HOW QUEENSLAND SHAPE UP FOR ORIGIN II
Fullback – Valentine Holmes
Age: 25
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 8
AJ Brimson’s series-ending injury means Holmes returns to Origin for first time since 2018 at fullback. Has an amazing try-scoring strike rate for Queensland.
Winger – Xavier Coates
Age: 19
Origins: 1
Tries: 1
Teenager Coates was solid on his debut in Adelaide, looking safe at the back and scoring a try.
Centre – Kurt Capewell
Age: 27
Origins: 1
Tries: 0
One of the players of the game in Adelaide but has been battling a groin injury which flared up late in game one.
Centre – Dane Gagai
Age: 29
Origins: 14
Tries: 11
Keeps on delivering for his state after a strong performance in Adelaide. Will be hoping to outpoint Dally M Medallist Jack Wighton once more.
Winger – Phillip Sami
Age: 23
Origins: 1
Tries: 0
The versatile Titan was okay on debut in Adelaide, but may have to move to centres if Capewell is ruled out.
Five-eighth – Cameron Munster
Age: 26
Origins: 8
Tries: 1
Showed no signs of his knee injury in game one and scored his first Origin try as the Maroons took control of the game in the second half.
Halfback – Daly Cherry-Evans (captain)
Age: 31
Origins: 11
Tries: 1
Named man-of-the-match in game one, Cherry-Evans led the team impressively in game one and will be eager to secure his first series win as Maroons’ skipper.
Prop – Dunamis Lui
Age: 30
Origins: 0
Tries: 0
Replacing Christian Welch, Lui gets his Origin debut at 30 after 158 NRL appearances. A late bloomer who has been impressive for Canberra in past two years.
Hooker – Jake Friend
Age: 30
Origins: 1
Tries: 0
Didn’t let anyone down on his Origin debut and will once again be asked to provide plenty of work through the middle both in attack and defence.
Prop – Josh Papalii
Age: 28
Origins: 16
Tries: 2
The Raiders enforcer set up Queensland’s game one victory with a brilliant opening stint in Adelaide. Will again be asked to get the Maroons on the front foot early in the game.
Back-rower – Felise Kaufusi
Age: 28
Origins: 7
Tries: 1
Doesn’t grab the headlines but was again a quiet performer in game one with a solid backrower’s display.
Back-rower – Jaydn Su’A
Age: 23
Origins: 1
Tries: 0
Rewarded for his strong Origin debut off the bench in game one with a starting spot this time around, replacing the axed Coen Hess.
Lock – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Age: 20
Origins: 1
Tries: 0
Did nothing wrong in his Origin debut and will again be charged with providing some athleticism and hard-running in the No.13 jersey.
Interchange:
Ben Hunt
Age: 30
Origins: 8
Tries: 0
Showed his versatility by coming on at lock and finishing game one at centre, Hunt was a key part of the Maroons’ second-half comeback in Adelaide.
Lindsay Collins
Age: 24
Origins: 1
Tries: 0
Produced plenty of punch off the bench on his Origin debut and will be expected to deliver the same in game two.
Jai Arrow
Age: 25
Origins: 5
Tries: 0
Bent the Blues’ defensive line with several hit-ups in his stint off the bench. Provides much-needed experience among the finishers.
Moeaki Fotuaika
Age: 20
Origins: 0
Tries: 0
Only 20 but already has over 50 first-grade games to his name. Fotuaika will give extra punch off the bench in his Origin debut.
