State of Origin Game 2 2024: NSW Blues win 38-18 over Queensland Maroons
In the ultimate redemption from a nightmare Origin game one, the NSW Blues smashed records in a dominant first half to set up a mouthwatering decider at Suncorp Stadium.
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This was the most spectacular leap inside the MCG this year – and it came from a triumphant NSW State of Origin player.
In a Superman-bound for the ages in front of the MCG Members’ Stand, a jet-propelled NSW winger Zac Lomax vaulted two metres into the air to score a famous try from a Mitch Moses bomb.
Lomax was so high he could have spoken with the MCG’s famous seagulls.
It was a stunning try which highlighted arguably the greatest half of rugby league in State of Origin history.
Remarkably, NSW scored six first half tries to lead 34-0 at halftime. Queensland players and fans squirmed with embarrassment. NSW has only scored 34 points or more in total on six occasions.
By fulltime, NSW had secured a famous 38-18 victory.
NSW’s first half tries came in the 10th, 17th, 23rd, 26th, 32nd and 38th minutes – it was difficult to grasp such an uncommon annihilation at this level.
Lomax soared above hapless Queensland winger Murray Taulagi to send 90,084 fans in AFL-made Melbourne into raptures.
With the series now level and alive, a confident Blues and fragile Maroons travel to Brisbane for a blockbusting decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 17.
Bring. It. On.
Let’s see how cool Teflon Billy handles the heat and Queensland media scrutiny?
The Blues led 20-6 at halftime in 2021 before posting a 50-6 win in Townsville and Queensland were ahead 21-0 at the break in 1983.
But nothing, absolutely nothing, compared to what unfolded inside the opening 40 minutes on Wednesday night.
Lomax posted a second try on halftime and kicked five goals for an individual tally of 18 first half points.
He scored a similar try from a bomb in Sydney.
Rugby league has never seen a Maroons team cop such a raw hiding. They had no answers.
Queensland glamour boy Reece Walsh, knocked on in Sydney, only had six runs for 36 metres. He was totally ineffective.
Early in the second half, Queensland had missed 24 tackles to NSW’s four. The Maroons enjoyed just 32 per cent of possession in that ill-fated first half.
The second half became spiteful at times with Blues forward Liam Martin, who scored the game’s first try, being sin-binned along with Queensland’s Patrick Carrigan.
Separately, NSW had two players placed on report from referee Ashley Klein – Mitchell for a high tackle and Martin for a dangerous throw.
Blues halfback Mitch Moses was brilliant in the first half, posting three try assists with big Payne Haas, stung by criticism over his Origin performances, ran for 110 metres before halftime.
By fulltime, Moses had secured four try assists with Haas running 19 times for a total of 158 metres. Returning centre Mitchell was dangerous, giving NSW some much-needed swagger.
The selection of Moses, Mitchell and Dylan Edwards, a second half try scorer, was a masterstroke from NSW coach Michael Maguire.
Blues fans were up and about, singing and dancing after just 35 minutes. Queensland’s first try came through Jeremiah Nanai in the 55th minute.
The Maroons’ second half was a massive improvement, scoring three tries to one.
A Canberra-born fullback who played just 18 NRL games, Maguire is now on the cusp of becoming a year-one Origin legend.
Maguire has now shown NSW how and where to beat Queensland, the Maroons to play game three in front of their home crowd under excruciating pressure.
A former Souths and Wests Tigers coach, Maguire now holds short-term bragging rights over Slater after a week of hostility between the opposing coaches.
Victory continues NSW’s remarkable dominance in Melbourne, the Blues having won five from six games in the AFL-mad Victorian capital.
In an amazing night for rugby league with the vast majority of fans supporting Queensland.
Sixty thousand were local Victorian fans, the other 30,000 having arrived from interstate and overseas.
RELIVE OUR LIVE COVERAGE OF ORIGIN II BELOW
FULL-TIME: NSW KEEP SERIES ALIVE WITH RECORD BREAKING WIN
In the ultimate redemption from a nightmare Origin game one, the NSW Blues smashed records in a dominant first half, to set up a mouthwatering decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Any doubts over Mitchell Moses and Latrell Mitchell’s spot in the side have been put to bed, after they ignited the NSW attack.
Wilson Smith signing off for the night, it’s been an absolute pleasure. I’ll see you for our live coverage of the decider.
77TH MINUTE - WALSH HURT?
Reece Walsh could be in some trouble, after coming out of a tackle hobbling, before failing to contest a high ball. He could be in some doubt for the Broncos this week.
67TH MINUTE - MAROONS IN AGAIN
The Maroons have been gifted their third try of the night, with Daly Cherry-Evans putting Murray Taulagi over in the corner, despite a hint of obstruction. It won’t be easy but they’re still a chance here, trailing by 20-points with 11 minutes to go.
Meanwhile, Liam Martin has been put on report for the second time tonight, after a high tackle on Daly Cherry-Evans after kicking the ball.
61ST MINUTE – BLUES HIT BACK
The Blues have shut down a Maroons comeback, extending their lead after conceding the last two tries. NSW exposed Queensland down the right side, with a brilliant cutout pass from Mitchell Moses setting up Dylan Edwards.
Edwards scores in his Origin debut! ðŸ‘#Originpic.twitter.com/XQc0kE2XHd
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
Meanwhile Angus Crichton has absolutely levelled Valentine Holmes, in arguably the biggest hit of the night so far.
Not to be outdone, Latrell Mitchell came up with a massive effort, ragdolling Reece Walsh to the ground.
Crichton goes WHACK 👊#Originpic.twitter.com/C9rYK8Aw7o
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
59TH MINUTE – MAROONS COMEBACK ON?
Queensland are in for their second try of the night, with Harry Grant and Tom Dearden combining to set up a short side raid, with some quick hands from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow putting Murray Taulagi into space, before kicking through for the Hammer to score untouched. Valentine Holmes converts and the Maroons trail by 22 points with about 20 minutes left to go. Could the comeback be on here?
52ND MINUTE – MAROONS FINALLY ON THE BOARD
Can the Maroons only score against 12 men? Queensland are finally on the scoresheet for tonight, with Jeremiah Nanai crashing over to score.
Crichton goes WHACK 👊#Originpic.twitter.com/C9rYK8Aw7o
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
50TH – PLAYERS BINNED AS ORIGIN II EXPLODES
Liam Martin and Patrick Carrigan have been sin-binned, after players once again came together after an NSW celebrated an error from Jaydn Su’A.
It's heating up in Melbourne! #Originpic.twitter.com/lkWuiX72Xv
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
Only minutes earlier, Ashley Klein has had to separate both teams, with Spencer Leniu charging in after players came together following an ugly grapple tackle from Stephen Crichton on Daly Cherry-Evans.
Earlier, Reece Robson came up with a brilliant tackle to deny a try to Cowboys teammate Tom Dearden.
45TH MINUTE – TENSIONS RISING
Emotions are beginning to run high at the MCH, with Jaydn Su’A and Stephen Crichton coming together after a Maroons knock on.
Jarome Luai has got away with a shot on Daly Cherry-Evans without the ball, while
Latrell Mitchell has been put on report for a high shot on Xavier Coates.
He’s been near flawless tonight but Dylan Edwards has his first error of the night, knocking the ball on from a high kick.
41ST MINUTE – SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
And we’re back in action for State of Origin Game II at the MCG. Can the Maroons launch a miracle comeback? Or will the Blues run on with it?
HALF-TIME – BLUES PRODUCE RECORD BREAKING OPENING HALF
The NSW Blues have produced a record breaking opening half to a State of Origin match, with the 34 points scored at the MCG smashing the previous record of 21.
NSW were in again on the eve of halftime, with Zac Lomax scoring his second try of the night after some crisp passing from Mitch Moses, Dylan Edwards and Stephen Crichton.
After finally getting some good field position, the Maroons have blown a much needed chance, with Crichton intercepting a wayward pass from Tom Dearden.
Lomax strikes for his second! 🔥#Originpic.twitter.com/ZIvAYYP3eP
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
Liam Martin has been put on report for an ugly lifting tackle on Reuben Cotter, who has come off the field for what appeared to be a HIA.
Finally in some good news for Queensland, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow looks set to return to the field, after being forced off with a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, Harry Grant has required some running repairs, after being split open from some friendly fire after trying to tackle NSW wrecking ball Spencer Leniu.
32ND MINUTE – ONE-WAY TRAFFIC
The Blues are in again, with a brilliant offload from Angus Crichton to new fullback Dylan Edwards setting up Latrell Mitchell for his first try of the night.
This is a completely different contest to Game 1, with the Blues well and truly on top, with a 28-0 lead after Lomax slots his fourth goal of the night.
What am I watching?
TRELL MIT 🔵#Originpic.twitter.com/QM5zMi20jP
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
27TH MINUTE – STOP THE FIGHT!
This is one way traffic at the MCG, with Mitch Moses setting up another try for the NSW, this time with a sweet grubber to Brian To’o.
Meanwhile, the hits just keep coming for Queensland, kicking it out on the full after the Lomax try, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has succumbed to a shoulder injury, with Kurt Capewell coming into a reshuffled backline.
That's ✌ for To'o! #Originpic.twitter.com/nsHdPph0FL
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
23RD MINUTE – AIR LOMAX!
Zac Lomax’s dominance under the high ball has continued, outleaping Murray Taulagi to score in the corner for NSW.
The Blues looked to be in all sorts with the set going nowhere, before Jarome Luai got the ball to Mitch Moses to set up a pin point perfect kick for Lomax.
The Maroons continue to shoot themselves in the foot, giving away a penalties to put NSW in great field position, as well as
Mitch Moses came centimetres short of a 40/20 earlier, while Payne Haas is absolutely dominating through the middle.
Lomax LEAPS! 🦸â€â™‚ï¸#Originpic.twitter.com/FwUkWX3WcW
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
18TH MINUTE – HAMMER HURT AS BLUES GO IN AGAIN
Latrell Mitchell has made his mark in Origin II early, setting up a try with his second touch of the game, with an offload to Brian To’o to score in the left corner.
Meanwhile, Maroons centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow appears to be carrying a shoulder injury but is running it out for now.
NSW continues to heap pressure on the Maroons, who look like they’re in second gear at the moment.
Reece Walsh threatened to cut the Blues open again, but came up with a poor kick to give NSW a seven tackle set.
Trell âž¡ To'o! #Originpic.twitter.com/bC0Bwb6jxp
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
10TH MINUTE: BLUES STRIKE FIRST
NSW have finally crashed over after a mountain of possession, with Liam Martin cruising past Jaydn Su’A and Tom Dearden to score virtually untouched. Lomax converts to put the Blues in front by 6.
Liam Martin on the charge! 😤#Origin Thanks to @goodyearpic.twitter.com/r406iKOIYR
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
PRE-GAME DRAMAS FOR LOMAX
In a dramatic revelation, Andrew Johns suggested during Nine’s commentary that NSW winger Zac Lomac had spent his entire preparation into the match with a leg issue that required his knee to be drained of fluid due to a bursa on his right leg.
6TH MINUTE: MAROONS BLOW FIRST CHANCE
The Maroons have come up short with in their first real opportunity, after a sensational tackle from fullback Dylan Edwards shut down Jaydn Su’A, who broke the line from a crisp Tom Dearden pass.
Reece Walsh looked dangerous with his first touch, putting Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow into space, while NSW came up short in their first real attacking raid, after Stephen Crichton knocked on.
Earlier Payne Haas may have gotten away with a slight high shot, only minutes after the Maroons got away with a forward pass from dummy half.
1ST MINUTE: KICK-OFF
And we’re under way at the MCG, with the Blues kicking off. Wilson Smith here running our live coverage for tonight, so be sure to stay tuned for the latest news and score updates.
‘WITH VENOM’: JT INVOKES QLD SPIRIT AT MCG
Queensland legend and assistant coach Johnathan Thurston said the Maroons are primed to devastate NSW at the MCG and end the 2024 series tonight.
“The intensity is through the roof at the moment with the boys,” Thurston said from the MCG sheds as Queensland players completed their warm-up.
“They need to make sure they go out there and get their footy on. Make sure that they’re bringing the ball back with venom, kick returns, the little things we’ve spoken about.
“Tap into that Queensland spirit. When they have to defend the line multiple times, they dig their heels in and get the job done and keep turning them away.”
FINAL WORD FROM COACHES
The State of Origin coaches have spoken for the final time before both teams run out onto the MCG for game two of the 2024 series.
NSW coach Michael Maguire said new faces in his squad had impressed during camp.
“They’ve been good. They bring a lot of confidence. It’s been a really good week, (and it’s) about using it now and getting the 80 minutes done,” Maguire said.
“I’m really confident with what they’ve covered. Our prep has been great. They understand what we want to do, how we want to play.”
QLD coach Billy Slater conceded he still got nervous before matches but was comfortable with his team’s preparation.
“Fair to say the nerves are still there (but) the preparation’s been great,” Slater said.
“The last 10 days has been incredible (and) I feel the guys have been ready for a couple of days.”
Slater, who named an unchanged starting side from his game one victory, said the Maroons needed to treat the new additions to NSW’s team with respect.
“Well, they come with different strengths, their changes,” he said.
“We need to be aware of those strengths. We can’t be disrespectful to our game. Our game is our priority, we need to go after it.”
JOEY BACKS LATRELL
NSW legend Andrew Johns said there were serious expectations on Blues star Latrell Mitchell following his call-up for game two.
“Just throw him the ball, say ‘do something’ (and) look at the agility, the speed, the power. He can create something out of nothing,” Johns said.
“If you’re getting one-on-one, he just destroys them. Hunches into holes.
“I have no doubt tonight he’s going to have a huge game. He’s just an absolute superstar. The more eyes on him, the more pressure, the better he goes. I think he will have an absolute stormer tonight.”
MOSES GOOD TO GO DESPITE GIVING UP GOAL KICKING
NSW halfback Mitchell Moses claims his foot is fine despite news during the week he would give up kicking duties to Blues centre Zac Lomax.
Moses missed a chunk of matches for Parramatta earlier in the NRL season after fracturing his foot.
“Foot is probably the best it’s felt coming in here. Getting treatment on it the whole week. The best it felt since coming back from injury,” Moses said.
“Had a little kick yesterday. Just seeing my surroundings, getting used to that.
“I’ll go out there now and check what the wind is doing. It’s kind of swirling around a bit. Our kicking game will have to be good tonight.”
LATE MAIL: FINAL TEAMS IN
The final teams are in for State of Origin II, and both teams will line up 1-17 with Billy Slater and Michael Maguire resisting the urge to make any late changes.
Cameron McInnes and Trent Loiero drop off the extended bench for NSW and QLD respectively, with Mitch Barnett and Dane Gagai the 18th men.
Rugby league legend Michael Ennis predicted Michael Maguire would pull a big bench switch to have the Blues’ target a tiring Queensland pack midway through the contest.
After only one game back from a hip injury with the Rabbitohs, Cameron Murray was called into the NSW outfit for Game II in the No.13 jersey, replacing Cameron McInnes.
Panthers star Isaah Yeo is also on the bench, and is one of the game’s elite locks and Ennis believes he will come into the run-on side when teams are finalised an hour before kick-off.
“Still intrigued to see what they do with Cameron Murray named at No.13, there’s no doubt he can do that and he’s obviously one of the elite players in the competition,” Ennis said on NRL Tonight.
“But he’s only one game back with South Sydney, and the form of Isaah Yeo throughout the whole season leads me to think there may be a late change there.”
BIG BETS FLOW LATE AS MAD PUNTER PUTS $95K ON QLD
With less than two hours before kick-off in State of Origin II in Melbourne, and big bets are starting to flow in, including one punter outlaying $95,000 with the TAB for Queensland to cover a line of -3.5.
With the line paying $1.90, this punter is looking at return of $180,500 if Queensland can wrap up the series by 4 points or more tonight.
TAB spokesperson Rohan Welsh says that most of the money has been coming in for NSW, with Mitch Moses heavily backed in the Player of the Match market, while Latrell Mitchell to score the first try, a double or a hat-trick are also popular.
In some other big bets, there is a $25,000 bet on NSW -1.5 at $1.85, another punter has a$24,000 multi bet on NSW -1.5 and Total points over 36.5 at $3.50, there is also a $20,000 multi bet for NSW -1.5 and total points over 38.5, as well as a $10,000 bet on NSW -1.5.
What’s gambling really costing you? For free and confidential support, call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
PANTHERS REVEAL CHANCES OF CLEARY INJURY RETURN
—Martin Gabor
The Panthers are cautiously optimistic that champion halfback Nathan Cleary will make his return from a hamstring injury for their round 20 match against the Dolphins next month, effectively ruling him out of a miracle comeback for the Blues in game 3.
Cleary hasn’t played since scans revealed a grade 2 hamstring tear against the Bulldogs in round 10 in what was just his second game back from a similar injury suffered in the grand final rematch.
The triple premiership winner has been restricted to just five appearances this season after he conjured the greatest grand final comeback last year, but the Panthers have handled his absence well to sit second with the best defensive record.
The initial timeline on his return was for Cleary to miss eight weeks, but it looks like Panthers fans will have to wait a little longer for their home match on July 21, ruling him out of a shock comeback for Origin III.
“We’re hopeful (that he’ll be back) after our next bye,” Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said.
“We’ve got a couple of games and then a bye, but that hasn’t been confirmed. He’s steadily going through his rehab and it’s going well. Let’s hope he keeps going well.
“That was a fairly loose target and it hasn’t been confirmed, but his rehab is going well.
“(His return date) has nothing to do with how we’ve been playing. This decision was made from the time he had the second injury.
“The bye is a part of it because if your team’s not here, you miss full team training which actually adds to the length of the rehab. At this stage everything is on track.”
Cleary has resumed training but is weeks away from peak fitness, with the Panthers unwilling to risk their most important player as they chase a fourth title in a row.
“He’s running but he’s a bit off hitting top speed and doing everything with the team. He’s gradually getting there,” his dad said.
“He’s well aware of the plan and everything involved. The last thing we all want is a re-injury.
“We’ve probably done more this time in and around looking into as many things as we could find (to help him) and we’re really comfortable with the approach we’ve taken. We’re very confident he’ll be fine.”
NSW ‘filthy’ over Slater tardiness
NSW figures were “filthy” Billy Slater left Blues coach Michael Maguire waiting the day before Wednesday night’s State of Origin blockbuster.
That’s the opinion of Dean Ritchie, who shared the thoughts privately coming from inside the NSW camp.
Ritchie said on Sky Sports Radio on Wednesday morning NSW was “miffed” when the Maroons camp arrived late for Tuesday’s final media event in Melbourne before Game 2 at the MCG.
It has been widely reported there is friction between Maguire and Slater after the pair exchanged thinly-veiled verbal barbs in the wake of Joseph Suaalii’s ugly hit on fullback Reece Walsh during the Maroons’ victory in the series opener.
It’s why the sight of Slater, Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Storm hooker Harry Grant leaving the Blues waiting at Tuesday’s promotional event in Federation Square has raised eyebrows.
“The Blues were filthy, and Queensland’s tardiness has added further tension and hostility to a volatile build-up to State of Origin II,” Ritchie previously reported.
Slater and Maguire were seen behind the scenes shaking hands briefly before completing their media commitments without exchanging another word.
Ritchie said on Tuesday it was “quite awkward” seeing Slater and Maguire ignore each other.
“The Blues were privately a little bit miffed though, it was for 12.30pm, they were ready to go at twenty past 12 and Queensland lobbed in at twenty to one,” he said on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“And then even when Billy got there, Madge was waiting at the gate to go onto the stage and Billy decided to do some autographs and selfies. That’s fine to promote the game down here, I get it. But at the same time it took them another few minutes and they were close to 15 minutes late onto the stage.”
Speaking to NSW legend and Big Sports Breakfast radio host Laurie Daley, Ritchie said: “You know what it’s like Laurie, those little things tend to irritate you when you’re 24 hours out from the game.
“And it certainly did with the Blues.”
When asked if he thought it was a deliberate tactic, Ritchie replied: “I don’t know Laurie, you’d have to ask Billy that. I don’t know how you can be late when you work to a stringent itinerary.”
Maguire did address Queensland’s late arrival and told The Telegraph: “Well, I always like to turn up on time.”
Ritchie said: “I guess that was Madge’s roundabout way of saying, ‘Yes it did give me the you-know-whats’.”
Ahead of game two, check out the top 10 entertainers poised to light up the MCG.
PUNTERS DESERT LATRELL FOR BLUES SMOKEY
Halfback Mitch Moses was only recalled to the NSW side last week but is already the best-backed player to claim man-of-the-match honours at the MCG tonight.
Moses was named in the Blues team after Nicho Hynes was dumped for a modest performance in Sydney.
And the punters are all over Moses, who now holds 20 per cent of the pool through a late plunge.
NSW fullback Dylan Edwards has also secured some late money.
Moses is now paying $10 at TAB to win player-of-the-match from Edwards ($9), Queensland’s Daly Cherry-Evans ($8.50) and Maroons teammate Reece Walsh ($6.50).
“Mitchell Moses is now best backed to be man-of-the-match and Dylan Edwards has also overtaken Latrell Mitchell in betting, so they clearly see the swapping out of Nicho Hynes and James Tedesco as good moves,” said TAB’s Rohan Welsh.
“As big an inclusion as Latrell Mitchell is, Moses needs to have a major influence and be that general for NSW to win you would think.
“Still, it’s an interesting take from TAB punters, because as maligned as he can be, the outlays for Moses absolutely dwarf that of his rival Daly Cherry-Evans who was superb as game one player of the match.”
Despite losing game one, NSW is $1.74 favourite with Queensland $2.10 outsiders.
“The weight of money on the Blues levelling the series is quite remarkable considering the performance in game one, albeit a man down for most of the game,” Welsh said.
“It will be a big result for punters as well as Michael Maguire if the Blues get up, put it that way.
“I’m not sure which is more unlikely, seeing Queensland go from $1.65 favourites out past even-money to $2.10 or NSW being trimmed from $2.40 into $1.74 and threatening to get tighter as the outlays continue to come for them leading up to kick-off.
“Punters think it will be a big win too with NSW 13+ the most popular margin option in TAB’s markets.
“Most of this has been on the back of Latrell’s recall, as he dominates all the try-scoring bets, but now we’re also seeing changes to the player-of-the-match markets, indicating the punters see this as an all-round stronger Blues outfit.”
Queensland’s Xavier Coates and NSW’s Zac Lomax are equal $10 favourites to be first try scorer.
-Dean Ritchie
MAROONS BUILDING AROUND SPEEDSTERS TO PUNISH BLUES
Maroons pivot Tom Dearden has vowed to unleash Reece Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow with Queensland urged to give the dynamic duo a licence to thrill in Origin II on Wednesday night.
Tabuai-Fidow buried the Blues with a hat-trick in Origin I and the return of Walsh from concussion gives the Maroons a lethal one-two attacking punch in Game Two at the MCG.
The ‘Hammer’ charged for 183 metres in Queensland’s 38-10 rout in the series opener, while Walsh is itching to link with his fellow speedster after playing just seven minutes before being wiped out by the Blues.
Dearden is the five-eighth tasked with servicing Queensland’s backline and he vowed to feed a hungry Walsh and Tabuai-Fidow at every opportunity as the Maroons look to kill off the Blues in straight sets.
“Speed kills and they have loads of it,” Dearden said of Walsh and Tabuai-Fidow.
“Hammer just puts himself in a position to score tries and to support – the way he filled in at fullback (for Walsh) was awesome.”
Asked if he plans to get them early ball, Dearden said: “Definitely. They both have loads of speed and loads of skill so it will be awesome to see those two combine and hopefully we can give them the ball in some space.
“They are both speedsters and really good support players, so they will be putting themselves in a position to make plays and to get the ball.”
Queensland coach Billy Slater lamented the Maroons’ inability to fully delve into their bag of tricks in Game One after Walsh was forced to leave the field.
This time, injury or concussion permitting, Slater wants the Maroons to have Blues defenders constantly on edge about potential incursions from Walsh and Tabuai-Fidow anywhere across the park.
At training on Monday, Tabuai-Fidow was seen roaming and cutting back infield on angled variations.
Walsh did the same before Game One and is set to be deployed in much the same tactical vein as NSW champion James Tedesco, who often troubled Queensland by lurking around the rucks.
Walsh can either skirt to the edges, using his searing pace to create an overlap on backman plays, or change-up his game by hunting through the midfield looking to expose tired NSW defenders.
Slater, the code’s greatest fullback, knows backfield play better than anyone. He has encouraged Walsh and Tabuai-Fidow to play what they see and not be afraid to make errors under pressure.
Former Queensland Origin lock Scott Sattler says the Maroons have only scratched the surface of the Walsh-Hammer attacking alliance.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Hammer is given a free rein to attack wherever he wants,” Sattler said.
“I would expect Reece and Hammer to roam all over the field and attack NSW wherever they want.
“Who knows what Queensland can do if Reece and Hammer are on the same field at the same time, so hopefully in Game Two we get the opportunity to see that.
“We always see Walsh hooking around those edges and using his passing game for the Broncos, but when you have Billy Slater as coach, who was the greatest fullback ever and covered every part of the field, he will take Reece to another level.
“We will see a completely different Reece Walsh under his coaching, where he can come through the middle and run off a Pat Carrigan offload, or even take off himself out of dummy half.
“Guys like Walsh and Hammer will relish the MCG conditions. They will also use their speed in defence to get up on the NSW edge players and not allow them to wind up.”
Tabuai-Fidow plays his sixth game for Queensland on Wednesday night and Slater warned the 22-year-old, who has eight tries from just five matches, will only get better in the Origin arena.
“I think he has got a huge range of improvement left in his game whether he is playing fullback or in the centres,” Slater said.
“He has done a great job over the last two series.
“Hamiso is a big part of this team and feels more comfortable in this arena now.
“He gets an opportunity to play in the (centre) position that he prepared in, so he is a real weapon for us.”
Maroons hooker Ben Hunt believes the Walsh-Hammer union could be the decisive factor that propels Queensland to a third consecutive series win.
“Coaches always say you can’t coach speed,” he said.
“It is exciting to see them playing together.
“Having those two blokes in your side gives you confidence that they can produce something from nothing.”
-Peter Badel
CAN THE MAROONS OVERCOME MCG ‘DEMONS’?
Daly Cherry-Evans is wary of being outfoxed by his NSW halfback rival Mitchell Moses as the inspirational Maroons skipper returns to the scene of his brutal axing from the Queensland Origin team.
Cherry-Evans heads into Origin II on Wednesday night with the hot hand after a sublime man-of-the-match performance which sealed a 38-10 win in Game One and triggered the axing of Blues halfback Nicho Hynes.
But ‘DCE’ has his own demons to conquer at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which has become a house of horrors for a Queensland side battling a 29-year hoodoo dating back to 1995.
The Maroons have lost four of five Origin clashes at the ground, including a 26-18 defeat in 2015, which led to Cherry-Evans being dropped, triggering a three-year absence from the Queensland team.
Now 35, Cherry-Evans has blown his critics out of the water. No-one can any longer question his bona fides as one of Queensland’s finest playmakers. But the Maroons’ senior shot-caller is not satisfied, mindful of a NSW riposte and the threats posed by Moses and Blues bogeyman Latrell Mitchell. Moses will pose a different scrumbase threat to Cherry-Evans’ Game One adversary Hynes.
Moses is faster across the ground than Hynes, who played too lateral in Origin I, and has the varied kicking game to match Cherry-Evans, who put the boot in the Blues in the series opener.
Moses has done the job on Cherry-Evans before, as recently as Game Three last year. Granted, it was a dead rubber for Queensland, but Moses will be buoyed by the 24-10 victory that represented his maiden win as an Origin playmaker.
As Queensland halfback, Cherry-Evans has lost just once in his past five games, underlining how well Moses did to outpoint him at Homebush.
“He has come onto the Origin scene in the last couple of seasons,” Cherry-Evans said of Moses.
“He is someone they feel is the best option behind Nathan (Cleary) and that’s not a bad place to be behind, because Nathan Cleary is a great player.
“I know that feeling myself, being behind Nathan (in the Australian team).
“When you get your chance, you have to maximise it.”
Cherry-Evans dismissed concerns about Queensland’s dismal record at the MCG.
“I played there in 2015,” he said.
“I didn’t know our record there until someone told me the other day.
“We don’t play there consistently enough to concern ourselves with any hoodoo.
“Most players in rugby league and I’m sure in professional sport aren’t really fussed about hoodoos.
“Every year is different, every series is different. The players change, the coaches change and it’s the same in this regard.
“There’s no reason for us to think about hoodoos, we’re going down to Melbourne with a job to do and that’s our mindset.
“I’m really confident.”
-Peter Badel
EXPERTS’ TIPS
The NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons square off at Melbourne’s MCG tonight for the second match of the 2024 State of Origin series – this is how our experts see the game unfolding.
PHIL ROTHFIELD
NSW by 4
A much stronger attacking force with Latrell Mitchell and Dylan Edwards in the side. However the Blues need midfield dominance and it’s time for Payne Haas to step up on the Origin stage.
First try: Stephen Crichton
Man of the match: Latrell Mitchell
Bold prediction: Billy Slater has picked Felise Kaufusi over David Fifita for one reason – they want to bash us. There is no other possible explanation for Fifita being brushed. Kaufusi has a long history of illegal activity/foul play in big games like this one. He’ll be targeting our playmakers from the moment he gets out there.
PETER BADEL
NSW by 6
The Blues have picked a much better side and will be more desperate with their series on the line. Latrell Mitchell loves the big stage. Bring on a Suncorp decider.
First try: Dylan Edwards
Man of the match: Payne Haas
Bold prediction: Blues enforcer Payne Haas to silence critics with the greatest game of his Origin career by running for 200-plus metres and proving why he is the NRL’s No. 1 prop.
DEAN RITCHIE
NSW by 10
New-look side with plenty of strike. Mitchell Moses’ long kicking game and Latrell Mitchell’s brilliance will be the difference.
First try: Latrell Mitchell
Man of the match: Mitchell Moses
Bold prediction: The Blues will terrorise Reece Walsh again from the opening whistle. Although they’ll keep it legal in game two, the Blues won’t be bullied into changing their tactics in silencing the Maroons’ fullback.
BRENT READ
Queensland by 2
The Blues have picked a better team but the return of Reece Walsh will supercharge the Maroons to a series win. Walsh only played seven minutes in Origin I after being KO’d and he will be champing at the bit in Melbourne.
First try: Xavier Coates
Man of the match: Reece Walsh
Bold prediction: Latrell Mitchell will wreak havoc and score a couple of tries but it won’t be enough to get NSW over the line.
ROBERT CRADDOCK
Queensland by 2
It’s the 30th anniversary of Mark Coyne’s “miracle’’ try and don’t be surprised if this match is decided by a similar work of art.
First try: Latrell Mitchell
Man of the match: Pat Carrigan
Bold prediction: AFL scouts, aware that Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow used to idolise Buddy Franklin, seek him out after the game about a possible return, saying “it’s so sad to see you wasting your talent in league.’’
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