State of Origin season is in full swing, with the second match fast approaching.
The stakes are especially high for the New South Wales Blues after a hammering in home territory saw them go down to the Queensland Maroons 38-10.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of game II.
When is State of Origin game II?
The second match will be on Wednesday, June 26.
What time is kick-off?
- 8:05pm AEST: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria
- 7:35pm ACST: Northern Territory, South Australia
- 6:05pm AWST: Western Australia
Where is game II?
Game II will be played at the MCG in Melbourne.
It’s been a lucky venue for New South Wales in the past, with the Blues claiming wins in four out of the five games played there.
The stats show they perform marginally better than the Maroons on neutral territory, though.
Of the 14 games played outside Queensland and New South Wales, the Blues have won eight.
How have the teams changed since game I?
Both Blues coach Michael Maguire and Maroons coach Billy Slater have opted for some changes to their squads ahead of game II.
Felise Kaufusi, and Kurt Capewell will add some experience to the Maroons’ interchange bench, having earned their spots in the 17.
Star attacker Reece Walsh will take to the field for the first time since a high shot by Blues debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii left him heavily concussed in Game I.
In line with the NRL’s mandatory 11-day stand-down period, Walsh was sidelined for the Broncos’ loss to the Sharks and the round 15 match against the Rabbitohs.
Suaalii, who copped a four-game ban in response to the tackle, won’t play again before teams are picked for Game III.
His suspension has made way for Latrell Mitchell’s State of Origin return.
Nicho Hynes has been dropped in favour of Mitchell Moses a New South Wales halfback.
| New South Wales | Jersey number | Queensland |
|---|---|---|
| Dylan Edwards | 1 | Reece Walsh |
| Brian To’o | 2 | Xavier Coates |
| Stephen Crichton | 3 | Valentine Holmes |
| Latrell Mitchell | 4 | Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow |
| Zac Lomax | 5 | Murray Taulagi |
| Jarome Luai | 6 | Tom Dearden |
| Mitchell Moses | 7 | Daly Cherry-Evans (c) |
| Jake Trbojevic (c) | 8 | Reuben Cotter |
| Reece Robson | 9 | Ben Hunt |
| Payne Haas | 10 | Lindsay Collins |
| Liam Martin | 11 | Jaydn Su’A |
| Angus Crichton | 12 | Jeremiah Nanai |
| Cameron Murray | 13 | Patrick Carrigan |
| Connor Watson | 14 | Harry Grant |
| Isaah Yeo | 15 | Moeaki Fotuaika |
| Haumole Olakau’atu | 16 | Felise Kaufusi |
| Spencer Leniu | 17 | Kurt Capewell |
| Mitch Barnett | 18 | Dane Gagai |
| Cameron McInnes | 19 | Heilum Luki |
| Luke Keary | 20 | Trent Loiero |
When is State of Origin game III?
The third and final State of Origin match will be played three weeks from the second match — Wednesday, July 17.
Where will State of Origin game III be played?
The series will head to Brisbane’s Lang Park.
Unsurprisingly, this is where the Maroons shine.
They’ve won 65 per cent of all games played here, including the past two.
When is the Women’s State of Origin?
Thursday night.
The third and final match in the Women’s State of Origin series will be a big one, with both sides having chalked up a win.
The Sky Blues won their first match with a convincing 22 to 12 over Queensland on May 16.
In the second match on June 6, Queensland’s Lauren Brown kicked a last-minute field goal taking the score from 11 to 10 and keeping the series alive.
It’s set the sides up for a tense decider match, which will be played in Townsville.
What time is kick-off for the Women’s State of Origin?
- 7.45pm AEST: ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria
- 7:15pm ACST: Northern Territory, South Australia
- 6:45pm AWST: Western Australia
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