Tom Gilbert will make his Queensland debut in the home state decision as Billy Slater was reluctant to make radical changes to the Brisbane clash.
Key points:
- Jordan McLean replaces Payne Haas for NSW while Tom Gilbert replaces Felise Kaufusi for Queensland
- Haas played for the Broncos over the weekend, but was ruled out of the Origin dispute
- The third and decisive Origin match will be played in Brisbane on July 13th
With experienced second row rower Felise Kaufusi unavailable for family reasons, the Maroons coaches have called up the North Queensland striker.
Gilbert’s Cowboys teammate Jordan McLean will make his New South Wales debut with Jack Wighton named on the bench and Payne Haas missing due to injury.
Haas, who has been battling a joint AC problem all season, played the Broncos’ 40-26 loss to the Cowboys on Saturday.
Since then, he has aggravated the injury again and will not take part in the decisive one on 13 July.
McLean was part of the expanded staff of Origin II, but has yet to win NSW honors, despite winning eight games for Australia.
The Blues equalized the record in Perth, and took us to a decisive match three in Brisbane. (Getty Images: Mark Kolbe)
Gilbert has been named on the exchange bench, with his cowboy teammate Jeremiah Nanai promoted to the starting lineup in Kaufusi’s absence.
Maroons coaches have also added another Cowboy to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and emerging Sydney Roosters player Sam Walker to the roster, effectively replacing Corey Oates and Reece Walsh.
The Maroons were dominated in a 44-12 defeat at Perth last Sunday, where they had a chance to seal the series after a 16-10 victory at Sydney.
However, Slater resisted any urge to play with his backpack or youth baseline for the Lang Park clash.
Josh Papalii starts again in the front row. Wingers Murray Taulagi and Selwyn Cobbo have retained their places, while rear rower Nanai has a chance to start after two quiet games from the bench in this series.
Cameron Munster (shoulder) and Kalyn Ponga (concussion) have been named after losing their clubs ’matches over the weekend.
Queensland:
Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai, Murray Taulagi, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans (cap), Lindsay Collins, Ben Hunt, Josh Papalii, Kurt Capewell, Jeremiah Nanai, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Jai Arrow, Patrick Carrigan. Reservations: Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler, Tom Dearden, Beau Fermor, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Sam Walker
NSW:
James Tedesco, Brian To’o, Matt Burton, Stephen Crichton, Daniel Tupou, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, Jordan McLean, Apisai Koroisau, Jake Trbojevic, Cameron Murray, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Damien Cook, Angus Crichton, Junior Paulo, Siosifa Talakai. Reservations: Jack Wighton, Niches Hynes, Clint Gutherson, Jacob Saifiti, Reece Robson
AAP
Posted 4 hours, 4 hours ago, Monday, July 4, 2022 at 1:20 AM, updated 3 hours ago, 3 hours ago, Monday, July 4, 2022 at 1:46 AM