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Blues v Maroons: Origin 2 preview

It's off to Perth for the all-important Origin II, with Optus Stadium serving as a neutral venue after the Maroons claimed the series opener on June 5 at Suncorp Stadium.

The equation is simple: the Blues must win to keep the series alive heading to Sydney for game three, while the Maroons are out to clinch their 12th series in 14 years.

NSW have lost players to injury and made several other changes as they chase the right formula to force the series to a decider.

Queensland have replaced forwards Jai Arrow (syndesmosis) and Joe Ofahengaue (leg injury) with Jarrod Wallace and Tim Glasby.

The Rundown

Team news

Blues: Dale Finucane has been promoted to the starting side at lock with Jake Trbojevic moving to prop and Paul Vaughan to come off the bench. Blake Ferguson, Tom Trbojevic and James Maloney return to the NSW backline along with Jack Wighton, with Daniel Saifiti to start up front. Tariq Sims and Wade Graham are the new inclusions on the bench.

Maroons: No late changes for the Maroons. Tim Glasby and Jarrod Wallace join the Queensland bench in place of injured forwards Jai Arrow and Joe Ofahengaue, with Dylan Napa promoted to the starting side.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Maroons is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
    Fullback for Blues is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Maroons is number 2 Corey Oates
    Winger for Blues is number 2 Blake Ferguson
  • Centre for Maroons is number 3 Michael Morgan
    Centre for Blues is number 3 Tom Trbojevic
  • Centre for Maroons is number 4 Will Chambers
    Centre for Blues is number 4 Jack Wighton
  • Winger for Maroons is number 5 Dane Gagai
    Winger for Blues is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
  • Five-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron Munster
    Five-Eighth for Blues is number 6 James Maloney
  • Halfback for Maroons is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
    Halfback for Blues is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

  • Prop for Maroons is number 8 Dylan Napa
    Prop for Blues is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
  • Hooker for Maroons is number 9 Ben Hunt
    Hooker for Blues is number 9 Damien Cook
  • Prop for Maroons is number 10 Josh Papalii
    Prop for Blues is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
  • 2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
    2nd Row for Blues is number 11 Boyd Cordner
  • 2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Matt Gillett
    2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Tyson Frizell
  • Lock for Maroons is number 13 Josh McGuire
    Lock for Blues is number 14 Dale Finucane

Interchange

  • Interchange for Maroons is number 14 Moses Mbye
    Interchange for Blues is number 10 Paul Vaughan
  • Interchange for Maroons is number 15 Jarrod Wallace
    Interchange for Blues is number 15 Tariq Sims
  • Interchange for Maroons is number 16 Tim Glasby
    Interchange for Blues is number 16 Cameron Murray
  • Interchange for Maroons is number 17 David Fifita
    Interchange for Blues is number 17 Wade Graham

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell

Last updated:

Key match-up

No other game presents multiple mouth-watering match-ups like Origin, but it's hard to go past the battle of the No.9s - Damien Cook v Ben Hunt. Cook shaded James Tedesco as the Blues' best player in game one, while Hunt silenced his critics by sparking the Maroons to victory with a superb second-half display. Cook's the best hooker in the world not named Cameron Smith and Hunt has to pick up where he left off in Brisbane to match it with his hooker rival.

For the Blues to win

After starting so well in game one, the Blues allowed themselves to be run down in the second half. Maybe it wasn't a full-blown choke, but they certainly struggled to handle the pressure when the Maroons, invigorated by deafening hometown support, took control after half-time. Another close contest seems inevitable and Brad Fittler needs to remind his leaders and playmakers to keep the team focused and calm in crunch time.

For the Maroons to win

They were out of sync in the first half of game one but did enough to stay close before stealing the Blues' thunder in the second half for an 18-14 win. Kevvie Walters has his team in the box seat but they can't show up with the same game plan and expect to win. Walters and his play-making trio of Munster, DCE and Morgan have to conjure a couple of new tricks to keep Fittler and his troops guessing.

Stat Attack

Ben Hunt topped the tackle count in game one with 53, while Damien Cook was second with 45. Dane Gagai posted the most run metres (270), with James Tedesco second (254). Kalyn Ponga was instrumental in the 18-14 win, finishing with two try assists, two line break assists, seven tackle breaks and one line break.

And another thing ...

The Blues hold the record for most points in an Origin game with their 56-16 shellacking of the Maroons in Game III in 2000. However, Queensland boast the largest winning margin, which occurred in Game III of 2015 when they roasted the Blues 52-6. Johnathan Thurston holds the record for most consecutive Origin games (36), while Wally Lewis has the most appearances as captain (30). 'King Wally' also holds the record for most man of the match awards (8).

Acknowledgement of Country

Gold Coast Titans proudly acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout South East Queensland.