The Westpac NSW Blues have named Parramatta Eels halfback Mitchell Moses and South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook, as well as two debutants, for Game Two of the Ampol State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday 21 June.
Moses, who made his debut for his state in Game Three of the 2021 series, has been named to replace the injured Nathan Cleary (hamstring) at No.7, while Cook, who has been a stalwart for the Blues having played 15 games since 2018, has been called in for the injured Api Koroisau (jaw).
Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu, who was 19th player for Game One, and North Queensland hooker Reece Robson, who was part of the extended squad for last year’s series, have been named on the bench. Utoikamanu and Robson replace Tevita Pangai Jnr and Nicho Hynes respectively.
Rabbitohs’ Latrell Mitchell has been named again at centre after being a late withdrawal for Game One with a calf injury.
Penrith Panthers centre Stephen Crichton, who was promoted to the starting side for Mitchell for Game One, has been named as 18th player, while Rabbitohs back-rower Keaon Koloamatangi, who is also yet to debut for his state and has previously been part of the extended squad, is 19th player.
STATE OF ORIGIN – GAME TWO, SUNCORP STADIUM, BRISBANE, WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE
WESTPAC NSW BLUES
1. James Tedesco (c) (Sydney Roosters)
2. Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
3. Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
4. Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
5. Josh Addo-Carr (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
6. Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers)
7. Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
8. Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)
9. Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
10. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
11. Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights)
12. Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
13. Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)
14. Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers)
15. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
16. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)
17. Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys)
18. Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers)
19. Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Coach: Brad Fittler
