Laurie Daley is poised to make one of the toughest selection calls of his coaching career by dropping Origin debutant Ethan Strange despite the young five-eighth starring in New South Wales’ opening-game victory.
At the same time, Queensland coach Billy Slater is set to hand Reece Walsh a surprise recall despite the Broncos fullback enduring a difficult weekend that included defensive lapses, criticism from fans and a heated on-field exchange with a teammate.
The Origin teams are expected to be unveiled on Monday, with both coaches facing major decisions ahead of the June 17 showdown at the MCG.
Daley appears set to recall Mitch Moses after the Parramatta playmaker recovered from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the series opener in Brisbane.
The move would see Strange lose the No.6 jersey despite a remarkable debut in which he ran for 135 metres, broke the line, produced two line-break assists and scored a try in the Blues’ 22-20 victory.
The decision has sparked debate across rugby league circles, with former NRL winger Denan Kemp questioning why NSW would move away from a successful halves combination.
Laurie Daley is poised to recall Mitch Moses and axe Ethan Strange for State of Origin II
Strange looks set to pay the price despite helping NSW win Origin I on debut at Accor Stadium
Reece Walsh is expected to return for Queensland despite a difficult outing against the Titans
‘Let’s get the caveats out of the way, Mitch Moses is a gun,’ Kemp said on SEN.
‘He may come in and kill it, and I’ll not be surprised.
‘But what I can’t get is, let’s flip the scenarios right now.
‘Let’s say Sam Walker played like he did on the weekend and Queensland won, and [Cam] Munster was coming back in and Munster took Sam Walker’s spot at 7.
‘That sounds insane, doesn’t it? But that’s what we’re doing.
‘Mitch Moses is playing out of position, taking (the spot of) a genuine 6, the current Dally M [Five-Eighth of the Year].’
Kemp also rejected the suggestion that Moses is needed to take pressure off Nathan Cleary.
‘Help a four-time winning Premiership player run a team? Cleary doesn’t need help running the team,’ he said.
Payne Haas is also expected to return as NSW make changes to their forward pack
‘He needs a 6 that’s gonna accentuate what he does. I just don’t get this.’
Despite the criticism, Daley is expected to back Moses’ experience as the Blues attempt to seal the series.
There are also expected to be changes in the forwards.
Payne Haas is set to return to the starting side after missing Game I, while Addin Fonua-Blake is expected to shift back to the bench. Jacob Saifiti is reportedly facing the axe after failing to take the field in the series opener.
The final bench position remains undecided, with Api Koroisau and Connor Watson reportedly battling for the vacant utility role following Blayke Brailey’s injury.
Queensland’s biggest talking point centres around Walsh.
The Broncos star was overlooked for the opening game but is now expected to return to the Maroons squad after Kalyn Ponga’s injury concerns and a reshuffle to Slater’s side.
The recall comes despite Walsh attracting widespread criticism during Brisbane’s dramatic 28-23 loss to Gold Coast on Saturday night.
Walsh was beaten by Titans flyer Phillip Sami for a spectacular 70-metre solo try and later became embroiled in a visible on-field argument with teammate Jack Gosiewski.
His night ended in even more painful fashion when Titans fullback Keano Kini produced a stunning chip-and-chase match-winner in the dying stages.
Walsh appeared to hesitate as the ball bounced free, allowing Kini to regather and race away for the winning try.
The play triggered a fierce reaction from supporters online, with one fan writing: ‘Awful from Reece Walsh absolutely pathetic.’
Another added: ‘As good as that was from Titans Walsh absolutely bottled that challenge.’
Despite the criticism, Slater appears ready to back the 23-year-old’s attacking brilliance on the representative stage.
Queensland are also set to hand Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki his Origin debut after Patrick Carrigan was ruled out through injury.
Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi is expected to join the extended squad, while the Maroons are tipped to make four changes in total from the side beaten in Sydney.
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