State of Origin teams: Blues make five changes for Game II

New South Wales and Queensland have released their team lists for Game II of the 2024 State of Origin series, with both camps making some big changes for their clash at the MCG on June 26.

Blues coach Michael Maguire has dumped Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes after the Origin I defeat in Sydney, with Eels star Mitchell Moses taking his place.

Maguire has also picked Panthers gun Dylan Edwards to make his Origin debut at fullback, with Roosters captain James Tedesco stepping aside.

Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray missed the opening game as he continued to work back from a hip injury, but he is set to start at lock in place of Sharks veteran Cameron McInnes.

Joining Murray in the walk-on side is his Souths teammate Latrell Mitchell, who replaces the suspended Joseph Sua’ali’i in the centres.

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Also included in the matchday 17 is Sydney utility Connor Watson, with Warriors forward Mitch Barnett named as first emergency.

Queensland coach Billy Slater has also made some big calls for next Wednesday’s clash in Melbourne.

Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo came off the bench in the Maroons’ 38-10 victory earlier this month, but there is no place for him in the squad this time.

Also out is Eels front-rower J’maine Hopgood, who has been dealing with a back complaint.

Veteran forwards Felise Kaufusi and Kurt Capewell join the bench, while Queensland’s starting 13 remains unchanged.

Origin stalwart Dane Gagai is named as 18th man, with North Queensland’s Heilum Luki and Melbourne’s Trent Loiero filling out the squad.

Rugby league bookmakers have installed Queensland as slender favourites at $1.78 to close out the series in Victoria, with NSW paying $2.10.

State of Origin Game II team lists

New South Wales v Queensland – Wednesday, June 26 – MCG, Melbourne

New South Wales Blues

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Brian To’o
3. Stephen Crichton
4. Latrell Mitchell
5. Zac Lomax
6. Jarome Luai
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Jake Trbojevic (C)
9. Reece Robson
10. Payne Haas
11. Liam Martin
12. Angus Crichton
13. Cameron Murray
14. Connor Watson
15. Isaah Yeo
16. Haumole Olakau’atu
17. Spencer Leniu
18. Mitchell Barnett

Queensland Maroons

1. Reece Walsh
2. Xavier Coates
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (C)
8. Reuben Cotter
9. Ben Hunt
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Jaydn Su’A
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Harry Grant
15. Moeaki Fotuaika
16. Felise Kaufusi
17. Kurt Capewell
18. Dane Gagai

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