Stephen Crichton has retained his place in the NSW side for State of Origin 2, despite Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler both calling for him to be left out. And Blues coach Laurie Daley has resisted making major changes despite getting out of jail in Game 1.
Payne Haas has come in for Daniel Saifiti and will start in the front-row, pushing one of Addin Fonua-Blake or Mitch Barnett back to the bench. Saifiti was unused in Game 1 and has made way for the return of Broncos prop Haas.
Andrew Johns (R) had called for Casey McLean to be picked over Stephen Crichton (L). Image: Getty
Api Koroisau has come into the squad for the injured Blayke Brailey as the back-up hooker, with Daley opting to name a 21-player squad on Monday night rather than 13 starters and a bench. Aside from that Daley has largely stuck solid and resisted making major changes, however Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa has been added to the wider squad.
Mitch Moses will start at five-eighth and move Ethan Strange back to the bench if he gets through a fitness test in camp, with Eels coach Jason Ryles already stating he’ll be right to play Origin 2. Crichton and Kotoni Staggs will likely remain the centre pairing after Crichton got through Monday’s game between the Bulldogs and Eels unscathed.
Last week Andrew Johns called for Crichton to be left out and brother Matty said he’d axe Staggs. Andrew said Panthers whiz-kid Casey McLean “has to start” after his brilliant performance in Game 1 when he came off the bench. Fittler said Crichton could use a rest and called for him to be put on ice for a potential Game 3 decider.
“I just feel like he’s carrying an injury, he hurt that shoulder earlier (in the season) and I just feel like he hasn’t really recovered,” the former NSW coach said. “So I’d be giving him a little bit of a rest, even a rest (in preparation) for Game 3. Because if they do need to win I’d be taking Stephen Crichton over a kid up to Queensland.”
Stephen Crichton (R) hasn’t been in the best of form.
(Brendon Thorne via Getty Images)Casey McLean ‘fine’ despite injury scare
But McLean looks likely to remain on the bench with Tolu Koula retaining his starting spot on the wing. Koula was concussed by the shoulder charge that saw Kalyn Ponga sent off in Game 1, but made a successful return in Manly’s win over Souths on Friday night.
McLean failed to finish Penrith’s win over the Wests Tigers on Sunday due to an ankle issue, but later said he’s “completely fine” and was kept off as a precaution during the 68-0 thrashing.