wallace 16. Tim Glasby 17. David Fifita
Referees: Gerard Sutton, Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: Chris Butler, Nick Beashel; Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Ben Galea;