Origin Late Mail: Blues, Maroons to line up 1-19
The Blues and Maroons will line up 1-19 with no late changes for Game Two of the Origin series at the MCG.
Reserve players Haumole Olakau'atu and Heilum Luki made way an hour before klck-off and there are no late changes to the starting line-ups.
Blues five-eighth Mitch Moses hasn't played a game since Round 11 but will take his place at the MCG.
Moses injured his hamstring two days before the series opener in Sydney and was still under a cloud at the beginning of the Blues' Game Two camp.
The Eels playmaker has since been cleared to play and will line up for his seventh Origin appearance and first since Game One, 2025.
Panthers young gun Casey McLean won't be there in Melbourne after straining a quad muscle at training on Saturday morning.
The Blues were going through their paces at Polytec Stadium in Gosford when the 20-year-old suffered the injury.
Manly flyer Tolu Koula moves into the centres and Mark Nawaqanitwase comes in on the wing for his Origin debut while Dolphins winger Jack Bostock joins the six-man bench and could also make his debut at this level.
Maroons forward Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has rejoined his teammates in camp in Melbourne following the death of his father Fereti.
Fa'asuamaleaui stayed with family in Queensland with his family after his father passed away on Saturday but has since travelled to Melbourne and looks set to play in Game Two.
"It is obviously a very tricky situation and all raw and emotional but we have all got Tino's back and the family's back," said Maroons hooker Harry Grant.
"If he decides to come and play we will have his back too."
Laurie Daley's men are looking to wrap up the 2026 State of Origin series while the Queensland Maroons are out to force a decider on their home turf at Suncorp Stadium.
After losing last year's series 2-1, the Blues have given themselves a gilt-edged opportunity to regain the shield courtesy of a heart-stopping 22-20 victory in Game One.
The Maroons looked to be in total control of Game One before Kalyn Ponga was sent off in the 53rd minute, with the Blues scoring three tries in the space of 16 minutes to turn a 20-6 deficit into a two-point win that gives them the advantage heading to Melbourne.
The MCG has been a happy hunting ground for the Blues with wins in five of the six matches played at the iconic venue, including a stunning 38-18 triumph in Game Two in 2024 after leading 34-0 at half-time.
Queensland's only MCG success came in 1995 under the guidance of the great Paul 'Fatty' Vautin, who led a team of underdogs to a famous series sweep of a highly fancied Blues outfit skippered by Brad Fittler.
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 2 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Melbourne, Every bit different.
Melbourne is as diverse as its endless list of things to see and do. For sports fans, it’s a true mecca, with world-class events just a short walk or tram ride away putting you right in the heart of the action.
Team News
NSW Blues: The Blues are 1-19 with no late changes on game day. Prop Payne Haas returns after missing Game One due to a knee injury and five-eighth Mitchell Moses is also back on deck after recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered at training just days out from the series opener. Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau joins the bench with Blayke Brailey (arm) sidelined. Casey McLean is out after injuring his quad at training on Saturday so Tolu Koula moves to the centres and Mark Nawaqanitawase comes in on the wing for his Origin debut while Dolphins winger Jack Bostock is also a potential debutant. Back-rower Dylan Lucas plays his first Origin match in place of Haumole Olakau'atu, who is the 20th man.
Qld Maroons: The Maroons are 1-19 with no late changes. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui rejoined his teammates in camp in Melbourne on Monday following the death of his father Fereti on Saturday. The Maroons forward has indicated he is keen to play on Wednesday night. Broncos superstar Reece Walsh is line to play his first Origin since Game Three, 2024 after being named on Billy Slater's bench for the MCG. Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi also joins the interchange after making his return from a concussion lay-off in Round 14. Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is set for his Origin debut after being promoted to the bench to replace Bronco Pat Carrigan, who will miss the rest of the series with an ankle injury. Fellow Broncos Gehamat Shibasaki (knee) and Ezra Mam (omitted) both make way from the Game One squad. Cowboy Heilum Luki has been named in No.20.
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 2 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Blues is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Maroons is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Blues is number 2 Brian To'oWinger for Maroons is number 2 Selwyn Cobbo
-
Centre for Blues is number 3 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Maroons is number 3 Robert Toia
-
Centre for Blues is number 4 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Maroons is number 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Winger for Blues is number 5 Mark NawaqanitawaseWinger for Maroons is number 5 Jojo Fifita
-
Five-Eighth for Blues is number 6 Mitchell MosesFive-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Blues is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Maroons is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Blues is number 8 Payne HaasProp for Maroons is number 8 Thomas Flegler
-
Hooker for Blues is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Maroons is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Blues is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Maroons is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
-
2nd Row for Blues is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Kurt Capewell
-
Lock for Blues is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Maroons is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Blues is number 14 Cameron MurrayInterchange for Maroons is number 14 Max Plath
-
Interchange for Blues is number 15 Victor RadleyInterchange for Maroons is number 15 Lindsay Collins
-
Interchange for Blues is number 16 Addin Fonua-BlakeInterchange for Maroons is number 16 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
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Interchange for Blues is number 18 Ethan StrangeInterchange for Maroons is number 17 Trent Loiero
Reserves
-
Reserve for Blues is number 17 Apisai KoroisauReserve for Maroons is number 18 Reece Walsh
-
Reserve for Blues is number 19 Jack BostockReserve for Maroons is number 19 Murray Taulagi
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Blues have won Game Two in six of the past eight series.
- The Blues have taken a 2-0 series lead only five times since 2000.
- James Tedesco will play his 25th Origin to become the third most capped Blues player.
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow requires one try to join Valentine Holmes as Origin’s third highest tryscorer.
Melbourne, Every bit different.
Melbourne is as diverse as its endless list of things to see and do. For sports fans, it’s a true mecca, with world-class events just a short walk or tram ride away putting you right in the heart of the action.
