The new-look Queensland side facing the VB Blues in Origin II will be more dangerous than the team the Maroons fielded in Game One, according to NSW coach Laurie Daley.
The Queenslanders today announced a host of changes to their Origin II side, with Tim Glasby, Coen Hess, Valentine Holmes and Jarrod Wallace selected to make their Origin debuts, and Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston and Gavin Cooper all returning for the vital match.
“They’re a stronger side than they were in Game One and they’ve got more run in them and it’ll be tough,” Daley told NSWRL.com.au.
“I think [they’ll lift]. While Holmes is a rookie on the Origin stage he’s won a premiership and played for Australia so that’s a tick along with Thurston and Slater.
“You have to be aware of what Slater and Thurston can do, coming in to the side adds a different dimension and a dynamic to their team, not just in the structure but in their ability to make other players lift. When you’re playing with those world-class players they lift.”
The VB Blues coach heaped praise on Queensland’s new additions, again highlighting how difficult the task will be for NSW in Origin II.
“Coen Hess is the one who’s exciting everyone, in particular Queensland fans because he’s such a big, strong player who deserves his opportunity and will be on the scene for a long time – he’s someone we have to watch,” Daley said.
“Glasby and Jarrod Wallace, you know what you’re going to get from them… they’ve earned their appearances, playing alongside those Origin players they’ll lift.”
