Blues v Maroons: Lucas to debut; Walsh recalled
The Westpac NSW Blues head to the sporting mecca that is the Melbourne Cricket Ground 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
Team News
NSW Blues: Knights back-rower Dylan Lucas will make his Origin debut while Casey McLean comes into the starting side at centre in place of the injured Stephen Crichton (shoulder). Prop Payne Haas returns after missing Game One due to a knee injury and five-eighth Mitch 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 and Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase have been added to the six-man bench. Manly back-rower Haumole Olakau'atu has been dropped and Knights prop Jacob Saifiti also makes way after he was an unused reserve in Game One.
Qld Maroons: 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.
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
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Centre for Blues is number 3 Casey McLeanCentre for Maroons is number 3 Robert Toia
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Centre for Blues is number 4 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Maroons is number 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
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Winger for Blues is number 5 Tolutau KoulaWinger for Maroons is number 5 Jojo Fifita
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Five-Eighth for Blues is number 6 Mitchell MosesFive-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron Munster
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Halfback for Blues is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Maroons is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
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Prop for Blues is number 8 Payne HaasProp for Maroons is number 8 Thomas Flegler
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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
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2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Kurt Capewell
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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
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Interchange for Blues is number 15 Victor RadleyInterchange for Maroons is number 15 Lindsay Collins
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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 17 Apisai KoroisauInterchange for Maroons is number 17 Trent Loiero
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Interchange for Blues is number 18 Ethan StrangeInterchange for Maroons is number 18 Reece Walsh
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Interchange for Blues is number 19 Mark NawaqanitawaseInterchange for Maroons is number 19 Murray Taulagi
Reserves
-
Reserve for Blues is number 20 Haumole Olakau'atuReserve for Maroons is number 20 Heilum Luki
Blues Ins
- Apisai Koroisau
- Dylan Lucas
- Mark Nawaqanitawase
- Mitchell Moses
- Payne Haas
Maroons Ins
- Heilum Luki
- Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
- Murray Taulagi
- Reece Walsh
Blues Outs
- Blayke Brailey
- Jacob Saifiti
- Matt Burton
- Stephen Crichton
Maroons Ins
- Ezra Mam
- Gehamat Shibasaki
- Patrick Carrigan
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Maroons 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.
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