State of Origin 2022 Game 2: NSW Blues v Queensland Maroons – live!
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Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of – deep breath – the Brydens Lawyers NSW Sky Blues versus the unbranded Queensland Maroons in game two of the 2022 Ampol State of Origin series at Optus Stadium in Perth (AKA Origin II). Kick-off is 5.50pm local time (7.50pm on the east coast).
The best of rugby league enemies venture out of the heartland for one of the biggest fixtures on Australia’s sporting calendar, and they have gone all the way to WA to spread the gospel of the game born in a Huddersfield boozer.
Origin I was a belter, played at breakneck speed with nary an error to give anyone time to breathe. NSW entered as defending champions and clear favourites, but played an uncharacteristically subdued brand of football and were outmanoeuvred by the tenacity of a Queensland side playing on the limit, inspired by the maverick Cameron Munster. Debut coach Billy Slater continued where his record breaking playing career left off, and his decision to back a host of rookies paid off handsomely. The Maroons now only have to win one of the final two matches – neither hosted in NSW – to snaffle an unlikely shield.
Related: State of Origin reborn as pent-up frustration evaporates in front of sell-out crowd | Angus Fontaine
Consequently, all the attention has been on NSW and coach Brad Fittler in the lead up to Origin II. Wholesale changes were expected, and duly delivered, with Fittler taking the not unreasonable decision to back-in a stack of Panthers from Penrith’s all-conquering NRL machine. “I have got to pick a team that I think is going to win, and I make no apologies for that,” Fittler said during the week.
Related: Wholesale change the only option for State of Origin Game 2, says NSW coach Brad Fittler
Will the Blues make amends? Can the Maroons back up? How will I fare pumped to the gills with antihistamines following a freak hayfever attack? Stay tuned for the next few hours and find out.
Along the way, feel free to get in touch either by email or Twitter @JPHowcroft.