Source : ABC NEWS
The squads have been named and the players are in camp as this year’s second State of Origin instalment nears.
It’s a must-win game for Queensland, after a hammering on home turf saw them go down to the Blues 18-6 in Game I.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.
When is State of Origin Game II?
Game II of this year’s State of Origin will be played on this Wednesday, June 18.
Here’s the exact time the game will start in each time zone:
- 8:05pm AEST
- 7:35pm ACST
- 6:05pm AWST
Where is Game II being played?
Game II will be played at Perth Stadium in Western Australia, making this the neutral ground match of this series.
Just two State of Origin games have been played at the west coast venue, both of which have been triumphs for the Blues.
In 2019, NSW walked away with a comfortable win of 38-6.
Three years later in 2022, they won 44-12.
The Blues have enjoyed strong margins at Perth Stadium. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
Where can I watch the match?
It’s being broadcast on Channel Nine.
You’ll also be able to watch it on Nine’s streaming platform 9Now.
Because Nine has the exclusive rights to the matches, you won’t be able to watch tonight’s game on other streaming platforms like Kayo or Fox.
You can listen to coverage of the match on ABC Radio via the ABC listen app.
ABC Sport will live blog the match on the ABC News website.
Who is playing?
The headline change ahead of Game II came from the Maroons side, with coach Billy Slater opting to drop Daly Cherry-Evans from the squad.
It was the first time a Maroons captain was dropped mid-series in almost 30 years.
It means Cameron Munster will celebrate his 20th State of Origin match as Queensland’s new skipper.
With Tom Dearden now at halfback, Kurt Mann will take the #14 jersey.
Second-rower Beau Fermor was also dropped, with Kurt Capewell returning to the Maroons side.
For the Blues, coach Laurie Daley elevated Max King to the starting prop position to replace an injured Mitchell Barnett, making room for Stefano Utoikamanu to come into the 17.
Matt Burton, Keaon Koloamatangi and Lindsay Smith were also named on the extended bench.
Here are the full squads for both sides:
| Queensland | New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| Kalyn Ponga | 1 | Dylan Edwards |
| Xavier Coates | 2 | Brian To’o |
| Robert Toia | 3 | Stephen Crichton |
| Valentine Holmes | 4 | Latrell Mitchell |
| Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | 5 | Zac Lomax |
| Cameron Munster (c) | 6 | Mitchell Moses |
| Tom Dearden | 7 | Nathan Cleary |
| Moeaki Fotuaika | 8 | Max King |
| Harry Grant | 9 | Reece Robson |
| Tino Fa’asuamaleaui | 10 | Payne Haas |
| Reuben Cotter | 11 | Liam Martin |
| Kurt Capewell | 12 | Angus Crichton |
| Trent Loiero | 13 | Isaah Yeo (c) |
| Kurt Mann | 14 | Connor Watson |
| Lindsay Collins | 15 | Spencer Leniu |
| Jeremiah Nanai | 16 | Hudson Young |
| Patrick Carrigan | 17 | Stefano Utoikamanu |
| Ezra Mam | 18 | Matt Burton |
| Jack Howarth | 19 | Keaon Koloamatangi |
| Corey Horsburgh | 20 | Lindsay Smith |
When and where is Origin Game III?
The series finale will be held on Wednesday, July 9 at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
What about the Women’s State of Origin?
The series has already wrapped up.
The NSW Blues won two of the three women’s matches this year. (AAP: Dan Himbrechts)
New South Wales claimed victory, having won two of the three games.
Here are the scores from each match:
- Game I: NSW won 32-13
- Game II: NSW won 26-6
- Game III: QLD won 18-14
