Veteran benched in huge call, snubbed star gets surprise start as Blues confirm team for Origin II

NSW coach Brad Fittler has confirmed his Blues team for Origin II with two players to make their debut and a surprise call.

NSW Blues 17 confirmed for Game 2

Brad Fittler has confirmed his 17 for Origin II with two players to make their debut and surprise call on the No.9 jersey.

Api Koroisau has been given the nod for starting hooker over Damien Cook with the latter being named on the bench.

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Meanwhile, Matt Burton will make his debut in the centres and Sharks powerhouse Siosifa Talakai will debut off the bench.

Jake Trbojevic, who has been recalled after missing out on selection for game one, will start at prop and Cameron Murray will start in the second row with Angus Crichton on the bench.

It comes after Fittler made seven changes to the extended squad on Sunday night ahead of the Blues’ must-win clash with the Maroons in Perth.

Eels pair Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Ryan Matterson have been dropped, while Knights stars Tyson Frizell and Jacob Saifiti were not considered due to injury.

The other new faces in the squad are Roosters star Victor Radley, Eels skipper Clint Gutherson and Cowboys prop Jordan McLean — who are all in the reserves.

NSW TEAM FOR ORIGIN II

1. James Tedesco (c) (Sydney Roosters)

2. Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)

3. Matt Burton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

4. Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers)

5. Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)

6. Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers)

7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)

8. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)

9. Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers)

10. Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

11. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

12. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)

13. Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)

14. Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

15. Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)

16. Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)

17. Siosifa Talakai (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

18. Nicho Hynes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

19. Joseph Suaalii (Sydney Roosters)

20. Jordan McLean (North Queensland Cowboys)

21. Clint Gutherson (Parramatta Eels)

22. Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)

Coach: Brad Fittler

Blues coach Brad Fittler has made several change ahead of Origin II. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Fittler said he made the changes with impact in mind as the Blues desperately try to square the series after being outenthused by the Maroons pack in game one.

“We need to pick some players who are going to win. It’s all based around winning State of Origin,” Fittler told 9News Sydney.

“You pick players for impact, whether they’re starting or coming off the bench. At the end of the day, you want to see what sort of impact they have on the biggest stage.”

“NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has made seven changes to his 22-player squad for Game Two of the State of Origin series at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday 26 June,” the Blues said in a statement.

“The changes from the team which lost Game One 16-10 in Sydney include the additions of Matt Burton, Angus Crichton, Clint Gutherson, Jordan McLean, Victor Radley, Siosifa Talakai and Jake Trbojevic.

Your official @BrydensLawyers NSW Blues squad for Game Two in Perth 💪

Full story: https://t.co/xihK3r33PP#BackInBluepic.twitter.com/v7J3qTBO9L

— NSWBlues (@NSWBlues) June 19, 2022

“The squad also includes six players who are yet to make their debut for the Blues including Burton, McLean, Radley, Talakai, Nicho Hynes and Joseph Suaalii.

“Fittler will address the media early tomorrow morning before the team departs Sydney for Perth.

“The squad will spend the first part of camp at the beachside community of Scarborough before putting the finishing touches on their preparations in Perth from Friday 24 June.”

Originally published as Veteran benched in huge call, snubbed star gets surprise start as Blues confirm team for Origin II