The return of Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray on Friday night has given NSW coach Michael Maguire a welcome headache as he prepares to announce the Blues side for Origin II at the MCG.
Murray, who was expected to remain sidelined for another week or more with a hip injury, would have been a serious contender to captain the Blues in last week’s series opener if he had been fit.
In an indication of how highly regarded the Rabbitohs skipper is by Maguire, who handed him his NRL debut in 2017, Murray joined the NSW camp in the Blue Mountains along fellow injured stars Nathan Cleary and Tom Trbojevic.
Yet the forwards aren’t an area that Maguire was expected to change after the 38-10 loss at Accor Stadium, with a new centre needed to replace the suspended Joseph Sua'ali'i and the halfback and fullback roles under most scrutiny.
The make-up of the bench is another area expected to be reviewed as the Blues did not have a back to cover for the Sua'ali’i’s eighth minute send off for a high shot on Queensland fullback Reece Walsh.
If Murray comes through the match against Brisbane unscathed, he is almost certain to be selected and given he can play middle or edge, either Hudson Young or Haumole Olakau'atu appear most likely to make way.
It is also possible both could lose their spots if Maguire opts for an outside back or a utility, such as Connor Watson, on the interchange.
Fullback
- Incumbent: James Tedesco
- Contender: Dylan Edwards
Maguire made one of the biggest selection calls in Origin history when he axed NSW captain James Tedesco for the perennially in-form Dylan Edwards as fullback.
However, he had to recall the Roosters skipper after Edwards suffered tightening in his quad while doing extras after the final session in the Blue Mountains on the Saturday before Origin I.
Many were wondering what would happen in Origin II if Tedesco then turned in a man-of-the- match performance, but Edwards is almost certain to be given a second chance to debut if he makes a successful return for Penrith on Sunday.
Wingers
- Incumbents: Brian To'o, Zac Lomax
Centres
- Incumbents: Joseph Suaali’i and Stephen Crichton
- Contenders: Matt Burton, Latrell Mitchell, Bradman Best, Jesse Ramien, Kotoni Staggs
Suaali'i is suspended so the Blues need to find a new centre but it doesn’t matter what side they prefer as Stephen Crichton can play either side.
Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell is an obvious choice as he is a game breaker every team needs at the top level but Maguire has a raft of options, including Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton, who has played centre for NSW previously but has been 18th man in three of the past four Origins.
Cronulla’s Jesse Ramien has been in career best form and revealed after his side’s defeat of Brisbane that Maguire had been in contact with him, while Newcastle’s Bradman Best performed well on debut in the third game of last year’s series and is again fit.
Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs is another option and has Origin experience.
Halves
- Incumbents: Jarome Luai and Nicho Hynes
- Contenders: Matt Burton, Mitchell Moses, Cody Walker, Luke Keary
Like Murray, Mitchell Moses was likely to have been picked for Origin I if fit, so he is expected to win the nod over Nicho Hynes as the Blues halfback.
Moses was the NSW halfback in the final game of last year's series, won by the Blues, with Cody Walker the five-eighth.
If Mitchell and Murray are in the team, Walker's combination with them could help his cause but Jarome Luai has been in top form for Penrith and performed strongly for NSW in Origin I.
Burton is more likely to be considered as a centre or on the bench but is in fine form for the Bulldogs at five-eighth and could come into the halves with Luai moving to halfback, where he has been playing for Penrith with Nathan Cleary sidelined.
Luke Keary was in the 20-man squad for Origin I and trained in place of Hynes early in the camp.
Forwards
- Incumbents: Jake Trbojevic, Reece Robson, Payne Haas, Angus Crichton, Liam Martin, Cameron McInnes
Interchange
- Incumbents: Isaah Yeo, Haumole Olakau’atu, Hudson Young, Spencer Leniu
- Contenders: Cameron Murray, Matt Burton, Connor Watson, Mitch Barnett, Api Koroisau.
Spencer Leniu made a huge impact off the interchange in his Origin debut, while Isaah Yeo is vice-captain and one of the most experienced players in the squad.
Yeo played a prop’s role during Penrith’s match against Manly last weekend and could do so in Origin, while Murray can play middle or edge.
The selection of Murray reduces the need for other backrowers on the interchange, while the loss of Sua'a’li’i was the third time in four matches that NSW have been caught short after not selecting a back on the bench.
If Burton isn’t selected at centre, he would be an option for a bench spot, while Connor Watson can cover fullback, five-eighth, halfback, lock and hooker.
The Sydney Roosters utility was under consideration by Maguire before suffering a throat injury and returns at hooker on Saturday night against the Eels.
Koroisau would add some spark off the bench out of dummy half but with Cameron McInnes in the side there isn't the need for another hooker.
Mitch Barnett was in the 20-man squad for Origin I but wasn't required and there probably isn't a spot for him in Melbourne either.