'Mind games': Slater's selection shocks have Blues on high alert

Westpac NSW Blues forward Angus Crichton believes the Maroons are playing mind games with their selections while promising to terrorise new halfback Tom Dearden throughout Game Two. 

Coach Billy Slater's decision to replace captain Daly Cherry-Evans with Dearden at halfback has attracted much of the scrutiny, but his other changes have also drawn Crichton's attention.

Slater promoted lock Trent Loiero to the starting side in place of Patrick Carrigan who will begin the match on the interchange. Back-rower Jeremiah Nanai has also been relegated to the bench with Kurt Capewell straight back into the starting side in his Origin recall.

Valentine Holmes and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have also traded places, with Holmes shifting to centre and Tabuai-Fidow to the wing. 

The changes mean Queensland will roll out two new edges for next week's clash at Optus Stadium as they look to keep the series alive. 

The Blues, however, are not reading too far into the published team and are prepared for Slater to spring a gameday switch. 

"Surely Nanai’s not on the bench," Crichton said. "Surely Patty’s not on the bench as well. I think they’re trying to play mind games with us by naming those guys there.

"I can’t see Patty or Jeremiah not starting. He was one of their best last game so they might be trying to play mind games but we’re more focused on ourselves.

"Jeremiah was a point of difference for them on the kick chase and some of his D was good. Then Paddy, he’s won the Wally Lewis Medal before, so it goes without saying [why he should start]."

Dearden's selection will likely see him line up directly opposite Crichton, with the NSW edge forward tasked with turning the halfback's match into a nightmare. 

It's a role Crichton has successfully filled on multiple occasions throughout a seven-year Origin career, his performance to shut down Cherry-Evans in last year's Game Three victory a particular standout. 

Crichton and Dearden linked up for the first time as teammates in last year's Kangaroos squad, with the pair developing a close bond. 

The friendship, however, will be put aside next week, with the NSW forward determined to hound the halfback at Optus Stadium. 

"It’s my job as a backrower to try and terrorise the opposition halfback," Crichton said. "The more I can get into a physical battle with them, the less we see them as a team. 

"It's important you don't go too far that you're not focused on the job as a team of winning but I do like getting in those personal battles. It's not as much as the centre battles, sometimes you see them go one on one, or the front-rowers, [Jared Waerea-Hargreaves] had a few battles back in the day against Sam Burgess.

"But it's different because it's a big guy on a small guy. They've got a lot more speed and a lot more skill than us. I enjoy getting in those physical and personal battles.

"It's a big call for Queensland, he is stepping into the No.7 jersey for the first time, I know he will be able to bring his best. I just have to make sure I am bringing better."

Had the last few years panned out slightly differently, Crichton would be living in Perth rather than preparing to travel west with the NSW Blues.

The forward was on the outer at the Roosters during a challenging 2023 season and came close to signing a deal with the Western Force to play rugby union. 

The turnaround since then has been significant, with Crichton claiming last year's Wally Lewis Medal and earning a new deal with his club after producing career-best form.

While 2023 was one of the toughest years of his life, the forward is pleased to come out the other side and eager to lead NSW to victory in Perth.