Queensland Maroons vs New South Wales Blues Preview & Prediction | 2025 State of Origin | Game 2
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New South Wales looks to win their second straight series against a new look Queensland side.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Channel Nine & 9Now / US – Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / Australia – Channel Nine & 9Now digital platforms / US – Fox Sports digital platforms
Queensland Maroons team news
Head Coach Billy Slater seemingly called time on the Queensland career of captain Daly Cherry-Evans by anointing Tom Dearden as the new halfback and Cameron Munster as captain. The backline which produced just one try in match one otherwise stays the same. Kurt Capewell will start in the backrow which sees Jeremiah Nanai shift to the interchange bench. Patrick Carrigan and Trent Loeiro swap roles with Loeiro starting his first Origin match. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Valentine Holmes also swap spots although both will start. Kurt Mann replaces Beau Fermor in the 17 and will provide a spark off the bench.
Squad: 1. Kaylyn Ponga 2. Xavier Coates 3. Robert Toia 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Reuben Cotter 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Trent Loiero 14. Kurt Mann 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Jeremiah Nanai 17. Patrick Carrigan 18. Ezra Mam 19. Jack Howarth 20. Corey Horsburgh
New South Wales Blues team news
Despite a convincing Game One victory, Head Coach Laurie Daley has been forced into changes for the potential clinching Game Two. Mitch Barnett is out for the season after suffering an ACL injury, he is replaced in the starting line-up by Max King who is promoted from the bench. The starters looked to remain intact until Mitchell Moses injured his calf muscle while training and will miss a minimum of six weeks. Rather than utilising 18th man Matt Burton, Jarome Luai will reunite with Nathan Cleary in the halves. Stefano Utoikamanu moves from the extended bench onto the interchange to cover for King.
Squad:
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To’o 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Latrell Mitchell 5. Zac Lomax 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Max King 9. Reece Robson 10. Payne Haas 11. Liam Martin 12. Angus Crichton 13. Isaah Yeo © 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Hudson Young 17. Stefano Utoikamanu 18. Matt Burton 19. Keon Koloamatangi 20. Lindsay Smith
Queensland Maroons vs New South Wales Blues prediction
The Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues both head west to Perth for Game Two of the 2025 State of Origin Series. New South Wales won the first match 18-6 with a scoreline that perhaps flattered Queensland as they dominated in all aspects.
Teams that have won Game One of the series have gone on to win the series on 33 of 43 times. Some optimism for the Maroons with the most recent example of a team losing Game One and still winning the series coming just last year when NSW turned things around in Game Two and Three.
The Maroons face a tough task in Perth which will host an origin game for the third time. The previous two matches have been one way traffic for the Blues, winning each match by 32 (38-6 and 44-12). With some major changes in the halves, they face their toughest test in years, and this is a game NSW are fully expected to triumph in.
The “Queenslander” spirit makes NSW supporters wary as they have been caught in this very position time and time again across the years. Write Queensland off at your own peril when their backs are firmly against the wall.
With Jarome Luai expected to slide back in seamlessly opposite Nathan Cleary we think New South Wales can win the series before they get to Sydney for Game Three.
Queensland Maroons vs New South Wales Blues tip: New South Wales Blues to win by 13+ points
