HOW NSW SHAPE UP FOR ORIGIN II
Fullback – James Tedesco (captain)
Age: 27
Origins: 11
Origin tries: 5
Takes over as captain after Boyd Cordner’s repeated head knocks. Will skipper a senior side for the first time but must still be an attacking threat at the back.
Winger – Daniel Tupou
Age: 29
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 0
Didn’t have the return to Origin he would’ve liked in Adelaide but is still a big aerial threat for the Blues on the left wing.
Centre – Clint Gutherson
Age: 26
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Maintains his miss on Kurt Capewell in game one was a one-off, and he is well suited to playing out-of-position at centre for NSW.
Centre – Jack Wighton
Age: 26
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 0
Will overcome a knee injury to play in Sydney. Should again be a threat for the Blues at left centre after winning the Dally M for Canberra at five-eighth.
Winger – Josh Addo-Carr
Age: 24
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 6
Scored a double in the series opener to go with his career-best form for the Storm. His speed is unmatched on the field.
Five-eighth – Cody Walker
Age: 30
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
Returns to start in the halves after being picked ahead of Luke Keary. Was the form man at the end of the NRL season and is playing better now than when he got his shot last year.
Halfback – Nathan Cleary
Age: 22
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 0
Must answer the critics who have questioned his output in his previous six Origin games. Was easily the NRL’s best half this year at Penrith.
Prop – Daniel Saifiti
Age: 24
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 0
Was good early in Game I but the Blues need to make more use of their middle in Sydney. Saifiti will be crucial to that.
Hooker – Damien Cook
Age: 29
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 2
Scored a try in Adelaide but will want to find more space around the ruck in Sydney. Will also be reliant on quicker play-the-balls from his forwards.
Prop – Payne Haas
Age: 20
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
Elevated to the starting side after limited impact off the bench. Will also play a big part in the Blues’ desire for quicker ruck speeds.
Second-row – Angus Crichton
Age: 24
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 0
Comes in for his club captain Boyd Cordner and gets a chance to play on the edge rather in the middle.
Second-row – Tyson Frizell
Age: 29
Origins: 12
Origin tries: 3
Now the Blues’ most experienced player after the loss of Cordner. Wouldn’t have been happy with his impact in game one and will want more.
Lock – Jake Trbojevic
Age: 26
Origins: 10
Origin tries: 1
Offers grunt up the middle as well as ball-playing ability. Engages the line more than any other forward in the NRL before passing.
Interchange:
Dale Finucane
Age: 29
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 0
Gets a recall as part of changes caused by Boyd Cordner and Cameron Murray’s absences. Is one of Melbourne’s most reliable, so won’t let the Blues down.
Junior Paulo
Age: 26
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Back on the bench but now with the ability to break the game open with his offloads and passing game through the middle.
Nathan Brown
Age: 27
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
Will be asked to provide some mongrel in his State of Origin debut. Will be given an impact role off the bench and be asked to cause chaos during it.
Isaah Yeo
Age: 26
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
Gets the reward for a great season at Penrith with his Origin debut. Will come on at lock but can move to an edge in case of injury.