HOW QUEENSLAND SHAPE UP FOR ORIGIN II
FULLBACK – BILLY SLATER (age 35)
Origins: 29
Origin tries: 12
The old master can finally start his swan song series after overcoming a hamstring injury that forced his game one withdrawal. Queensland hopes may hinge on whether his brilliance and organisational ability can fix their Origin I issues in defence and attack.
WINGER – VALENTINE HOLMES (age 22)
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 5
The Cronulla flyer held off pressure from Brisbane’s Corey Oates to retain his spot but showed what he can do with 85m intercept try in game one. Will retain goal-kicking duties after nerveless display with the boot at a packed MCG.
CENTRE – GREG INGLIS (age 31, capt)
Origins: 31
Origin tries: 18 (Origin record)
Almost single-handedly kept Queensland in game one at times with inspirational plays and bone-jarring hits. Hard act to follow but he may need to repeat the feat if he is to avoid defeat in his first series as skipper
CENTRE – WILL CHAMBERS (age 30)
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 2
Has a point to prove after being outplayed by opposite Latrell Mitchell in the game one loss. Usually rock solid in defence, Chambers will be out to atone after missing eight tackles at the MCG.
WINGER – DANE GAGAI (age 27)
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 8
Showed tremendous grit to overcome a compound finger dislocation suffered at the captain’s run to not only play in Melbourne but also extend his stunning strike rate, taking his Origin try tally to eight in as many matches.
FIVE-EIGHTH – CAMERON MUNSTER (age 23)
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
Tried hard to inspire in just his second game for Queensland in Origin I but failed to click with halves partner Ben Hunt. Will be out to provide early ball for skipper Inglis and produce more spark with his dangerous running game.
HALFBACK – BEN HUNT (age 28)
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
The form halfback of the NRL is yet to find his feet at Origin level. Needs to step up and inject his dangerous running game in game two to silence the doubters.
PROP – DYLAN NAPA (age 25)
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 0
The fiery front rower is under pressure ahead of game two to respond to the NSW pack’s challenge. The Sydney Roosters giant’s task won’t be made easier by an ankle complaint that disrupted his preparation.
HOOKER – ANDREW MCCULLOUGH (age 28)
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Was worth the wait. Seamlessly slipped into ex-skipper Cameron Smith’s No.9 jersey with a trademark workmanlike debut in game one after a decade wait, nudging the 50-tackle mark.
PROP – JARROD WALLACE (age 26)
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 1
Playing for his Origin future after coach Kevin Walters gave the Gold Coast forward a “second chance”. Must bounce back after managing just 43m from only five carries in game one.
BACK-ROWER – GAVIN COOPER (age 32)
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 1
May have played just four Origins but the 274 NRL-game veteran provides the young pack with plenty of experience. It may have earned him a game two reprieve after failing to make an impact in the series opener.
BACK-ROWER – FELISE KAUFUSI (age 26)
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Impressed on debut as one of few Maroons forwards who could hold his head up after game one. Produced his trademark line running and made up for some defensive misses by rattling off 45 tackles.
LOCK – JOSH MCGUIRE (age 28)
Origins: 9
Origin tries: 0
Defied doubters by hitting the ground running in game one – his first match in six weeks due to an ankle injury. At one stage tipped to be injected into the front-row for game two, McGuire will provide trademark mongrel wearing No.13 in Sydney.
BENCH – KALYN PONGA (age 20)
Origins: Nil
Few Origin debuts have been more eagerly awaited by fans and players alike. No one is sure how the big-stepping, 20-year-old, X-factor player will be used as a bench utility but it is certain to be exciting to watch.
BENCH – JOSH PAPALII (age 26)
Origins: 10
Origin tries: 1
Unlucky not to earn a starting front row spot for game two after a barnstorming series opener off bench just weeks after being relegated to reserve grade by his club Canberra.
BENCH – COEN HESS (age 21)
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 2
Must regain the mojo that earned an Origin debut in the corresponding game last year after his confidence was dented by club North Queensland’s 2018 woes.
BENCH – JAI ARROW (age 22)
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Retained on the bench as an impact forward after speculation the livewire Gold Coast Titans No.13 may be promoted and start at lock for the Maroons.