NSW Blues have a major shake-up for Origin game two against Queensland

NSW coach Michael Maguire has swung the axe in his bid to keep this year’s State of Origin series against Queensland alive.

Latrell Mitchell and Mitchell Moses are expected to receive Origin recalls. Photos: AAP/Getty Images

Just one game into the 2024 series and the Blues have had a major overhaul, as first-year coach Michael Maguire tries to rebound from a heavy 38-10 defeat to Queensland in game one in Sydney.

The suspended Joseph Suaalii has made way following his early send-off for a high shot on Reece Walsh that effectively ended the opening game as a contest, with Latrell Mitchell earning a long-awaited recall.

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The NSW halves, the centre positions and the all-important bench were all tipped for a shake-up and that has proven the case.

Mitch Moses is back for another crack at halfback, replacing Nicho Hynes, while Cam Murray and bolter Connor Watson are also in a new-look squad for game two at the MCG on June 26.

Check out all the rolling highlights and reaction for Sunday’s squad announcement below (all times AEST).

Latrell Mitchell and Mitchell Moses are close to Origin recalls. Photos: AAP/Getty Images

7.28pm – Fans aren’t impressed by the squad

It’s fair to say a number of NSW fans still don’t believe Maguire has picked the squad needed to even up the ledger and prevent the Maroons winning a third straight series.

The Blues have shaken up the squad after the game one mauling, a trait that has beset too many NSW sides over the last couple of decades.

While Queensland tend to pick and stick, albeit often with superior, settled talent, the Blues have made wholesale changes for game two and it isn’t going down well.

“Every year they swing the axe, what’s new?” was a comment on news.com.au sport’s Facebook page.

“Why can’t NSW find a team, we change every game and every year, this coach has no idea,” was another comment.

“He’s make a huge mistake by changing Hynes to Moses. That’s not the issue,” offered another.

“NSW are panicking,” added a fourth.

Time will tell.

7.12pm – Moses picked to save the Blues

The team is in, with Moses indeed named at halfback for his fourth career Origin match.

Jake Trbojevic has retained the captaincy, while Latrell Mitchell, Connor Watson and Cam Murray are all in the extended 20-man squad.

NSW State of Origin squad for game 2:

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Brian To’o

3. Stephen Crichton

4. Latrell Mitchell

5. Zac Lomax

6. Jarome Luai

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Jake Trbojevic (c)

9. Reece Robson

10. Payne Haas

11. Liam Martin

12. Angus Crichton

13. Cameron Murray

14. Connor Watson

15. Isaah Yeo

16. Haumole Olakau’atu

17. Spencer Leniu

18. Mitchell Barnett

19. Cameron McInnes

20. Luke Keary

6.50pm – Edwards finally gets his shot

After his false start for game one after a hugely unfortunate quad injury in NSW training, Dylan Edwards will wear the No. 1 jumper at the MCG, replacing James Tedesco.

The three-time premiership winning Panther only had to get through Sunday’s clash with Newcastle to get his spot and he has done just that.

Edwards ran for a game-high 278 metres, scored the match-sealing try in the 26-18 victory and is a certain NSW debutant, although he was being coy after the match on the Matty Johns Show.

“No, no mail Matty, do you know anything?” he said with a smirk at McDonald Jones Stadium.

“We’ll find out soon hopefully.”

6.22pm – Another Blue bites the dust

Cameron McInnes is another Blue to lose his place in Maguire’s new squad.

The Sharks lock played 48 minutes in game one on debut, but he is facing the axe, with Bunny Cameron Murray to be added to the bench.

Murray has represented NSW 13 times and returned from a hip injury in South Sydney’s 22-12 win over the Broncos on Friday night.

McInnes is at least expected to retain his place in the extended squad as injury cover.

Workhorse McInnes is another Blue set to lose his spot. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

6.10pm – The Moses debate intensifies

Mitch Moses is expected to replace Hynes in the No. 7 and have the chance to add to his three NSW appearances to date.

The boys on the Matty Johns Show discussed his form since Moses returned from a fractured foot for the Eels in round 13.

“In the first halves he’s been dominant. In the second half I’m not sure what happens to him, I think he steps back a bit,” former NSW second-rower Bryan Fletcher said.

“For Parra to do anything this year, he’s the key. The more time he’s involved, the better it is for the Eels.”

Johns then gave his take.

“There’s no doubt he’s the favourite,” he said. “I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t get named.”

6pm – Nicho’s papers officially stamped

Nicho Hynes may have played his second and last Origin match after a disappointing effort in game one.

Hynes played just 12 minutes in the unfamiliar position of centre from the bench in game one of last year’s series under then-coach Brad Fittler.

While he played all 80 minutes in this year’s opening game, most observers feel he didn’t control the side from halfback and cause Queensland anywhere enough headaches.

He will be dropped for the MCG clash, with The Daily Telegraph reporting Maguire has already made the call to the Cronulla star, with Mitch Moses the hot tip to earn a recall.

Hynes has likely played his second and final match in the Sky Blue jumper. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

5.42pm – Turbo senior to get another shot

Jake Trbojevic was a surprise choice as captain for the Blues in game one.

The head scratching then intensified when the debut skipper played just 29 minutes in the bloodbath in Sydney.

The lock played 80 minutes in Manly’s impressive 30-14 victory over the Dragons on Sunday, even crossing the line for one of the Sea Eagles’ six tries, and he will have another shot in the armband at the MCG.

5.20pm – Take two for Dylan Edwards

One of the biggest talking points leading into game one was Dylan Edwards’ selection ahead of stalwart and incumbent skipper James Tedesco at fullback.

As debate raged among the league family about the decision, Edwards’ quad injury in training then forced Maguire to turn once again to the Roosters custodian.

With the Penrith No. 1 now fit and firing again, he is expected to finally get a chance to demonstrate his irresistible club form on the Origin stage.

He’s got the headshot, now Edwards should finally get on the field for NSW. Picture: NRL Photos

4.55pm – A bolter looms for the Blues

Connor Watson missed the entire 2023 season with a patellar tendon injury and then had his game one Origin hopes ruined after he was struck in the throat against the Sharks in round 11.

But the versatile 28-year-old returned to play 80 minutes in the Roosters’ 28-18 win over Parramatta on Saturday night and he is firming for a bench spot for the Blues.

His club coach was pushing Watson’s claims after the victory against the Eels.

“I think he was in contention for game one … and I was about to put him out there at centre tonight, he can play hooker, he can play 13, he can play six,” Trent Robinson said.

“But his biggest asset is his energy. He makes other guys feel really good about the way that they play. His communication skills are high, he’s an incredible teammate.

“I think he put his hand up and we’ll see what they decide.”

Connor Watson is tipped to earn a dream call-up to the Blues for game two. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The man himself was interviewed on The Continuous Call Team on 2GB on Sunday and said he’s loving being back on the field, having played 11 matches so far for the Tricolours.

“It would be a dream come true if it was to happen,” he said.

“We’ll see what happens, I haven’t heard anything yet, but I’ve just been really enjoying getting back out there and playing footy.

“Obviously I missed a lot of footy last year … so just getting back out there and playing footy has been the best thing.”

4.20pm – Latrell is just about back in Sky Blue

It has been three long years since Latrell Mitchell played the last of his seven Origins for his state.

There was controversy around his supposed commitment to the cause earlier this year as the 26-year-old missed game one selection and stated his intent to focus on helping the Rabbitohs turn around their season.

South Sydney and the damaging fullback have returned to form in recent weeks and he is considered a certainty to replace Suaalii in the NSW squad.

The Rabbitohs star is expected to return to his old position at left centre for the Blues, with Bulldogs star Stephen Crichton to take the centre spot on the right edge.

Mitchell Moses is poised for another crack at the NSW No. 7 jumper. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

3.55pm – Yet another No. 7 for the Blues?

Since Andrew Johns hung up his boots, NSW has struggled to pick and stick with one halfback for a variety of reasons.

Mitchell Pearce, Todd Carney, Trent Hodkinson, Adam Reynolds and Mitch Moses are some of the names to don the No. 7 over the past 15 years.

Nathan Cleary mostly owned the jumper since his debut in 2018, with Moses’ three opportunities all falling while Cleary was sidelined by injury.

That appears to be his fate once again, with Cleary recovering from a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him from playing any of this year’s series.

After Moses returned from his own injury problems for the Eels in round 13, he is tipped to replace Nicho Hynes, who didn’t do enough in game one to warrant his retention.

Originally published as NSW Blues have a major shake-up for Origin game two against Queensland