Key events
NSW XVII
Brad Fittler was forced into a huge decision when Nathan Cleary’s hamstring pinged, and he has overlooked the merits of Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes and Suncorp specialist Adam Reynolds, in favour of Eels halfback Mitchell Moses. Hynes misses the squad altogether, making way for Reece Robson to offer more versatility in the pack off the bench. He will dovetail at hooker with the recalled Damien Cook. Cameron Murray and Liam Martin were under injury clouds in the build up but both have been passed fit.
Fittler is backing his Blues to rebound from their disappointment in Adelaide, especially skipper James Tedesco who was shown up by Roosters clubmate Lindsay Collins late on. “I think the moment at the end of the game was most probably embarrassing for him and embarrassment is a pretty good motivator,” Fittler said.
NSW: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Brian To’o, 3 Stephen Crichton, 4 Tom Trbojevic, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Junior Paulo, 17 Reece Robson, 10 Payne Haas, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Hudson Young, 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 14 Stefano Utoikamanu, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Liam Martin, 9 Damien Cook
IN: Mitchell Moses, Damien Cook, Stefano Utoikamanu, Reece Robson
OUT: Nathan Cleary, Tevita Pangai Junior, Api Koroisau, Nicho Hynes
Queensland XVII
Billy Slater has been forced into three changes due to injury. In the pack, Jai Arrow and Tom Gilbert are replaced by Jeremiah Nanai and Moeaki Fotuaika, while out wide Xavier Coates comes in for Selwyn Cobbo.
“We have had to make a few changes through injury, so it’s not as if we are just rolling out the same side again,” Slater said during the week. “We have got the new boys up to speed and we’ve just tried to apply ourselves at training. It’s been a good week.”
Queensland: 1 Reece Walsh, 2 Xavier Coates, 3 Valentine Holmes, 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5 Murray Taulagi, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans, 15 Tom Flegler, 9 Ben Hunt, 10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11 David Fifita, 16 Reuben Cotter, 13 Pat Carrigan.
Interchange: 14 Harry Grant, 8 Lindsay Collins, 12 Jeremiah Nanai, 17 Moeaki Fotuaika
IN: Moeaki Fotuaika, Jeremiah Nanai, Xavier Coates
Out: Jai Arrow, Selwyn Cobbo, Tom Gilbert
As Nick Tedeschi writes, tonight’s clash could be the defining game in Brad Fittler’s coaching career.
The Blues have started favourites in every one of Fittler’s games since he took over in 2018, yet the coach is 8-8 over that time with two series losses. He has been strongly criticised for some questionable selections decisions – Josh Addo-Carr’s omission in 2022 was widely disparaged – and admitted prior to this year’s series opener that he was taking some unnecessary risks. Those risks did not pay off.
Preamble
Jonathan Howcroft
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of State of Origin Game 2 between Queensland’s Maroons and New South Wales’s Blues. Kick-off at Suncorp Stadium is not before 8.05pm (AEST).
Three weeks ago the Maroons did what the Maroons do and demonstrate that Queensland is not a place but a state of mind. Unfancied and outplayed for much of Origin I, Billy Slater’s mob turned it on when it mattered to take a series lead to fortress Suncorp.
The narrative since Adelaide has been all about the Blues. NSW selection, strategy, and execution have all been questioned. Why have so many key players underperformed so often? How do they fail repeatedly to get over the line when it matters? Whereto now for Brad Fittler?
Changes were demanded of the Blues but Fittler’s plans have been thrown into disarray with two cruel injury blows. Halfback Nathan Cleary has been ruled out of the remainder of the series with a hamstring injury, while Latrell Mitchell, the man expected to provide the spark, has not yet fully recovered from the complaint that ruled him out of the series opener. In their own ways each are impossible to replace and not what Fittler needed heading to a venue where his side has lost twice as much as it has won.
Queensland are not without their own issues, but they have not come with the same psychodrama. The risk for the Maroons tonight is how they cope with the unfamiliar status of favourites – expected to seal a third series in four years – when their trademark footy has emerged with their backs against the wall.
If you want to get in touch at any point you can always send me an email or pop a tweet to @JPHowcroft. On with the show.
