Matters of State: Big names in mix as Blues mull changes for decider

Outside Backs 

The big names are back on deck, with Stephen Crichton, Trbojevic and Bradman Best all making successful returns to the field last weekend. Throw in Mitchell, who could be named for the Rabbitohs this weekend and Daley has plenty of options out wide. 

Centre Kotoni Staggs struggled on a forgettable night at the MCG, while winger Mark Nawaqanitawase impressed with ball in hand but had a tough time defensively in his Origin debut.

Brian To'o has also been below his typically high standards throughout the series and had another error in Game Two. 

The winger is likely to retain his place but Daley's biggest question is what he does with his centres. Both Mitchell and Trbojevic have dominated the Origin arena in the past and could be the Blues gamebreakers at Suncorp Stadium. 

The Manly fullback has also played wing in the past, which would also open the door for Crichton or Best to return in the centres. 

Tolu Koula has been solid in two outings for NSW this year, on the wing in Game One before he shifted to the centre for the second match. Daley is likely to retain him in the side for the decider, but that would lead to a tough call about who to leave out of the side. 

The loss of Mitchell to a calf injury is a major blow for the Blues, however it does leave the coaching staff with one less headache as they look to fit multiple star players into the backline. 

Halves

Daley is expected to stick with Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary, but there have been some calls for Ethan Strange to return to the starting side. 

The youngster starred on debut in Game One but reverted to the bench after Moses overcame a hamstring injury to take his place at the MCG.

It was the five-eighth's first game in a month and the Blues hope he will be better for the run. 

While Moses is a steady playmaker, Strange is an unpredictable talent with plenty of X-factor. His ability to break the game open could work in his favour, but Moses currently has the inside running for the No.6 jumper. 

Hooker

The successful return of Blayke Brailey from a fractured arm has left Daley with the challenge of fitting three men into two positions. 

The Sharks co-captain helped turn Game One in NSW's favour when he was injected off the bench in the second half and has the running game to put the Maroons on the backfoot.

Reece Robson played the full 80-minutes in Melbourne and is a reliable player who puts in a consistent performance every time he takes to the field. 

Veteran Api Koroisau sat on the bench at the MCG but was not used despite repeated calls from Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith in the commentary box. 

The Tigers hooker is one of the craftiest players in the game and poses questions for opposition defenders with his fast hands and deception. 

Daley is likely to stick with Robson, leaving Brailey and Koroisau in a battle for a spot on the interchange but plenty of smart judges are pushing for Brailey to start. 

Back Row

One of Daley's most contentious decisions for Origin II was the selection of Dylan Lucas over Haumole Olakau'atu. The move thrust Lucas into an unfamiliar role on the right edge for his Blues debut and the rookie struggled under heavy pressure from the Maroons. 

Queensland repeatedly picked apart the edge of Lucas, Staggs and Nawaqanitawase, scoring five tries down that side of the field. 

Olakau'atu was back to his best for the Sea Eagles on Saturday night and could slide straight back into the NSW back-row.

A right-edge player, the 27-year-old is one of the most damaging ball-carriers in the game and will provide the Blues plenty of punch if recalled for the decider. 

Liam Martin has been a mainstay for the Blues in recent years and has now played three games for the Panthers since returning from a knee injury. 

A proven performer at this level, he could also be rushed straight back into the starting side and is sure to get under the skin of the Maroons playmakers. 

Interchange

The use of the six-man benches was always going to be a fascinating wrinkle throughout this series and it has played out as expected. 

Queensland coach Billy Slater got it wrong in Game One when he declined to activate Gehamat Shibasaki once Kalyn Ponga was sent off while Daley hit the mark with his use of Brailey and Casey McLean. 

The roles reversed in Game Two, with Slater benefiting from his decision to hold back Reece Walsh, but the Blues missed the mark in the second half. 

Addin Fonua-Blake was not utilised until the 55th minute, and played just nine minutes, while Ethan Strange came on to the field with 16 minutes to play and Koroisau was not used at all.

Cam Murray had a big impact when utilised in the first half and could earn a promotion to the starting side. Such a move would either see Isaah Yeo drop back to the bench or shift to prop, with Mitchell Barnett reverting to the interchange.

After impressing at Accor Stadium, Victor Radley was below his best in Game Two and could be in danger of dropping off the bench in place of Martin or Olakau'atu. 

As mentioned above, Daley has a decision to make for his back-up hooker while he also could select one of his returning outside backs to provide versatility and impact late in the clash. 

Rookie Jack Bostock wasn't used in Melbourne, with Trbojevic shaping as an effective No.19 due to his ability to play fullback, wing and centre. Nawaqanitawase was originally named on the six-man bench before McLean injured his quad and could revert to that role for the decider. 

Everything will be on the line when NSW take on Queensland in an epic State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium. Don't miss any of the action on Wednesday July 8.