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Maroons v Blues: Grant to start; Luai in for Moses
The Queensland Maroons are desperate to keep the Ampol State of Origin series alive when the contest shifts west to Perth for Game Two.
The Westpac NSW Blues claimed a hard-fought 18-6 win in Game One at Suncorp Stadium last month, with Payne Haas laying the platform up front.
The battle between the two packs will likely shape the second contest, with Blues rookie Max King promoted to the starting side in place of the injured Mitch Barnett.
Stefano Utoikamanu has been added to the bench in the only change to the squad.
Queensland coach Billy Slater has opted for a team overhaul as he looks to spark his side.
Tom Dearden has been tasked with the primary playmaking duties after replacing former captain Daly Cherry-Evans, while Kurt Capewell has come straight into the starting side to provide punch up front.
History is against the Maroons, with the side losing both games played at Optus Stadium but Slater is confident his team can flip the script in Western Australia.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Team News
Maroons: Billy Slater has resisted the urge to start Harry Grant on the bench, with the Maroons to line-up 1-17 as named. Slater made the biggest call of his coaching career by cutting captain Daly Cherry-Evans and replacing him with Tom Dearden at halfback and Cam Munster as skipper. Kurt Capewell has been recalled and will start in the back row, with Jeremiah Nanai shifting to the bench and Beau Fermor dropping out of the squad. Kurt Mann makes his Origin debut in jumper No.14, while Trent Loiero is set to start at lock for the first time. Pat Carrigan has moved to the interchange as a result. Outside backs Val Holmes and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have also traded places, with Holmes shifting to centre and Tabuai-Fidow out to the wing. Ezra Mam is 18th man.
Blues: Jarome Luai will reunite with Nathan Cleary in the NSW halves after Mitchell Moses was ruled out. Luai was called into the Blues camp on Thursday and will play five-eighth alongside Cleary at Perth's Optus Stadium after Moses suffered a calf injury at training. The Wests Tigers star played all three matches of last year's series, partnering Cronulla's Nicho Hynes in the opening game and Moses in Origin II and III as the Blues triumphed 2-1. Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu comes on to the bench, with Max King shifting to the starting side after Mitch Barnett suffered a knee injury. Matt Burton is the 18th man. No late changes before kick-off.
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 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Maroons is number 2 Xavier CoatesWinger for Blues is number 2 Brian To'o
-
Centre for Maroons is number 3 Robert ToiaCentre for Blues is number 3 Stephen Crichton
-
Centre for Maroons is number 4 Valentine HolmesCentre for Blues is number 4 Latrell Mitchell
-
Winger for Maroons is number 5 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowWinger for Blues is number 5 Zac Lomax
-
Five-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Blues is number 6 Jarome Luai
-
Halfback for Maroons is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for Blues is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Maroons is number 8 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Blues is number 8 Max King
-
Hooker for Maroons is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Blues is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Maroons is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiProp for Blues is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Reuben Cotter2nd Row for Blues is number 11 Liam Martin
-
2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Angus Crichton
-
Lock for Maroons is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Blues is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Blues is number 14 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 15 Lindsay CollinsInterchange for Blues is number 15 Spencer Leniu
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 16 Jeremiah NanaiInterchange for Blues is number 16 Hudson Young
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 17 Patrick CarriganInterchange for Blues is number 17 Stefano Utoikamanu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Maroons is number 18 Ezra MamReplacement for Blues is number 18 Matt Burton
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Historically after claiming Game One in Brisbane the Blues have gone on to win seven series (1985, 1986, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2014) and lose only three (1982, 1987, 2017).
- Kurt Mann will become the oldest player to debut for the Maroons since Arthur Beetson in 1980.
- New South Wales hold a 2-0 advantage in Origin matches played at Optus Stadium in Perth.
- The Blues are aiming for four consecutive wins for the first time since 1996-97.
- Maroons winger Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored nine tries in eight Origin matches. He scored at least one try in his first six Origin matches.
- Since Origin became a three-game series in 1982, the state that has lost the first game has come back to win the series just 11 times (out of 42).
- Queensland's Cameron Smith holds the record for most Origin games with 42, followed by fellow Maroon Johnathan Thurston on 37.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
