‘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Stefano Utoikamanu replacing the injured Mitch Barnett and Lindsay Smith coming in for Haumole Olakau'atu who has withdrawn from the squad.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
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