New South Wales will be desperate to keep the State of Origin series alive when they take on Queensland in Game II.
In the opening match, the Maroons capitalised on a Joseph Suaalii send-off in the opening minutes to pile on the points with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow the main beneficiary as he bagged a hat-trick in the 38-10 bloodbath.
So, attention now turns to the MCG where the Blues will attempt to keep the series alive in the do-or-die clash.
Michael Maguire endured a miserable introduction into Origin footy. But the coach has made a number of changes as NSW chase the victory.
Take a look at the updated team lists for Game 2 of the 2024 State of Origin series below:
Queensland Maroons confirmed team list for Game 2
1. Reece Walsh
2. Xavier Coates
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Reuben Cotter
9. Ben Hunt
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Jaydn Su'A
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Harry Grant
15. Moeaki Fotuaika
16. Felise Kaufusi
17. Kurt Capewell
18. Dane Gagai
Maroons team news:
Reece Walsh lasted just seven minutes of the Origin opener before he copped a sickening high shot from Suaalii that saw him sidelined for the rest of the contest.
The Broncos fullback missed his club's two games in between Origin matches but has been named regardless by Slater.
Murray Taulagi has been named to start on the wing after recovering from a shoulder issue he sustained in Origin I.
Ben Hunt crossed for the first try of the match in Game I after combining with Daly Cherry-Evans around the ruck and is likely to start at the MCG ahead of Harry Grant.
J'maine Hopgood suffered injury issues while backing up for the Eels after Origin I and has been ruled out. Felise Kaufusi has been named as his replacement for Game II.
Jeremiah Nanai is under an injury cloud for the clash after struggling with a calf complaint while in camp.
Selwyn Cobbo's made way on the bench, with Kurt Capewell taking the utility role.
Dane Gagai – who played 22 games for the Maroons between 2015 and 2022 – is the 18th man.
New South Wales Blues confirmed team list for Game 2
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Brian To’o
3. Stephen Crichton
4. Latrell Mitchell
5. Zac Lomax
6. Jarome Luai
7. Mitch Moses
8. Jake Trbojevic
9. Reece Robson
10. Payne Haas
11. Liam Martin
12. Angus Crichton
13. Cameron Murray
14. Connor Watson
15. Isaah Yeo
16. Haumole Olakau’atu
17. Spencer Leniu
18. Mitchell Barnett
Blues team news:
Dylan Edwards has been re-included following a late withdrawal from Game I due to a quad injury he picked up in training. James Tedesco drops out as a result.
Joseph Suaalii endured a horror debut in the opener, becoming the sixth player in Origin history to be sent from the field.
In his absence, Latrell Mitchell has earned a recall at left centre after being on fire in recent weeks, picked over the likes of Bradman Best and Jesse Ramien.
Mitch Moses has been picked over Nicho Hynes at halfback, with Jarome Luai to stay as five-eighth.
Jake Trbojevic was only used for 30 minutes across two stints in the middle after being named skipper but will remain in the forward pack.
Reece Robson played the entire opener at hooker and came up with some big defensive plays, keeping Api Koroisau at bay.
Liam Martin will return from an ankle issue he picked up in Origin I, although he is now struggling with a toe injury.
Cameron Murray made his return from injury last week and has forced his way into the side, pushing Cameron McInnes into the reserves.
Connor Watson is set to start from the bench, with Matt Burton and Hudson Young both missing out.
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