Sunday 3 June 2012

State of Origin 2012: NSW Official Game 2 Team Analysis

STATE OF ORIGIN 2012
OFFICIAL NSW GAME 2 ORIGIN TEAM
By W D Nicolson, June 3, 2012
NSW Coach Ricky Stuart has made a forced and unforced change to the Blues heading into Game 2 of the 2012 State of Origin Series v Queensland to be played on Wednesday June 13 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

The official NSW Team for Game 2 was named at 5pm Sunday June 3.
NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES 
- Official Game 2 Squad -
Likely starting team below.
FB: Brett STEWART
WI: Jarryd HAYNE
CE: Michael JENNINGS
CE: Josh MORRIS
WI: Akuila UATE
FE: Todd CARNEY
HB: Mitchell PEARCE
PR: James TAMOU
HK: Robbie FARAH
PR: Tim GRANT
SR: Glenn STEWART
SR: Greg BIRD
LK: Paul GALLEN (c)
Bench:
Trent MERRIN
Luke LEWIS
Ben CREAGH
Anthony WATMOUGH
Coach: Ricky STUART.
GRADE: B+
QUICK HIT POSITIONAL ANALYSIS:
Well no one is shocked to see the State of Origin career of Jamie Buhrer over after 7 minutes, but Ben Creagh's held his spot in the team and that's slightly more surprising given Creagh's lack of impact in Game 1.
Creagh is joined on the bench by Game 1 starter Luke Lewis, who makes way for the move of Paul Gallen to lock and the inclusion of Penrith prop Tim Grant - who has been huge for the Panthers since returning from injury recently - but how Aaron Woods also didn't force his way in given he has been in even better form for the Tigers (and at the expense of Creagh) is the biggest question Ricky Stuart needs to address.
Anthony Watmough has also been included after being omitted for 'injury' reasons in Game 1, with Tony Williams missing due to a back injury.
There are no other changes, with Todd Carney needing a huge game to keep the series alive.
The Official QLD team will be named around lunchtime (1pm) Tuesday June 5.

QUEENSLAND MAROONS
- Official Game 2 Squad -
Likely starting team below.
FB: Billy SLATER
WI: Darius BOYD
CE: Greg INGLIS
CE: Justin HODGES
WI: Brent TATE
FE: Johnathan THURSTON
HB: Cooper CRONK
PR: Matthew SCOTT
HK: Cameron SMITH (c)
PR: Petero CIVONICEVA
SR: Nate MYLES
SR: Sam THAIDAY
LK: Ashley HARRISON
Bench:
Matt GILLETT
Ben HANNANT
David SHILLINGTON
Dave TAYLOR
Corey PARKER (18th Man)
Ben BARBA (19th Man)
Coach: Mal MENINGA.
GRADE: A.
QUICK HIT POSITIONAL ANALYSIS:
This squad has won SIX straight Origin series and won Game 1 this year to be within a win of SEVEN straight series wins... suffice to say it's still pretty good heading into Game 2! Barba won't play but Parker could be a late inclusion if Matthew Scott is unavailable due to personal reasons and David Shillington or Ben Hannant would start.

Agree or Disagree with Ricky Stuart's NSW or Mal Meninga's QLD team?

If you've got a view - let us know in the comments below or via @NRLTweet

NOT The Footy Show will dissect both teams on Episode 110 this Wednesday June 6 at 8:15pm and on the podcast which will be uploaded at 11pm.
CAN THE COCKROACHES SNAG A WIN IN GAME 2 LIKE LAST YEAR?
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