State of Origin teams: NSW Blues team for Game 2
NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has announced an unchanged 17 to take on the Queensland Maroons for Game 2 of the 2017 State of Origin series.
Daley had no reason to shift anyone in or out of his squad after the Blues 28-4 demolition job on the Maroons in Game 1 at Suncorp Stadium.
The Blues mentor has kept the axe in the sheath completely, with an unchanged side to run out in an attempt to seal the series at ANZ Stadium on 21 June.
NSW Blues team for State of Origin 2
1. James Tedesco
2. Blake Ferguson
3. Josh Dugan
4. Jarryd Hayne
5. Brett Morris
6. James Maloney
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Aaron Woods
9. Nathan Peats
10. Andrew Fifita
11. Josh Jackson
12. Boyd Cordner (c)
13. Tyson Frizell
Interchange
14. David Klemmer
15. Wade Graham
16. Jake Trboyevic
17. Jack Bird
18th man: Matt Moylan
19th man: Jack De Belin
20th man: Tom Trboyevic
More:
Queensland team for State of Origin Game 2
'I'm working on my alphabet' - Walters explains his selection rationale
The breakdown
After the comprehensive performance in Game 1 by the Blues, there was no reason for coach Daley to do anything to the team selected for that game.
And so it's proved, with the only inclusion being Manly's Tom Trboyevic included as the 20th man for the team. He won't be expected to play any part on the day, however, with fullback James Tedesco being one of NSW's best in Game 1.
Matt Moylan will be 18th man and Jack De Belin has been named as 19th.
Daley was happy to be able to name an unchanged Blues side for the first time in 21 years, saying it was a massive advantage for the Blues.
"I think it's massive going into this game given there's a number of players who had to play today.
"We've had to move our training schedule around to make sure our guys get great recovery.
"I've got a couple of text messages from the guys, saying they're okay. I'm still waiting to hear from a couple of others. Fingers crossed they've all got through."
Daley said it would be no walk in the park against a rejuvenated Blues outfit.
"The thing about Origin is they're all different. The minute you think one team has the ascendancy, that's the time it goes wrong.
"When you're welcoming back guys like Slater and Thurston into a team, two of the next immortals, you'd be silly to underestimate them. We certainly won't.
"It's a better team than it was in Game 1."
