State of Origin Two Preview - NSW v QLD @ ANZ Stadium

 
New South Wales V Queensland @ ANZ Stadium

Preview - The Blues will be looking to win just their second series in 12 years when they look to take a 2-0 lead over Queensland at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night. In the first Sunday night Origin game since 2002, NSW have the opportunity to turn the tide of Queensland dominance, after securing a deserved 22-12 victory in Game 1 in Melbourne. The Blues shot out of the blocks to lead 8-0, before two quick tries to Queensland saw them having to come from behind in the second half, scoring the last 14 points of the game to run out victors in Brad Fittler's debut game as Coach. The Blues have led the series 1-0 five times over the past 11 years, but only managed to secure victory in 2014 when they won Game 2 at ANZ Stadium 12-8. 

New South Wales Blues' Scouting Report - Brad Fittler was forced to endure a difficult weekend with Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Latrell Mitchell leaving the field on Friday night. Campbell-Gillard will likely miss the rest of the Origin campaign with a broken jaw, however Latrell Mitchell is fit to play after recovering quickly from a neck scare, after being stretchered off. Matt Prior is the unlikely debutant, likely to fill a bench role, with Paul Vaughn moving into the starting front row. Prior has been a huge part of the Sharks' recent success, winning a Premiership with them in 2016 as well, and has taken his game to another level since joining the Club. James Tedesco will be up for another huge game after dominating through the middle on a slippery surface in Melbourne. 

Queensland Maroons' Scouting Report - Kevin Walters has brought in both Billy Slater and Kayln Ponga as he looks to inject some much needed spark into what was a disappointing offensive display from the Maroons in Game 1. Slater is still under a fitness cloud, having not played for a month, but with Ponga in red hot form the Maroons have a ready made replacement at the back should Slater not get up for the game. As things stand, Ponga is likely to start on the bench, taking the place of Anthony Milford, with Michael Morgan having been ruled out through injury. Queensland have some forwards under pressure with Jarrod Wallace running for just 20 metres in Game 1, and Gavin Cooper struggling at Club level. Andre McCullough was ineffective on debut and, whilst Ben Hunt had his moments, he and Cameron Munster will need to take advantage of opportunities better in Game 2. 

Verdict - Blues by 1-6 in a low scoring game

I think the Blues can win at home and wrap up the series. Let's remember last season they led 1-0 and led 16-6 at halftime, before a try at the death for Queensland saw them sneak home to win 18-16, before dominating Game 3 with the momentum of the series shifting. That was a Queensland team containing legends Smith, Thurston and Cronk, and I just don't see the same aura or ability to pull the game out of the fire.

I didn't love the side they picked for Game 1, and they have some out-of-form forwards here again in the likes of Wallace and Cooper. For me, it's a concern that Billy Slater has not played for a month and, despite the injection of Ponga, I just think Queensland are going to struggle to get enough points again with McCullough a non-factor in Game 1. New South Wales were hardly flawless, however I expect them to improve as a team, and have the forwards to get on top on what is a notoriously slippery surface at ANZ Stadium. Expecting this to be a low scoring game, as they often are in Sydney, but the Blues to learn from last year and grab on to an 18-12 win to seal just their second series in 12 years.