3 minute read
A guide to the Queensland team for State of Origin II against NSW in Perth on June 23.
HOW QUEENSLAND SHAPE UP FOR ORIGIN II
Fullback - Kalyn Ponga (age 21)
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
Scarily, Ponga thinks there's plenty of room for improvement after he slotted seamlessly into the No.1 jersey in the series opener following Billy Slater's retirement. Was terrific in defence and ensured his fingerprints were all over the Maroons' attack with two superb try assists.
Winger - Corey Oates (age 24)
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 3
The Bronco had a night to forget in club colours against Parramatta on Saturday but will be happy to queue for opportunities in Perth after the huge winger soared for a try in Brisbane.
Centre - Michael Morgan (age 27)
Origins: 10
Origin tries: 1
Morgan was again up to the task in Brisbane, slotting into the centres with aplomb despite playing in the halves or at fullback at club level. Goes about his business with minimum fuss but can easily play the role of game-breaker.
Centre - Will Chambers (age 31)
Origins: 11
Origin tries: 2
Diffused the threat of Latrell Mitchell in game one, but couldn't have expected the NSW ace to be dropped for the Perth rematch as a result. Remains the defensive barometer in the backline for the Maroons.
Winger - Dane Gagai (age 28)
Origins: 11
Origin tries: 11
A double in the series opener, including a match-turning full field intercept, underlines Gagai's worth in the Origin arena. The South Sydney talent now has 11 tries in as many games for Queensland and will be eyeing more in Perth.
Five-eighth - Cameron Munster (age 24)
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 0
Probed and prodded the NSW defensive line with alarming effectiveness - he busted seven tackles in all - to remind of his unique talents in Brisbane. Success was almost in spite of the clunky combinations in the spine, which should only improve with more time in camp together.
Halfback - Daly Cherry-Evans (captain, age 30)
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 1
The new skipper's leadership passed a massive test in the comeback win, while his kicking game in general play helped Queensland turn the tide. Cherry-Evans' road from Queensland outcast to series-winning captain is within reach.
Prop - Dylan Napa (age 26)
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 0
Back in the starting side with Jai Arrow (ankle) on the sidelines, Napa arrived in Perth with a broken wrist but says it won't stop him from setting the tone up front on Sunday.
Hooker - Ben Hunt (age 29)
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 0
The halfback-turned-hooker made 48 tackles and missed just two in a gut-busting game one effort. The 80-minute performance proved a few doubters wrong, while his running game also emerged late to poke holes in the NSW ruck.
Prop - Josh Papalii (age 27)
Origins: 13
Origin tries: 1
Papalii was again the Maroons' pack leader in game one, barging for 123m in just 40 minutes in another trademark performance he'll look to replicate in Perth.
Second-row - Felise Kaufusi (age 27)
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 0
Looking more and more at home on an edge for Queensland, Kaufusi hopes to form a formidable left-side combination with Munster to ensure he has value in attack and defence.
Second-row - Matt Gillett (age 30)
Origins: 19
Origin tries: 2
Has his breath back after a frenetic return to the Origin arena following a broken neck in 2018. Queensland's most-capped player is cherishing his time back in the Origin fold.
Lock - Josh McGuire (age 29)
Origins: 12
Origin tries: 0
McGuire brushed aside any injury concerns to deliver the goods again for his state in Brisbane. Will be relied on again to do the dirty work for Queensland after combining 35 tackles with 108 run metres in game one.
Interchange:
Moses Mbye (age 25)
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Waiting for his chance to make a real impact on the series after the utility option played just seven minutes in a Brisbane Origin debut.
Jarrod Wallace (age 27)
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 1
The benefactor of injuries to Joe Ofahengaue and Jai Arrow, Gold Coast's Wallace looks to have pipped Melbourne aspirant Christian Welch after initially dropping down the pecking order this year.
Tim Glasby (age 30)
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 0
A classically underrated performer who has waited patiently on the periphery of the squad for another crack. In good club form and can be relied upon to work hard in the guts for Queensland.
David Fifita (age 19)
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
The first player born in the 2000s to play Origin footy wasted little time making an impact with 12 hit-ups in 27 minutes of action on debut. An extreme athlete capable of exposing tired legs late in the contest.
