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.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
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.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Maroons is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Blues is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Maroons is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Blues is number 2 Blake Ferguson
-
Centre for Maroons is number 3 Michael MorganCentre for Blues is number 3 Tom Trbojevic
-
Centre for Maroons is number 4 Will ChambersCentre for Blues is number 4 Jack Wighton
-
Winger for Maroons is number 5 Dane GagaiWinger for Blues is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Blues is number 6 James Maloney
-
Halfback for Maroons is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Blues is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Maroons is number 8 Dylan NapaProp for Blues is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
-
Hooker for Maroons is number 9 Ben HuntHooker for Blues is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Maroons is number 10 Josh PapaliiProp for Blues is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
-
2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Blues is number 11 Boyd Cordner
-
2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Matt Gillett2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Tyson Frizell
-
Lock for Maroons is number 13 Josh McGuireLock for Blues is number 14 Dale Finucane
Interchange
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 14 Moses MbyeInterchange for Blues is number 10 Paul Vaughan
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 15 Jarrod WallaceInterchange for Blues is number 15 Tariq Sims
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 16 Tim GlasbyInterchange for Blues is number 16 Cameron Murray
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 17 David FifitaInterchange 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).
