Maroons winners and losers: Will Slater's decisions save the series?
Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has denied he was tempted to issue an SOS to Canberra enforcer Josh Papali'i, declaring he already had the troops to inspire a State of Origin boilover.
Papali'i retired from representative rugby league on the eve of the 2023 series after earning 23 Origin caps, but on Sunday proved he still had the mettle to lead a pack.
In becoming the most capped Raider of all time against South Sydney, the 33-year-old scored twice and ran for 81 metres and five tackle busts, while his coach Ricky Stuart lauded his leadership as key to their top of the table ascent.
The Maroons are still missing Thomas Flegler (shoulder) and Tom Gilbert (pectoral) to injury, while captaincy contender Tino Fa'asuamaleaui heads into game two in Perth with a sternum concern.
New South Wales won game one through the middle, as an engine room led by Payne Haas ran rampant to finish with 124 more post-contact metres and 30 extra tackle-busts than their rivals.
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But Slater was emphatic in that the squad assembled could save the series.
'No, no I haven't,' Slater said, when asked if he had discussed a comeback with Papali'i.
'There are quite a few things we didn't get right, and that's what we'll go over in the first couple of days. Then it's up to the players to go out there in that 80 minutes and deliver that, but that [the forwards battle] is certainly one area.
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‘Ridiculous': Blues fans fume at Laurie Daley selection decision as NSW side for Game 2 is revealed
NSW coach Laurie Daley has made two changes to the Blues side that won Game 1, with Storm forward Stefano Utoikamanu replacing the injured Mitch Barnett and Lindsay Smith coming in for Haumole Olakau'atu who has withdrawn from the squad. After Barnett picked up an ugly knee injury last round, Utoikamanu was locked in a three-way battle with Keaon Koloamatangi and Terrell May for a spot on the Blues bench. Storm coach and Daley's NSW team adviser Craig Bellamy threw his support behind Utoikamanu following Melbourne's impressive 38-14 victory over the Cowboys on Friday night, suggesting he was the man for the job. The front-rower produced 146 run metres and 59 post-contact metres in 44 minutes, in a picture perfect Origin audition. 'He was in the camp as the 19th, 20th player, so you'd think he'll be right up there in the firing line,' Bellamy said after the match. And Daley has backed in the super coach, selecting Utoikamanu on the bench for Game 2, which will take place Wednesday week in Perth. Matt Burton, Koloamatangi and Campbell Graham have been selected in Daley's 20-man squad for Game 2 to be played Wednesday week. However, while Blues fans as a whole were pleased with the team selection, the decision to go with Utoikamanu over the likes of Koloamatangi or May, raised a few eyebrows. 'Kaeon should be in the team ahead of Stefano,' one fan said in response to the Game 2 team list. 'Keaon and Terell May should be there.' another added. 'Picking Stefano is ridiculous and Smith cmon now,' a third wrote. While another said: 'Loz has lost the plot. Stefano and Smith in the squad and no May, hahaha. He's got it so wrong.' Meanwhile Olakau'atu has put the birth of his second child ahead of the opportunity to be part of the Blues squad for the second State of Origin game, informing Daley of his decision to remain in NSW. Olakau'atu, who was set to be named in the extended squad, turned up at NSW headquarters to inform them of his desire to remain home to be by his partner's side as they prepare to welcome their first child into the world. Laurie Daley's confirmed NSW team for Game 2 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To'o 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Latrell Mitchell 5. Zac Lomax 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Max King 9. Reece Robson 10. Payne Haas 11. Liam Martin 12. Angus Crichton 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Hudson Young 17. Stefano Utoikamanu 18. Matt Burton 19. Keaon Koloamatangi 20. Lindsay Smith Billy Slater's confirmed Maroons team for Game 2 1 Kalyn Ponga 2 Xavier Coates 3 Robert Toia 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5 Valentine Holmes 6 Cameron Munster 7 Tom Dearden 8 Mo Fotuaika 9 Harry Grant 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11 Kurt Capewell 12 Jeremiah Nanai 13 Pat Carrigan 14 Kurt Mann 15 Lindsay Collins 16 Reuben Cotter 17 Trent Loiero 18 Corey Horsborough 19 Jack Howarth 20 Ezra Mam
