Matty Johns calls for NSW captain to lose starting spot and five players axed for Origin 2
The Blues would have to name a new captain for State of Origin 2.
Former NSW player Matty Johns has called for Cameron Murray to start at lock in State of Origin 2 and captain Isaah Yeo to be demoted to the bench. And Johns has axed five players from the victorious Game 1 side in his predicted team for Origin 2.
Murray has fantastic when he came off the bench in Origin 1, but by that point the Blues were trailing 20-0. Laurie Daley likes the injection that Murray brings about 20 minutes into the game, but in the last two games the Maroons have got out to big leads in that time.
Many are calling for Murray to start and Yeo to be shifted to prop, but Johns has called for Yeo to lose his starting spot. It would mean Daley would have to name a new captain if Yeo starts from the bench – likely Murray, Stephen Crichton or Nathan Cleary.
“I’ve rarely seen a team dominated as savagely as Queensland dominated the Blues in the opening 20 minutes (of Game 1),” Johns wrote for The Daily Telegraph on Friday. “I went for Isaah (to start) in Game 1, believing his familiarity and combination with Cleary would get our No.7 into a rhythm immediately.
“I forgot the most crucial element: momentum. Without go‑forward, both Yeo and Cleary might as well have been sitting in the grandstand. When Cam Murray entered the action, the Blues were finally able to generate some space and time and stem Queensland’s dominance.”
Matty Johns calls for five NSW players to be axed
Johns also made the startling call to axe five players, leaving out Kotoni Staggs, Mitch Barnett, Reece Robson, Jacob Saifiti and Matt Burton. Johns called for Api Koroisau to start at hooker, with Wayde Egan on the six-man bench after Blayke Brailey broke his arm.
The Newcastle great believes Casey McLean should start in the centres instead of Staggs, while Payne Haas will come in for Barnett. Johns also said Dylan Lucas should be elevated to the 19-man team after he was 20th man in Game 1, and called for Jackson Ford and Terrell May to be added as well.
“Isaah Yeo’s creativity off the bench can be a major weapon,” Johns wrote. “I like Jackson Ford’s athleticism and work rate, and he deserves an opportunity, while (Victor) Radley will again give the Blues a burst of aggression.”
Matty Johns’ NSW team for State of Origin 2:
1. James Tedesco 2. Brian To’o 3. Casey McLean 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Tolutau Koula 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Payne Haas 9. Api Koroisau 10. Addin Fonua‑Blake 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Hudson Young 13. Cameron Murray
14. Ethan Strange 15. Victor Radley 16. Isaah Yeo 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Jackson Ford 19. Wayde Egan 20. Terrell May 14. Ethan Strange 15. Victor Radley 16. Isaah Yeo 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Jackson Ford 19. Wayde Egan 20. Terrell May