The NSW Blues will be looking to level the series when they take on the Queensland Maroons for Game Two of the 2022 State Of Origin series in Perth.

Match details

Who: New South Wales Blues vs Queensland Maroons

When: Sunday 26 June 7.50pm AEST

Where: Optus Stadium, Perth WA

Weather: Min 7 Max 20. Chance of rain 10%

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Head-to-head record:

• Match wins: QLD 65 – 54 NSW. 2 draws
• Series wins: QLD 22 – 16 NSW. 2 drawn series

2022 State of Origin Game Two teams

*denotes Origin debut

NSW Blues

The Blues have surprisingly made several changes to their 17, with Freddy Fittler making a statement after his side only narrowly lost in Game One.

Canberra star Jack Wighton was the Blues’ best player in the series opener, but has unfortunately been ruled out with COVID, while Kotoni Staggs, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Ryan Matterson and Tariq Sims have all been dropped.

Stephen Crichton has been moved from the bench into the centres, with his former Panthers teammate Matt Burton named to make his debut as the other centre.

Api Koroisau becomes the seventh Panther in the Blues’ starting 13, with Damien Cook shifting to the bench.

After being surprise omissions for the opener, experienced duo Jake Trbojevic and Angus Crichton come back into the side, while Cronulla star Siosifa Talakai will make his debut off the bench and offers the Blues some versatility.

Queensland Maroons

Billy Slater has stuck with the players that got in done for Queensland in Game One, with his only changes due to injury.

Winger Xavier Coates was injured during the opener and has been replaced by debutant Murray Taulagi who has been in outstanding form at club level for the Cowboys.

After a brilliant 80-minute performance in his Origin debut in Game One, Reuben Cotter has suffered a hamstring strain and will likely miss the final game of the series as well. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui moves to lock with Lindsay Collins to start in the front row and Jai Arrow coming onto the bench.

Game One recap

The first game was played at a typically fast pace that saw Queensland claim a 16-10 win in a State of Origin classic.

NSW started the game well and got the first try on the board thanks to a close-range effort from Wighton, before Queensland hit back before half-time after some magic from Selwyn Cobbo to set up Dane Gagai.

The Maroons looked like running away with the game in the second half after tries to Daly Cherry-Evans and Valentine Holmes gave them all the momentum and a 12-point lead.

To the Blues credit, they continued to fight and a try to Cam Murray with 8 minutes to go cut the lead to six. Isaah Yeo looked set to tie the scores on the last play but was dragged down by some desperate Queensland defence as the final siren went.

Cameron Munster was named man of the match after another stellar display for Queensland with 198 run metres and seven tackle breaks, while making the Blues defence look silly with a line break. He also came up with a couple of huge defensive plays, including a one-on-one strip on Stephen Crichton late in the game.

Holmes was also brilliant for the Maroons with his effort to get back and scoop up a kick one of the great Origin try-saving moments. Carrigan was tremendous in his Origin debut and made an immediate impact when he came off the bench.

Slater’s tactic to start Ben Hunt and bring Grant off the bench worked a treat, with Grant’s injection once the sting came out of the game helping to shift momentum.

For the Blues, Wighton was their best player with 184 run metres, two line breaks and some big shots in defence.

Tedesco was brilliant as always and really came into the game over the last 25 minutes, looking dangerous every time he touched the ball.

Other than Murray, their bench struggled with Paulo, Matterson and Crichton unable to have a significant difference on the result which may be why Fittler has opted for Cook and Talakai on the bench for Game Two.

Last 5 Game Two matches and Perth history

• 2021 Game Two: Maroons 0 – 26 Blues at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
• 2020 Game Two: Blues 34 – 10 Maroons at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
• 2019 Game Two: Maroons 6 – 38 Blues at Optus Stadium, Perth
• 2018 Game Two: Blues 18 – 14 Maroons at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
• 2017 Game Two: Blues 16 – 18 Maroons at ANZ Stadium, Sydney

The Blues have a terrific recent record in the second match of the series having won the last four Game Two’s straight.

The team trailing has won three of the last five Game Two’s.

There has only been one Origin match in Perth that was won easily by the Blues in 2019. However Queensland went on to win the series at Suncorp Stadium in Game Three, the same location as the final game of the 2022 series.

Pre match predictions

Teddy bares all: James Tedesco to get a bit cheeky as his shorts fall down while being tackled and to also score a try. Blues by 6.

Murray Magic: Murray Tualagi to produce a stunning try assist similar to the one in Magic Round earlier this year.

Happy Koroisau: Api will make Brad Fittler happy with naming him to start, getting at least one try assist. Queensland by 2. – Denholm Samaras

Bench Press: Pat Carrigan to repeat his Game One heroics off the bench with 150+ run metres. – Denholm Samaras

Have any pre match predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments down below.

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