Blues coach Laurie Daley avoids changes from game two defeat for Origin decider
Updated . First published at
NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has opted against making any changes to the starting side that lost game two as he prepares for the State of Origin decider.
Daley did shake up his extended squad though with Bradman Best and Jacob Kiraz coming into the setup.
Matt Burton and Jacob Preston are the two players that miss out.
READ MORE: JT ribbed by commentators over 'very political' Origin reply
READ MORE: Jake Paul calls out big names after rival's bizarre effort
READ MORE: Storm's win soured by 'disaster' injury blow to young star
Laurie Daley, coach of the NSW Blues. Getty
The player under the most pressure to keep his spot was Stefano Utoikamanu.
The Storm prop had obstructed Patrick Carrigan when Nathan Cleary looked like he'd scored in a critical game two moment.
Watch the 2025 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.
However, Daley has stuck solid with the 25-year-old.
Storm coach and Blues consultant Craig Bellamy had hinted that would be the case after his side's Sunday afternoon match.
"I wouldn't imagine he'd be left out but we'll see what happens," he said before smirking.
Jarome Luai also sat out the Tigers' match on the weekend with an infection but has been selected. Nathan Cleary was also under an injury cloud but played a starring role in Penrith's win over the Bulldogs.
NSW Blues squad
1. Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers) 2. Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers) 3. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) 4. Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs) 5. Zac Lomax (Parramatta Eels) 6. Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers) 7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers) 8. Max King (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) 9. Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys) 10. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos) 11. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers) 12. Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters) 13. Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers) 14. Connor Watson (Sydney Roosters) 15. Spencer Leniu (Sydney Roosters) 16. Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders) 17. Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne Storm) 18. Jacob Kiraz (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) 19. Lindsay Smith (Penrith Panthers) 20. Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights)
