Blues’ State of Origin reputations on line as weight of expectation falls on Maroons | Nick Tedeschi

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NSW coach Brad Fittler will be under the microscope in Game 2 against Queensland, who can no longer enjoy the element of surprise

while NSW’s best from the first game Jack Wighton will miss out due to Covid. Recalled are Angus Crichton and Jake Trbojevic. Api Koroisau starts at hooker with Damien Cook relegated to the bench as the Blues look to replicate the two-hooker strategy that served the Maroons so well in Sydney. Matt Burton will debut at centre while Siosifa Talakai starts from the bench.

While there is rightly a debate around which team is better, there is little doubt that the team selected for Perth by NSW is better suited. This is a far better balanced team and one that will suit the key playmakers. The other notable benefit of the team for Game 2 is not having a specialist centre on the bench. It was a curious decision to start Stephen Crichton from the pine in the opener and did not serve the Blues well when they could have used some extra leg speed through the middle. Talakai provides coverage at centre while he made his bones in the pack.

Queensland assistant coach Johnathan Thurston keeps a close eye on proceedings at training this week.Billy Slater kept a very tight lid on things leading into Sydney. When the Maroons hit the paddock they exploded. They played a tactically sound game but did so without any real weight of expectation. That is now gone after a frightfully strong win.

 

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