PREVIEW: 2015 State of Origin II

Queensland Maroons v New South Wales Blues
Melbourne Cricket Ground - Wednesday 8:00pm

Can the Blues bounce back in game two and force a decider or will the Maroons claim their ninth series win in ten years?

With a near full capacity crowd expected at the MCG on Wednesday night, the majority of the 34 combatants are about to experience an atmosphere like never before. But just which team gets the edge as far as home ground advantage goes on this unique occasion?

The Maroons supporter base is expected to outweigh the Blues, due largely to the Melbourne Storm's representation in the Queensland side. The ground and conditions on the other hand should favour the Blues. In what is expected to be more dewy and slippery conditions, the Blues largely defensive game plan will be suited.

On the back of their one point victory in game one, only one forced change has been made to the Maroons side. Under fire Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans comes in to replace the injured Cooper Cronk who is hoping to recover in time for game three. Cherry-Evans will be under pressure to not only earn back the respect of the Queensland public, but to improve on his performances from last year's series whilst in the pivotal halfback role.

The game plan for the Maroons will be much the same as always. Their forwards will work the house down all night, both with and without the ball. On the back of that, game one man of the match Cameron Smith will look to get his attack rolling out of dummy half and the class of Thurston, Cherry-Evans, Slater and co will look to capitalize. Their only real concern coming out of game one was the 20 minute period prior to halftime when the Blues youthful forwards managed to get right on top of their aging opponents. If the Blues can maintain that level of dominance in the middle for longer periods, the Maroons will need to dig even deeper.

The Blues will welcome back two of their best players for game two in Captain Paul Gallen and winger Brett Morris who made an earlier than expected return from injury last week. Gallen comes straight back into the run on side at lock, meaning game one debutant Josh Jackson will come from the bench in game two, with Andrew Fifita the man making way. Morris will provide some much needed experience and spark on the flanks for the Blues, coming in for Daniel Tupou.

Coach Laurie Daley was quick to realize the game plan of rolling over the top of his opposition with four big behemoths up front backfired somewhat in game one and the interchange this time round will bring more mobility around the park. This should help with some of the key areas in defence that were lacking in game one. In the second half, the Blues line speed was non apparent and perhaps some of the bigger bodies couldn't drag themselves off the line quick enough. Line Speed also comes from attitude and intensity though and the Blues will have to lift both to rectify things in game two.

The other areas the Blues will need to improve on defensively will be the pressure placed on Queensland's kickers and marker defence. In the previous couple of years, the Blues defenders were sitting Queensland's kickers on their backsides nearly every time they kicked. In game one this year, they seemed to have all the time in the world. As for their marker defence, they need to communicate with each other and be prepared to work from marker on every play. The amount of times Cameron Smith ran five or more metres before passing in game one must have been startling for Coach Daley. If the Blues can shut down Smith around the ruck, they will take away the focal point of Queensland's attack.

A lot of questions are being asked about just where the points come from in this New South Wales side. Apart from a touch of individual brilliance from a Josh Dugan or one of the Morris twins, it seems a legitimate question. One area they could target is some improved support play, particularly off Ryan Hoffman who managed to get his big right arm free on a couple of occasions in game one, only for none of his Blues brothers to be there in support. Michael Jennings should make it his mission to be sniffing around Hoffman all night and he may just find himself in open spaces with his blistering pace to capitalize.

Last meeting: Game I 2015 - New South Wales Blues 10 Queensland Maroons 11

In another hard fought and grinding Origin contest, the difference came down to the Maroons game management under pressure, with Cooper Cronk only needing one invitation to nail the decisive field goal.

Who to watch: The suspect shoulder of Billy Slater is sure to attract plenty of special attention from the Blues who will be looking to unsettle him in every way possible. But Slater isn't talked about in the same breath as immortal Clive Churchill for no reason. He's as tough as he is skilful and talented, and if the rumours about this being his last match of the season are true, then look out New South Wales. Slater will be bobbing up all over the park, giving maximum effort to ensure his side reclaim the shield.

No one in a sky blue jersey was more impressive than Aaron Woods in game one and expect him to go to another level again in game two. He will thrive in the conditions at the MCG and again embrace the challenge of laying the platform for the Blues to attack from. With only one noted front-rower on the bench for the Blues he is likely to pick up even more game time this round. If the Blues can hold dominance in the middle for longer this game, watch for Woods sneaky offload to come into play late in the contest.

The favourite: The Maroons are again favourites for game two. Their record at this level means they probably always will be while ever the nucleus of their champion outfit remains. They have been an easing favourite ever since the injury to Cooper Cronk though, with many remembering the difference in the Maroons performances without him last year.

My tip: Don't underestimate the influence of Gallen's inclusion for this contest. He would have gone a long way to lifting the Blues intensity in some key areas in game one. Despite plenty of denials North of the border, the Maroons aging bodies are slowing down somewhat. In years gone by, they would have won that game one encounter by a lot more. In another low scoring and torrid Origin scrap, the Blues will prove a touch more desperate to keep the series alive and their defence and an overall lift in intensity should get them the spoils... New South Wales by 2.

1. Billy Slater 2. Darius Boyd 3. Greg Inglis 4. Justin Hodges 5. Will Chambers 6. Johnathan Thurston 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Scott 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nate Myles 11. Aidan Guerra 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Corey Parker
Interchange: 14. Michael Morgan 15. Josh McGuire 16. Matt Gillett 17. Jacob Lillyman 18. Josh Papalii 19. Dane Gagai 20. Korbin Sims

1. Josh Dugan 2. William Hopoate 3. Michael Jennings 4. Josh Morris 5. Brett Morris 6. Mitchell Pearce 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farah 10. James Tamou 11. Beau Scott 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Trent Merrin 15. Boyd Cordner 16. David Klemmer 17. Josh Jackson

Referees: Gerard Sutton, Ben Cummins; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Brett Suttor; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Luke Patten;

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