NSW Blues head coach Laurie Daley has confirmed his squad for the second game of the 2026 State of Origin series, with Jacob Saifiti and Matt Burton missing out from the Game 1 side.
Daley took the step to not name a starting 17, but instead, named 21 players in alphabetical order for Game 2 of the series. It later emerged players were under an injury cloud, with Stephen Crichton confirmed as a non-starter on Tuesday morning.
The Blues line-up for Game 2 has since been confirmed. You can view that here, or both Origin teams for Game 2 side-by-side here
Mitchell Moses is also under an injury cloud, not having played since before Game 1. Both Ethan Strange, who started Game 1 in his place at five-eighth, and Isaiya Katoa, are in the 21-man squad.
Katoa effectively comes into the squad for Matt Burton, who was a late addition for Game 1 after Moses was withdrawn, with the Bulldogs utility playing a handful of minutes off the bench.
In the forwards, Payne Haas comes into the side with Jacob Saifiti, who was on the bench in Game 1 but didn't feature, being dropped. Haas will start, with Mitch Barnett joining him and Aaddin Fonua-Blake dropped to the bench
There are otherwise no changes to the wider squad, with Dylan Lucas again included, while Casey McLean will push his case during camp to start Game 2 after playing from the extended bench in Game 1.
Daley confirmed on Tuesday morning that Lucas will start, with Haumole Olakau'atu becoming 20th man, while Apisai Koroisau replaces the injured Blayke Brailey.
Game 2 will be played on Wednesday, June 17, with kick-off set for 8:05pm (AEST) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
NSW team for Game 2
1. James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
2. Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers)
3. Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers)
4. Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
5. Tolutau Koula (Manly Sea Eagles)
6. Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
8. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
9. Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters)
10. Mitchell Barnett (New Zealand Warriors)
11. Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
12. Dylan Lucas (Newcastle Knights)
13. Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)
Interchange
14. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
15. Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
16. Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks)
17. Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers)
18. Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders)
19. Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters)
Reserves
20. Haumole Olakau'atu (Melbourne Storm)
21. Isaiya Katoa (The Dolphins)
The 21-man squad as originally named on Monday night was:
Mitchell Barnett (Warriors)
Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers)
Toluta'u Koula (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Dylan Lucas (Newcastle Knights)
Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers)
Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Haumole Olakau'atu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters)
Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders)
James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers)
Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers)
Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
