Billy bites back as six selection gambles pay off in Origin coaching 'masterstroke'

History shows bold decisions at the selection table and in strategy meetings are generally what win State of Origin contests.

Paul Vautin's Neville Nobodies - featuring 18-year-old four-game rookie Ben Ikin - stunned the Blues in 1995, Wayne Bennett's "worst Origin team ever assembled" did it again in 2020, and Michael Maguire's axing of NSW captain James Tedesco last year allowed Dylan Edwards to star in a comeback series victory.

And so it was on Wednesday night as Billy Slater's six gambles paid off, levelling the series and forcing a decider in Sydney on July 9.

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The coach was prickly post-game when pressed on his many changes, which had been roundly criticised since his team was unveiled last Monday.

MUNSTER CAPTAINCY 'MASTERSTROKE'

Cameron Munster had never captained his state or club, and has a history of being a larrikin off the field.

So when Slater handed him the captaincy last week it surprised many - given the likes of Harry Grant and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui were snubbed for the role.

Munster seemed to adopt an entirely new personality in the lead-up to the game and on Wednesday night he led from the front during and after the game, emotionally going in to bat for his coach following a rough 24 hours for Slater.

Blues icon Andrew Johns labelled the captaincy decision a "masterstroke" when speaking on Nine.

If people had their doubts about the appointment, Slater wasn't one of them.

"Even without being the captain, Cameron Munster has really led this footy team. He led it as a kid when I was still playing, in 2017 game three," Slater said post-game.

"He's just got the C next to his name now... but he's been a leader right from the start."

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SHOCK WING SWITCH

Zac Lomax had scored five tries in four Origin games leading into Wednesday night's encounter and Queenslander knew his aerial ability could ruin the Maroons unless they did something about it.

Viewers and commentators were surprised to see Xavier Coates line up on the left wing to start the game, but it was clearly a ploy to combat leaping Lomax.

It worked - Lomax didn't get a look at the tryline and the Blues avoided kicking to his side, instead running all their attack to the left.

Granted left winger Brian To'o did score three tries but at least the switch kept Lomax largely out of the contest.

"Xavier plays on the left-hand side all the time. We just felt that that was the best look for our footy team," Slater said.

"That's what we do - we analyse our team, we look at our players, and we try to build Queensland's best footy team.

"If people have to put the team first, that's what happens. The players have had a great attitude this week - whether players have moved to the bench, or switched sides or switched positions, there hasn't been one whinge."

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GRANT GAMBLE

Queensland had never won an Origin game when Harry Grant started at hooker.

The Maroons have been at their best in recent years when Ben Hunt started at dummy-half and got through the rough-and-tumble opening period, then Grant came on to wreak havoc with his running game and guile.

But with Hunt out injured it was up to Grant to start, and in game one he was bashed into submission by NSW and struggled to have any impact in attack.

Slater stuck fat in game two and Grant was much more impressive. The coach hit back at reporting about Grant's record as a starting hooker.

"You can make a narrative around anything," Slater said.

"Do we all think Harry Grant is a great dummy half? Probably the best dummy half in the game.

"Creating a narrative around that is probably a little bit unfair. We're all talking numbers here, and the team hasn't played well when he's started at dummy half, but he is a wonderful player.

"He would be first to admit he was below his standard in game one (but) Harry doesn't do that too often, so it didn't surprise me he had the first half that he did."

CAPEWELL RECALL, MANN DEBUT

Kurt Capewell was a star of Bennett's famous aforementioned 2020 squad.

But he was overlooked for game one this year and when he was recalled for game two, it left many people scratching their heads.

The 31-year-old backrower, though, was mighty impressive starting on Queensland's left edge and linked up with Maroons debutant Kurt Mann for a crucial try before half time.

"There is a reason why the Warriors are doing well, because they've got players like Kurt Capewell in their team," Slater later said.

"That's what successful footy teams look like; they've got hard working players that are willing to put everything into the footy team, and that's what Capes does.

"A bit of talk around the number of missed tackles on his stat sheet... I actually didn't know that until I read it in the paper.

"It probably goes to show that I don't look at numbers when I look at habits in players, I look at their actions and how they contribute to their team, and he has done an amazing job.

"He has played probably half the season at centre, the other half in the backrow. His body is in great shape, nice and fit, and he is a team-first player.

"It might have surprised a few but it wasn't out of the blue for me."

BENCH SHAKE-UP

Several commentators were adamant that Queensland was set to make late team changes and wouldn't run out as named 1-17 on Wednesday night.

In particular the decision to bench Patrick Carrigan and Jeremiah Nanai in favour of starting Trent Loiero and Capewell left many pundits confused, and some claiming Slater was outright lying with his team announcement.

Carrigan was bashed out of the contest in game one but in Perth he was revitalised coming off the bench and playing 33 minutes for 10 runs, 87 metres, and two tackle breaks, while Loiero was also impressive in his starting debut.

Capewell was an inspired selection on the left edge and Mann provided plenty of spark coming off the bench.

Nanai was probably the disappointing performance of the night and he may yet lose his spot before game three, having also struggled in game one.

LITTLE TOMMY'S TIME TO SHINE

The biggest selection call in years - perhaps decades - was Slater axing halfback and captain Daly Cherry-Evans after a game one stinker.

Up stepped Tom Dearden and the Cowboys No.7 did not disappoint.

He was one of Queensland's best last year in a losing series, and he was impressive in his debut as a starting halfback for the Maroons.

He had a try assist and a tackle break, and didn't miss any of his 26 tackles despite NSW running plenty of traffic his way.

"Daly has been a wonderful player for a long time, (but) it is Tom's time now," Slater declared after the game.

"He didn't surprise any of us in what he put out there tonight.

"Really proud of him."