Will Mitchell Moses return for State of Origin II? Who will replace Blayke Brailey? Who will make way for Payne Haas? And who will fill the void left by Patrick Carrigan?
Exactly how the NSW and Queensland squads for game two will look is uncertain a couple of weeks out from the June 17 clash. And there will likely be even more questions after the next round of NRL footy, as the Blues and Maroons camps reconvene for game two at the MCG.
Some players who featured in the series opener have been ruled out injured, others are under injury clouds, rugby league’s premier front-rower is fit again, and Laurie Daley and Billy Slater may well make unforced changes.
Moses or Strange?
NSW rookie Ethan Strange had a blinder on his Origin debut in Sydney, starring as the Blues ran down the Maroons to win 22-20. Some pundits thought the gun Canberra five-eighth was a more deserving man of the match than halves partner Nathan Cleary, who claimed the award at Accor Stadium.
But whether the raring-hot rookie starts at five-eighth in game two remains to be seen. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Parramatta’s Moses will reclaim the position if fit, having been forced to miss game one with hamstring tightness. However, the Herald reported that prior to Strange’s starring day out against the Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.
Moses won’t line up against Canterbury next Monday afternoon, so if he does turn out for Origin II he will do so having not played in a month. Strange will absolutely get a run in game two, whether in the starting side or off the bench. Former NSW captain Paul Gallen threw up a left-field idea over the weekend, suggesting the 21-year-old gets a crack as a starting centre.
Who replaces Brailey?
In a crushing blow for the Blues rookie and Sharks co-captain, he broke his right arm during Cronulla’s win against Manly last Friday night. Wests Tigers co-captain Api Koroisau is likely the front-runner to replace Brailey. He has experience in the Origin arena and there’s a view that NSW need his elite creativity around the ruck.
Is Daley tempted to start Koroisau and play Roosters rake Reece Robson off the bench? Or will he overlook Koroisau and go with Roosters utility Connor Watson or Warriors hooker Wayde Egan?
Who makes way for Haas?
The superstar Blues and Broncos prop missed game one with a knee injury but is fit again and guaranteed to start in the front row in Melbourne.
Sharks wrecking ball Addin Fonua-Blake and Warriors prop Mitch Barnett were the starting front-rowers in game one. They had similar impact, both making 80-odd run metres from 10 carries each.
It’s likely whoever makes way for Haas doesn’t play at all, given the speed of the modern game and the declining importance of big middle men. There’s also the possibility of both Fonua-Blake and Barnett getting cut, at least from the starting side, with Cameron Murray starting at lock and Isaah Yeo shifting to the front row.
McLean to start?
Panthers young gun Casey McLean was superb for NSW off the bench in game one. In 23 minutes of football, the boom winger/centre made 60 run metres from seven carries and was brilliant under the high ball.
NSW legend Andrew Johns reckons the 20-year-old should start on the left wing at the expense of Manly speedster Tolu Koula.
Will Crichton be fit? And how about Staggs?
The shoulder injury that has hampered Stephen Crichton in Bulldogs and Blues colours could rule out the strike centre from game two, although the Canterbury skipper has been named to face Parramatta in round 14.
Will Koula move to the centres if Crichton isn’t fit, or will the Rabbitohs’ Campbell Graham get a call-up? Graham was unavailable for game one with a calf injury. Superstar South Sydney centre Latrell Mitchell wasn’t available for game one due to a back injury and has also been ruled out of game two.
NSW centre Kotoni Staggs missed Brisbane’s training session on Tuesday, which may have been because of his persistent plantar problem and the heavy workload he’s taken on. He has been named to face the Titans on Saturday night, though.
Who comes in for Carrigan?
The Maroons middle forward is set to miss three to four weeks after suffering an ankle injury during Brisbane’s shock defeat to St George Illawarra on Sunday afternoon.
Raiders firebrand Corey Horsburgh is an obvious candidate to take his place on the bench, although Slater could instead opt for Dolphins stalwart Tom Gilbert or Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika. Another option is going for an edge forward like the Dolphins’ Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. Cowboys gun Reuben Cotter played in the second row in game one but could be used in the middle.
Does Mam keep his place?
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has axed star five-eighth Ezra Mam for Saturday night’s derby against the Titans. Will Slater boot him, too?
Broncos teammate Reece Walsh, Cowboys star Jake Clifford and former Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans are among the creative players who could pinch Mam’s spot on the six-man Queensland bench.
Who replaces Shibasaki?
Slater will also need to find a replacement for Brisbane’s Gehamat Shibasaki, who’s set to miss five to six weeks with a knee injury. Dragons centre Valentine Holmes, who’s starred time and again for the Maroons, could earn a recall. Among the other options are Cowboys star Murray Taulagi and Raiders flyer Xavier Savage.
