A blockbuster game two is scheduled for Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with Queensland looking to go back-to-back as they receive Brad Fittler’s under fire NSW outfit.
Both sides have been forced to make some changes as injury continues to blight the series, but Billy Slater will no doubt be ready to deliver another tactical masterclass with the trophy on the line.
So who’s playing on Wednesday?
And where can you watch all the action?
Daily Mail Australia has sorted everything you need to know ahead of the second game of the series…
A picture is worth a 1000 words: A dejected Brain To’o can’t believe Queensland has crossed to try and win the 2023 opener
Can NSW skipper James Tedesco (left) recover after a shock first-game performance, or will Queensland talisman Ben Hunt (right) lead his side to victory after a tough few weeks?
When is it?
State of Origin game two is on Wednesday night, with kickoff at 8:05 PM (AEST), and gates at Suncorp Stadium open at 5:30 PM.
There will be a curtain raiser from 5.45pm before Australian singer Shannon Noll will perform some of his old school hits as part of the pre-match entertainment from 7.30pm.
The television broadcast will start at 7 p.m.
The third and possibly deciding game will take place on July 12 at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium in Homebush.
Where is it played? What weather is expected?
Game two will be played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, where most of the State of Origin games have been held. Queensland has won 38 games out of 59 there and tickets sold out well ahead of what will be the series decider if the Maroons win.
The weather is expected to provide perfect conditions for footy, with clear skies, no wind and temperatures of around 13 degrees expected come kick-off time.
Queensland players celebrate in front of their fans at Suncorp Stadium after winning last year’s decider
How can I watch or listen?
The match will be broadcast live in Australia on Channel Nine, with pre-match analysis from 7pm ahead of the scheduled 8:05pm kick-off. Viewers can also stream the broadcast on 9Now.
A number of radio stations will also be covering the game, including ABC, Triple M Sydney, Triple M Brisbane, 2GB, 4BC, SEN and NRL Nation.
The game will be shown in New Zealand on SkyNZ, with a number of other broadcasters also showing the game around the world; from the US, UK and the Pacific Islands to everywhere in between. A full list can be found here.
What are the teams? And who is the referee?
Coaches Billy Slater and Brad Fittler have been forced into a number of changes leading up to game two, with each state making five for their roster.
The umpires are almost identical to the first game, with Ashley Klein who will be the lead whistleblower after leading all three games last year. Drew Oultram and Dave Munro (replacing Phil Henderson) will be his touch judges, with Grant Atkins serving as the box review official.
New South Wales
After star halfback Nathan Cleary suffered a serious hamstring injury that knocked him out of game two, the question on everyone’s lips was who would replace him: game one bench-warmer Nicho Hynes, Adam Reynolds or Mitch Moses. The latter got the nod, before Fittler controversially axed reigning Dally M winner Hynes completely.
NSW have chosen Eels halfback Mitchell Moses (right) to partner Jarome Luai (left) in all-stakes halves
The NSW coach instead opted for a second specialist whore to replace Api Koroisau (broken jaw) as Cowboys rake Reece Robson made his Origin debut alongside the recalled Damien Cook. Tevita Pangai Junior was out after a shock in the opener and has been replaced by Tigers forward Stefano Utoikamanu, who will make his Origin-debut.
Queensland
Injury has also robbed Slater of a few of his stars. An ankle injury to Broncos flier Selwyn Cobbo means Xavier Coates has been brought back into the group, with the tall Storm backman poised to challenge the Blues in the air.
A shoulder injury to Tom Gilbert in the opener and ankle fallback to Jai Arrow means Jeremiah Nanai and Mo Fotuaika will be sidelined.
How the two teams are expected to line up Wednesday night, barring any last-minute changes
Betting tips for game two
NSW ($2.70) are not the favorites coming into play for the first time since 2016, showing how far the Blues have fallen under Fittler over the past two years, despite appearing to have a much stronger squad on paper.
BetRight CEO Anthony Waller said the Maroons ($1.48) are still in trouble head-to-head gambling marketwithout love for Fittler’s side.
“After all the outs for NSW they have been pretty much friendless in the market with all the money coming in for Queensland which is now fixed at $1.70 to $1.42,” he said.
Cameron Munster ($7) is the favorite to be named Man of the Match, though big player Patrick Carrigan ($21) offers excellent value. On the Blues side of the coin, Liam Martin ($34) should be crucial to any NSW win, as should the game’s top prop, Payne Haas ($21).
The ever popular first tryscorer market has Xavier Coates ($8.50) as a favorite, alongside the two flyers, Hamiso Taubai-Fidow ($10) and Josh Addo-Carr ($12). There’s value to be found in a skipper determined to recover after an atrocious performance in game one, with James Tedesco for $19. Valentine Holmes is surprisingly valuable ($15) for someone who’s been the first tryscorer in four of his last five Origin games at Suncorp.