STATE OF ORIGIN 2008 – GAME TWO PREVIEW

SUNCORP STADIUM, BRISBANE – WEDNESDAY JUNE 11TH.

Andrew Pelechaty

The recall of Darren Lockyer heads a number of changes for the Queensland side for Origin II at Suncorp Stadium. While Lockyer’s reinstatement was good news for the Maroons, it meant that Scott Prince missed out again. Johnathan Thurston, despite recent poor form, will partner Lockyer in the halves, with Karmichael Hunt demoted to the bench. Prince’s Gold Coast team-mate Ashley Harrison was selected on the bench, replacing Jacob Lillyman (omitted). Darius Boyd will make his Origin debut on the wing, with Brent Tate shifting to centre to replace the suspended Justin Hodges, who will be out for six weeks. Tate’s NZ Warriors team-mate Steve Price – injured for Origin I – will replace the axed Carl Webb in the forwards.
New South Wales made just two changes to the victorious Origin I team. Newcastle pair Steve Simpson and Kurt Gidley will start on the bench, with Ben Hornby left out. Craig Fitzgibbon will retain his spot in the starting line-up, replacing Ben Cross. The biggest worry for NSW is the availability of Jarryd Hayne and Mark Gasnier. Hayne is awaiting a verdict after a dangerous tackle against Brisbane, while Gasnier has a hamstring strain.

TEAMS

QUEENSLAND
FULLBACK – Billy Slater (Melbourne)
WINGERS – Darius Boyd (Brisbane)* Israel Folau (Melbourne)
CENTERS –Greg Inglis (Melbourne), Brent Tate (New Zealand)
FIVE-EIGHTH – Darren Lockyer (Brisbane – c)
HALFBACK – Johnathan Thurston (North Qld)
HOOKER – Cameron Smith (Melbourne)
PROP-FORWARDS – Steven Price (New Zealand), Petero Civinoceva (Penrith)
SECOND-ROW – Sam Thaiday (Brisbane), Michael Crocker (Melbourne)
LOCK – Dallas Johnson (Melbourne)
INTERCHANGE – Karmichael Hunt (Brisbane), Ben Hannant (Brisbane), Nate Myles (Sydney Roosters), Ashley Harrison (Gold Coast)
COACH – Mal Meninga

NEW SOUTH WALES
FULLBACK – Brett Stewart (Manly-Warringah)
WINGERS – Anthony Quinn (Melbourne), Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta)
CENTERS – Mark Gasnier (St. George-Illawarra), Matt Cooper (St. George-Illawarra)
FIVE-EIGHTH – Greg Bird (Cronulla-Sutherland)
HALFBACK – Peter Wallace (Brisbane)
HOOKER – Danny Buderus (Newcastle - c)
PROP-FORWARDS –Brett White (Melbourne), Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters)
SECOND-ROW – Ryan Hoffman (Melbourne), Willie Mason (Sydney Roosters)
LOCK – Paul Gallen (Cronulla-Sutherland)
INTERCHANGE – Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast), Anthony Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Steve Simpson (Newcastle), Kurt Gidley (Newcastle)
COACH – Craig Bellamy.
*= on debut