Rival State of Origin coaches Brad Fittler and Kevin Walters have given Optus Stadium the tick of approval ahead of their historic game-two clash.

NSW will look to keep this year’s series alive on Sunday when they meet Queensland in the first Origin game in Perth.

Both teams completed preparations on Saturday with training runs in wet conditions at the venue, the Maroons in the morning and NSW in the afternoon.

There were some concerns about the surface after the AFL players’ union reportedly joined a push to make the ground softer.

Rugby league talent, worth about $30 million, will be on show for what is largely considered the biggest Australian sporting spectacle of the year.

Fittler said that with NRL matches being played at the SCG, as well as previous Origin forays into Melbourne, players were used to hardened grounds.

“And they’re all the same. They’re a little bit firmer, so I think the kicking’s going to be a little bit tricky. Hopefully, we get hold of that,” Fittler said on Saturday.

“But outside of that, I think it’s a good surface for footy.”

Fittler went on to suggest the harder bounce might increase 40-20 attempts, and maybe even some cheeky chip kicks in attack.

“You can see they’re a bit firmer than most of our grounds. They cut them a bit shorter. I’ll find out later what it’s cut at. It’s very important,” he said.

“(It) brings in 40-20s and a few different things, also a bounce with chip kicks and that. Hopefully, we can learn something (at captain’s run) today.”

Heavy rain is also forecast, but it has failed to dampen Walters’ outlook.

“We have had a bit of a look at that, it looks a little bit scary that weather, but it will be fine for both teams,” he said.

“It’s a world-class stadium. We are just thrilled we get a chance to play … it’s a unique experience.

“I saw plenty of grass on (the surface).

“This is Origin. Our boys will go anywhere to put that jersey on and represent their state really proud. It’s a great opportunity and we are thrilled to be part of it.”

The foreign environment is the backdrop to another intriguing interstate contest the Blues must win to send the series to a decider in Sydney.

Fittler made seven changes from the side who lost game one, including the surprise culling of star centre and league’s leading pointscorer Latrell Mitchell.

Veteran James Maloney was among those brought back in after being dropped for game one, having led the Blues to success last year.

Forwards Dale Finucane and Daniel Saifiti will make their debuts.

Walters was forced into two changes due to injury, recalling Tim Glasby and Jarrod Wallace on his bench.

The Maroons’ lead-up was rocked by reports late on Saturday that utility Moses Mbye almost died after going into anaphylactic shock on Friday morning.

Queensland confirmed Mbye had suffered a serious allergic reaction, but had recovered to be a certain starter from the bench.

STATS THAT MATTER:

* Queensland have won the series in 16 of the past 18 occasions they have taken the opening game

* Twenty-one of the past 26 Origin games have been decided by 10 points or less

* NSW have had a player sin-binned in a record three-straight Origin games after Latrell Mitchell was binned in game one.