Welcome to news.com.au’s live coverage of the announcement of the NSW team for the second State of Origin game in Melbourne.
Just one game into the 2024 series, the Blues are already facing a major restructure as new coach Michael Maguire looks to recover from a heavy 38-10 loss to Queensland in their first game in Sydney.
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Suspended Joseph Suaalii is one of the players to be sidelined after being sent off early for a high shot on Reece Walsh, effectively ending the opening game. Latrell Mitchell is set to make a long-awaited return to the team.
There are expected to be changes to NSW’s halves and midfielders, as well as the key bench, when Maguire announces his squad later on Sunday.
We have all the ongoing highlights for you here (all times AEST).
18:22 – Another Blue perishes
Cameron McInnes is another Blue who loses his place in Maguire’s new squad.
The Sharks lock played 48 minutes on his debut in the first game, but he is in danger of being sacked and Bunny Cameron Murray is set to be benched.
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.
18.10 – The Moses debate intensifies
Mitch Moses is expected to replace Hynes at No. 7 and get the chance to add to his three appearances for NSW.
The boys on the Matty John’s Show spoke about his form since Moses returned for the Eels in round 13 after breaking his foot.
“He was dominant in the first half. In the second half I’m not sure what happens to him. I think he backs off a bit,” said former NSW second-row forward Bryan Fletcher.
“For Parra to achieve something this year, he is the key.
“The more time he is in the game, the better it is for the Eels.”
Then Johns expressed his opinion.
“There is no doubt that he is the favorite,” he said.
“I would be surprised if he wasn’t mentioned.
6pm – Nicho’s papers are officially stamped
Nicho Hynes may have played his second and final Origin match after a disappointing performance in game one.
Hynes played only 12 minutes in the unfamiliar position of center from the bench in the first game of last year’s series under then-coach Brad Fittler.
Despite playing the full 80 minutes in the opening game of the year, most observers feel he did not control the team from the halfback position and did not give Queensland enough of a headache anywhere.
He will miss the MCG duel, with The Daily Telegraph According to reports, Maguire has already called the Cronulla star and Mitch Moses is the hot tip for a recall.
17:42 – Turbo Senior gets another chance
Jake Trbojevic was surprisingly chosen as captain of the Blues in the first game.
The headache became even greater when the debut captain only played 29 minutes in the bloodbath in Sydney.
The lock played 80 minutes in Manly’s impressive 30-14 win over the Dragons on Sunday, even crossing the line for one of the Sea Eagles’ six tries, and will have another chance to wear the captain’s armband at the MCG.
17:20 – Second attempt for Dylan Edwards
One of the biggest talking points before the first game was the selection of Dylan Edwards at full-back instead of loyal and incumbent captain James Tedesco.
While the decision was rife with debate within the league family, Edwards’ thigh injury in training forced Maguire to turn to the Roosters goalkeeper again.
With Penrith’s No. 1 now fit and able to play again, he is expected to finally get the chance to showcase his irresistible club form on the Origin stage.
16:55 – The Blues are threatened with a surprise goal
Connor Watson missed the entire 2023 season with a patellar tendon injury and his hopes of playing in the first Origin game were dashed when he took a hit to the throat in Round 11 against the Sharks.
But the versatile 28-year-old returned to play 80 minutes in the Roosters’ 28-18 win over Parramatta on Saturday night and has earned a place on the Blues’ bench.
His club coach supported Watson’s claims after the win against the Eels.
“I think he was in the running for the first game … and I was just going to put him at center tonight. He can play hooker, he can play 13, he can play 6,” Trent Robinson said.
“But his biggest asset is his energy. He makes other guys feel really good with the way he plays. He has great communication skills and is an incredible teammate.
“I think he raised his hand and we’ll see what they decide.”
The man himself was interviewed on The Continuous Call Team on 2GB on Sunday and said he was happy to be back on the field after making 11 appearances for the Tricolours so far.
“It would be a dream come true if that happened,” he said.
“We’ll see what happens. I haven’t heard anything yet, but I’m just really enjoying getting back out there and playing football.
“Obviously I missed a lot of football last year… so it was best to just get back out there and play football.”
16:20 – Latrell is almost back at Sky Blue
It has been three long years since Latrell Mitchell played the last of his seven Origins for his state.
His alleged commitment to the cause was controversial earlier in the year, with the 26-year-old missing out on selection for Game 1 and declaring his intention to focus on helping the Rabbitohs turn their season around.
South Sydney and the powerful fullback have returned to their old form in recent weeks and are considered a sure replacement for Suaalii in the NSW squad.
The Rabbitohs star is expected to return to his old position in the Blues’ left midfield, while Bulldogs star Stephen Crichton will take up the centre position on the right edge.
3:55 p.m. – Another No. 7 for the Blues?
Since Andrew Johns retired from football, NSW has found it difficult to choose and stick with a halfback for a variety of reasons.
Mitchell Pearce, Todd Carney, Trent Hodkinson, Adam Reynolds and Mitch Moses are some of the names who have worn the number 7 over the last 15 years.
Nathan Cleary has been the one to win the jump shots since his debut in 2018. Moses’ three chances all missed, while Cleary was out due to injury.
This appears to be his fate once again as Cleary recovers from a hamstring injury that is expected to prevent him from taking part in any of this year’s series.
After returning to the Eels in round 13 despite his injury problems, Moses is being tipped as a replacement for Nicho Hynes, who did not perform enough in the first game to justify his stay.