Queensland announces surprise team shake-up for Origin Game 2

Queensland coach Billy Slater has made some big team changes for Game 2 of the State of Origin series with one star set to make his debut.

Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Maroons head coach Billy Slater. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

Queensland coach Billy Slater has been forced to make some big changes to his team for State of Origin Game 2.

After pulling off a shock upset win in the series opener in Sydney, Slater has been forced to make some surprise selections, including giving Cowboys speedster Murray Taulagi a chance to make his Origin debut on the wing.

Jai Arrow has also been brought back into the Maroons’ side after he was axed from camp last season for breaching COVID-19 protocols.

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Another big change is the decision to promote Roosters star Lindsay Collins from the bench to start at prop.

Slater turned to Collins to wear the No. 8 jumper after Reuben Cotter’s hamstring injury saw the coach shift Titans forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to move to lock.

Queensland celebrate during their Game 1 ambush. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

Taulagi has won the battle over Broncos winger Corey Oates, who has been named in the extended squad. Taulagi is replacing Xavier Coates after the Storm star suffered a serious ankle injury in the series opener.

Queensland can wrap up the series in Perth on Sunday — or the Blues can send it to a series decider in Game 3 at Suncorp Stadium.

The Maroons’ team announcement comes after NSW coach Brad Fittler swung the axe when announcing the Blues’ team for Game 2 with five changes to the team that was defeated in Sydney.

Queensland team for Origin Game 2:

Lindsay Collins had a huge start to the series. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

1. Kalyn Ponga - Newcastle Knights

2. Selwyn Cobbo - Brisbane Broncos

3. Valentine Holmes - North Queensland Cowboys

4. Dane Gagai - Newcastle Knight

5. Murray Taulagi - North Queensland Cowboys

6. Cameron Munster - Melbourne Storm

7. Daly Cherry-Evans - Manly Sea Eagles

8. Lindsay Collins - Sydney Roosters

9. Ben Hunt - St George Illawarra Dragons

10. Josh Papalii - Canberra Raiders

11. Kurt Capewell - Brisbane Broncos

12. Felise Kaufusi - Melbourne Storm

13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui - Gold Coast Titans

14. Harry Grant - Melbourne Storm

15. Jai Arrow - South Sydney Rabbitohs

16. Patrick Carrigan - Brisbane Broncos

17. Jeremiah Nanai - North Queensland Cowboys

18. Tom Dearden - North Queensland Cowboys

19. Thomas Flegler - Brisbane Broncos

20. Beau Fermor - Gold Coast Titans

21. Corey Oates - Brisbane Broncos

22. Reece Walsh - Warriors

Originally published as Queensland announces surprise team shake-up for Origin Game 2