In Game 1, Billy Slater’s team defeated the opposition 38–10 in Sydney, taking a significant step toward keeping the State of Origin shield.
Less than ten minutes into the match, Blues center Joseph Suaalii was sent off for a high shot that knocked out Reece Walsh.
Having conceded a goal, players such as Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Hunt, and Tom Dearden exploited several gaps in the defense to secure a commanding victory.
After just seven minutes of the Origin 1 match, Reece Walsh was forced off the field for the remainder of the game after taking a sickening high shot from Suaalii.
Despite missing his team’s two games in between Origin matches, Slater still selected the Broncos fullback.
For the Maroons in Sydney, Xavier Coates was excellent as he amassed a team-high 185 run metres and made a touchdown run.
Murray Taulagi, Valentine Holmes, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who filled in for Walsh at the back, will join the Storm flyer in an unaltered backline.
According to Cameron Munster, he will still need eight weeks to recover from his injury. Thus, Tom Dearden, who was named Player of the Match in Game I, remains at five-eighth alongside Daly Cherry-Evans.
In Game I, Ben Hunt scored the game’s first try and is once again expected to start at the MCG ahead of Harry Grant.
Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Collins’ front-runner partner, made 39 tackles while Collins punched out more than 100 run metres. The two will team up again, with Patrick Carrigan holding a tight grip.
Despite recovering from a calf injury during camp, Jeremiah Nanai is anticipated to participate in Game II.
J’maine Hopgood has been out due to injury sustained while providing cover for the Eels following Origin I. Felise Kaufusi, who entered the game as Sydney’s 18th man, has been named as his replacement.
David Fifita was not given a call-up after being left out of the starting lineup for the first game due to an ankle injury in round 15.
Selwyn Cobbo, who Slater confirmed has been carrying an injury and has “a few things that he would like to work on,” has been replaced in the 17 by Kurt Capewell.
The squad’s reserves are Trent Loiero, Heilum Luki, and Dane Gagai.
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