Origin Game Two Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

Desperation is the name of the game on Wednesday night.

Queensland, having lost their last three Origin games, roll into Perth, Western Australia, where they have lost both their previous matches there by 32 points.

And all the negative press has been focused on them, where New South Wales have just been able to go under the radar despite Mitchell Moses missing Origin through a calf strain suffered in camp.

Despite Billy Slater, hours after game one, announcing that it’s not a personnel issue, it clearly is. And with comments like that, there’s no surprise his tenure as coach is under immense scrutiny and pressure.

Dropping their captain mid-series would have to be a Queensland first. Cameron Munster being named Queensland’s 16th captain is a positive and remarkable feat for the Melbourne Storm six.

So with that – it’s all on the line. Queensland are desperate. If they lose this, the series is over and they would have only won one of their last six Origin games. Yikes.

Will they or won’t they kick to Spencer Leniu? After Wade Graham labelled it as one of the weakest moments on Origin history, this just adds to the narrative that the Maroons are under pressure. It’s time for the talking to be done on the field.

I have full faith in this New South Wales side that they will get the job done. The recoupling of Luai and Cleary will be exactly what they need without Moses.

There’s more killer instinct in the Blues’ forward pack. There’s more mongrel, and blokes who won’t take a backwards step.

The Cane Toads, if they are to win – it’s around Munster and Dearden. Both running halves, the prospect of Dearden does scare me as a Cockroach fan. He’s deadly when he’s on, and with the added responsibility of the C next to Munster’s name, he has the ability to carry his team on his shoulders and lead by example.

Queensland’s bench was their ultimate letdown in game one. And having dropped Carrigan and Nanai to the bench is a band-aid fix to try stick it with the Blues ability to keep the momentum flowing despite the interchanges happening.

With a Perth-based side becoming the NRL’s 18th team in 2027, I expect an NRL-led initiative to let the game flow a bit more. Perhaps the referee will put the whistle back in his pocket and we’ll see full-flowing end-to-end rugby league.

New South Wales can’t rely on what they did in game one to be enough. They have to work even harder, and do everything possible to counter Queensland’s desperation and fight. That’s what will be coming. Can New South Wales bat it back?

I’m going for a Jarome Luai first try scorer and Man Of The Match double.

New South Wales to get the choccies and wrap the series up with a 30-20 win.

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