It all comes down to this for the NSW Blues: lose in Perth tonight, and the Queensland Maroons, yet again as huge outsiders, will win State of Origin for 2022.
Blues coach Brad Fittler has wielded the axe after the side’s disappointing 16-10 loss in game one, while Maroons players have showered praise on rookie coach Billy Slater’s influence on the squad.
Each state’s preparation for the game has been markedly different, with Fittler’s men making the five-hour flight over to Western Australia on Monday, while Slater elected to do the majority of the side’s training in Queensland – only flying in on Thursday.
It’s one of the biggest rugby league games of the year – so what do you need to know about the do or die clash at Perth’s Optus Stadium?
Captains James Tedesco (left) and Daly Cherry-Evans (right) with the State of Origin shield
Start time
The game is scheduled to kick-off at 5.50pm local time, which is 7.50pm AEST. That is twenty minutes earlier than game one started, which was in Sydney – but Origin matches never kick off on time, so expect a delay of about 10 minutes or more.
Are the fans out in force in Perth?
The NRL have confirmed the game is officially a sell-out in a statement released on Sunday afternoon.
‘The National Rugby League (NRL) announced today that Ampol State of Origin Two in Perth had officially sold out,’ the statement said
‘Following Queensland’s win in Game One of the series in Sydney, State of Origin’s first trip back to Optus Stadium since 2019 will be played in front of a full house.’
Jeremiah Nanai (centre) pulls out a huge tackle on NSW’s Ryan Matterson (right)
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said it was a great result for all involved.
‘We are thrilled to announce a sell-out in Perth for the second Ampol State of Origin match,’ he said.
‘The response from our supporters has confirmed Origin as the greatest rivalry in Australian sport, offering a unique experience for fans on and off the field.’
Broadcast information
TV: Channel 9 are the sole television broadcasters for the game, with coverage to start at 7pm, and end at approximately 10.30pm. Fox Footy also have pre and post-game shows at 6pm and 9.45pm respectively, though they won’t be showing the game.
Radio: ABC, Triple M and 2GB will all be calling the game live.
Kalyn Ponga (centre) celebrates the game one win with Cam Munster and Felise Kaufusi
Expected starting sides
NSW made two late changes to the starting side just before kick-off in game one, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Liam Martin promoted in favour of Cameron Murrary and Junior Paulo, while Queensland lined up 1-17.
Queensland
Maroons coach Billy Slater was into two key changes after injuries to Reuben Cotter and Xavier Coates, with Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi replacing Coates on the wing and Jai Arrow returning to the side on the bench, with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui moving to lock.
Cameron Munster was man of the match after a phenomenal performance in game one
Slater said Cotter was a huge loss for the side.
‘He brought a lot and was a big part of what happened. You’ve got to rethink the way you use your bench when you have a guy that played 80 like he did,’ he said at camp.
Hooker Harry Grant gushed about the influence Slater and the coaching staff have had on the squad throughout the preparation.
‘It’s a different brand of footy that they’ve played a lot of, so to have them so accessible to pick their brains, it’s great for us,’ he told a Fox Sports report.
‘They’re so out there, easy to get along with and give the information you need and ask for.’
Valentine Holmes celebrates scoring a try in game one
1: Kalyn Ponga, 2: Selwyn Cobbo, 3: Valentine Holmes, 4: Dane Gagai, 5: Murray Taulagi, 6: Cameron Munster, 7: Daly Cherry-Evans, 8: Lindsay Collins, 9: Ben Hunt, 10: Josh Papalii, 11: Luke Capewell, 12: Felise Kaufusi, 13: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Interchange: 14: Harry Grant, 15: Jai Arrow, 16: Patrick Carrigan, 17: Jeremiah Nanai.
NSW
After the last-minute game one changes, Blues assistant coach Greg Alexander said he didn’t think there would be any changes this time in.
‘No, I don’t think so, but that’s the coach’s prerogative though and that happens weekly,’ he told the report.
‘So if we did make a change well I don’t see the massive deal in it. But there won’t be any changes.’
Cameron Murray looks dejected after a tough loss in game one
Coach Brad Fittler was under-fire after savagely wielding the axe and making seven changes – but he was in no mood to apologise earlier in the week.
‘I’ve got to pick a team that’s going to win and I make no apologies for that. It’s been a great week of training and I feel like we’ve made some good decisions,’ he said.
1: James Tedesco, 2: Brian To’o, 3: Matt Burton, 4: Stephen Crichton, 5: Daniel Tupou, 6: Jarome Luai, 7: Nathan Cleary, 8: Payne Haas, 9: Api Koroisau, 10: Jake Trbojevic, 11: Cameron Murray, 12: ,Liam Martin 13: Isaah Yeo.
Interchange: 14: Damien Cook, 15: Angus Crichton, 16: Junior Paulo, 17: Siosifa Talakai.
Nathan Cleary will need to bounce back after a disappointing game one performance
What happened in game one?
Queensland did what they do best: win as underdogs. A Cameron Munster masterclass led the Maroons to a shock 16-10 win in Sydney.
They were utterly dominant around the ruck and in the forwards, and aside from another incredible game in sky blue from Jack Wighton, the Blues attack wasn’t as free-flowing as was expected.
Harry Grant (left) offloads the ball in an impressive game one cameo
Maroons defenders relentless hunted Nathan Cleary and put him off his kicking game – and how he responds will have a huge say in game two.
NSW 10 (Wighton, Murray tries; Cleary 1 goal) defeated by Queensland 16 (Gagai, Cherry-Evans, Holmes tries; Holmes 2 goals)
NSW celebrate winning the 2021 State of Origin series 2-1 in the Gold Coast
History
There have been 124 State of Origin games, with 66 wins to Queensland, 56 to NSW and two draws. The Maroons have won 22 series to the Blues’ 16, with two drawn (1999 and 2002).
Queensland have held the shield aloft just once since 2017, after an era in which they incredibly won 11 of 12 series.
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