‘Gone, not a starting player': NSW Blues urged to make changes for Origin decider
NSW coach Laurie Daley is being urged to make changes to his forward pack after Queensland forced a series decider with victory in Game 2.
The Maroons defeated NSW 26-24, withstanding a ferocious second half onslaught in Perth as the Blues threatened to pull off the greatest comeback in Origin history after trailing 26-6 at halftime.
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The series will head to a decider in Sydney, as NSW chase back to back series wins and Billy Slater aims to secure a third Origin shield in four years.
After being thoroughly outclassed in Game 1, Queensland gave an improved performance in Game 2 as Slater's decision to recall veteran forward Kurt Capewell (107m from 11 runs) proved a masterstroke.
Payne Haas (142 metres from 16 runs) was immense again for NSW, but the injury to Warriors forward Mitch Barnett that ruled him out of Game 2 may well have created a selection headache for coach Daley at the prop position.
Max King was elevated to the starting line-up but only played 25 minutes in Game 2 (47m from six runs), while Storm forward Stefano Utoikamanu was picked on the bench (41m from 5 runs).
But they looked a touch off the place, with Daley urged to shake-up his forward pack for the series decider on July 9.
Fox League commentator Andrew Voss told his SEN radio show: 'Across two games, there's not too many of them (NSW players) that can say, 'I played up to my ability'.
'Stefano Utoikamanu is gone. I'm rubbing him out for Game 3.
'Max King is not a starting Origin front rower. So there's a starting front rower spot up for grabs for NSW.
'I don't think you can go with the same starting 13 again. You can't go with Max King if you're only giving him that many minutes.'
Connor Watson's service out of dummy half late in the game left a bit to be desired, with the No. 14 throwing an errant pass down the short side when NSW's playmakers were screaming for the ball on the left.
Speaking about potential NSW changes, Greg Alexander said: 'A front rower, maybe? And maybe a different No. 14? I'm not convinced about that but it's worth thinking about.
'That's about it. I still think it's an outstanding side, surely we can't lose this series with this side?
'If they go on to lose the series, that will be a bitter pill to swallor after beating Queensland in Queensland in Game 1.'
So who should come in to partner Payne Haas at prop for the series decider?
Keaon Koloamatangi was brought into NSW's squad for Game 2 but was replaced by Jacob Preston after suffering a fractured eye socket in camp.
If he recovers in time, the Rabbitohs forward is a contender to be added to the starting side after playing various roles for Wayne Bennett at Souths.
Tigers prop Terrell May has been solid as ever at club level, but it would appear he is not on Daley's selection radar for this series with the NSW coach looking elsewhere.
Angus Crichton (93m), Liam Martin (41m) and Isaah Yeo (105m) are gun players that aren't going anywhere, but they were slightly below their best in Game 2.
Raiders forward Hudson Young played a large chunk of the game and gave plenty of go-forward when he came on (109m), but he is an edge forward, not a prop.
Rooster firebrand Spencer Leniu is preferred as an impact player off the bench, and is unlikely to be elevated to the starting side.
The forward pack isn't the only area of concern for Daley, who will be hoping Nathan Cleary can recover to be 100 per cent for Game 3 in Sydney.
Cleary looked hampered by a groin niggle in Perth as Zac Lomax was given the conversion kicking and Latrell Mitchell the long kicking duties at the end of sets.
Voss said on SEN: 'Nathan's not having a great year. He's having a good year, but he's not at his grand final, two years ago best.'
Cleary should be fit for the decider, but Mitchell Moses is not expected to be available as he continues his recovery from a calf injury sustained in camp ahead of Game 2.
The Panthers and Eels are said to be frustrated by the injuries to Moses and Cleary in Origin camp.
According to Code Sports, Penrith officials were 'dumbfounded by Cleary's apparent injury' that saw the NSW halfback wearing who wore a compression bandage wrapped around his upper right leg.
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