NSW Blues confirm team for State of Origin Game 2, 2026

He has named 21 players, but not confirmed a starting side.

EDITOR | June 8, 2026 - 7:09pm

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.

That comes with Mitchell Moses, under an injury cloud and not having played since before Game 1, under a major injury cloud. Both Ethan Strange, who started Game 1 in his place at five-eighth, and Isaiya Katoa, have been added to the 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Katoa effectively comes into the squad for Matt Burton, who was a late addition for Game 1 after Moses was withdrawn, with the Bulldogs utility playing a handful of minutes off the bench.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 missed the series opener, being dropped. Haas is expected to start, with Mitch Barnett and Addin Fonua-Blake battling it out to join him.

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.

Game 2 will be played on Wednesday, June 17, with kick-off set for 8:05pm (AEST) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.