After a courageous victory in Game I as underdogs, New South Wales head into the second game at ANZ Stadium perfectly positioned to finally end Queensland’s eight year Origin dominance.

Whilst their attack was good and asked plenty of questions of the Queensland defence, it was NSW gritty determination in defending their own line which ultimately won them the game. At one stage in the second half, NSW were defending for ten of fourteen sets and produced five try-saves for the match.

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Match Info:

The new halves pairing for NSW, Canterbury’s Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds, wisely didn’t overplay their hands, knowing that outside of them they had plenty of speed in the likes of Jennings, the Morris brothers and fullback Jarryd Hayne.

Hayne, who was named man-of-the-match and playing at fullback for the first time since 2010’s game II, was in brilliant form and threatened the Queensland defence with every touch of the ball.

He’ll again be the one that NSW centre their attack around and the player Queensland will have to shout down but in his current form, as Queensland’s Johnathan Thurston freely admitted last week, is easier said then done.

NSW have been forced to make several changes for Game II with Parramatta’s Will Hopoate and the Dragons’ Josh Duggan coming on the wing and in the centres respectively, to cover for the Morris brother’s absences with injury.

Both have Duggan and Hopoate have Origin experience and whilst neither are playing in their preferred position, both are quality players who will do the job.

Coming into the forwards after serving suspension is Greg Bird. Bird will be chomping at the bit and coming into this game fresh, in front of his home-crowd with an Origin series win on the line, expect him to be heavily involved.

Bird bolster’s an already strong forward pack for the Blues and with another four forwards named on the bench, they’ll be no excuses for them up-front.

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QLD

After 5 minutes of Game I, it was all going to plan for the Queensland side with Darius Boyd crossing for the first of his two tries, taking his tally to six tries from his last five Origin matches.

But only another five minutes later, the script went out the window when Queensland’s halfback and General Cooper Cronk, left the field with a broken arm.

Cronk’s absence had an immediate impact on QLD who didn’t appear as sharp in attack as when he was on the field directing traffic. Combined with some uncharacteristic poor handling and errors, Queensland allowed NSW to gain the upper hand and found themselves behind at the half-time break for the first time in six matches played at Suncorp.

Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans who replaced Cronk in Game I will be much better for having had the experience after only playing a handful of minutes in a support role in last year’s series. He’ll also be able to head into this game with a different mind-set, knowing he’ll be the starting half and that’ll prove invaluable.

Unfortunately for QLD, the casualty ward has continued to fill since the players returned to their Club sides after the first match. Corey Parker will be missing from the squad for Game II with a face fracture and injury clouds hover low over key players Billy Slater and Greg Inglis.

Coach Meninga named a twenty-one man squad when the team went into camp last week as those recovering from injuries will be given until the last possible minute to prove their fitness but, with the Origin and Queensland reign on the line, expect them all to take their place.

It hasn’t been an ideal preparation for Queensland but worth remembering, the lead up wasn’t smooth sailing for the Blues heading into Origin I either with plenty of off-field distractions.

Queensland thrives on being the underdog and has plenty of big game experience, having won the last three series deciders so don’t expect them to be flustered by the occasion.

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WRAP

NSW’s stronger defence has been the key to them bridging the gap. Starting from 2009, Queensland have scored a series total points of 85, 58, 51 and last year, 44.

If NSW man-up in defence as they did in Game I, they have the ability via their outside backs to score the points required to come out on top.

Should NSW are successful on Wednesday night, it will be the first time since 2007/2008, where they won the last and first game of the respective series, that they have won consecutive Origin games.

They’ve won three of their last four at ANZ with the only loss during that time being last year’s series decider, 10 – 12.

That result meant that Queensland’s last three wins in Sydney, have been by a margin of no greater than five points.

Queensland went close to pulling off another miracle in Game I and will need not to much different to turn the tables.

Expect another close, low scoring game – Game 2 has been the lowest scoring match four of the past five series.

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First Try Scorer  NSW; Michael Jennings ($11.00) and Will Hopoate ($11.00)
QLD; Darius Boyd ($10.00) and Billy Slater ($15.00)

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In the news:

NSW will be looking to Alex McKinnon for some inspiration as they attempt to break Queensland’s eight-year State of Origin stranglehold on Wednesday night.

The Newcastle forward will be at ANZ Stadium for game two to support the Blues, nearly three months after suffering a serious neck injury in a match against Melbourne.

NSW assistant coach Matt Parish said there was no doubt McKinnon’s presence would provide a “massive” boost to his side.

“Alex has been an inspiration to everyone in the NRL, to see how he is recovering and how he’s taken on the adversity that he has,” Parish told reporters on Wednesday morning.

“His story, what he’s been through, lifts everyone.

“The way he’s handled it, and the way his family have in the way they’ve stuck together.”

After a relaxed game day breakfast, the Blues enjoyed a few competitive games of table tennis and PlayStation at their Homebush hotel before their traditional morning walk to the former Olympic stadium.

“It is a long day, so the secret is to relax as much as possible,” Parish said.

“It’s easy for us to say ‘relax’ – it’s a massive game tonight, which we all know.

“But they all seem in good spirits and they’ve all said they’ve slept well which is good. Our preparation has been great, so we’re ready to go.”

Parish refused to accept NSW were the favourites after winning the opening game. He said he also took no solace in the fact Queensland playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans may not be 100 per cent fit despite being cleared to play on Tuesday.

“It wouldn’t matter who they put on the park, they’re a great team and that’s why they’ve had the results they’ve had,” he said.

“We’re coming against a championship team who are going to be desperate.

“But can I say this: we’re very desperate too. We haven’t won a series eight years in a row and this is our chance.

“Us playing at home tonight is a massive factor in our favour, but it counts for little by the time the ball is kicked off.

“It’s then up to the players to react to the crowd and to the energy that they’re going to supply.”