There were plenty of surprises when the Blues made six changes to their team for Origin II while the Maroons made four of their own.
Injuries played a role, but there were still some brutal phone calls, star callbacks, and four players in line to make their Origin debuts.
Here are the winners and losers of the Origin II team announcements.
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Brimson ruled out Origin
0:40
WINNER
CODY WALKER
He may have played in Game I but it was off the bench and Cody Walker will enjoy his first start for his state since his debut at the 2019 series opener.
Walker had limited time to impress in Game I, but the blues looked a lot more dangerous as he joined in the second half of the action.
Walker made 37 meters out of just four runs and had an offload, two line break assists and a try-assist to drive nine tackles without a miss.
Walker was probably the form player of the last half of the season and now has the opportunity to show that he can lead an Origin team to victory and force a decision maker.
Cody Walker will start in place of Luke Keary.Source: Getty Images
MORE NRL NEWS
BLUES TEAM: Keary, deleted as Blues, makes SIX changes for Do-or-Die Origin II clashes
MAROONS TEAM: Holmes plays # 1 as one of FOUR changes on the QLD side
EXCLUDED: Blues skipper Cordner misses the rest of the Origin series amid the HIA controversy
DALE FINUCANE
The Storm Premier League winner was a confusing omission at the start of the series and gets his chance after an end-of-season injury against Cameron Murray and Boyd Cordner’s decision to suspend the last two games.
Finucane only returned from long-term injury in the last two games of Melbourne’s Premiership run, which may leave Fittler under the impression that he lacked the match fitness Origin required.
However, his club coach Craig Bellamy says the 29-year-old is the first player he picks each week, and he’s designed for Origin Footy’s tough take-no-inmate style.
After winning his last Origin game to win the series last season, Finucane knows how to stay ahead in must-win games.
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NATHAN BROWN
The Eels Backrower comes to the blues side after the unavailability of Murray and Cordner and is about to debut from the bank.
Brad Fittler is a huge Parramatta Castle fan who just missed a spot on the team for Game I but remained the 18th man until kick-off.
Brown is a fiery character and kind of gamer who can take on the challenge for the Maroons strikers who beat the Blues in the second half of Game I.
The Blues will try to get stronger in Game II after hiding the second half, and Brown will be a key man to come off the jaw as a defensive hoop.
Nathan Brown replaces Cameron Murray.Source: News Corp Australia
ISAAH YEO
The Panthers Lock was one of the most improved players in the competition in 2020 and deserves a debut for the Blues in Game II.
Yeo’s brilliant test assistant in the pre-finals helped the Panthers to a 17th victory in a row and a first grand final since 2003.
While Penrith couldn’t continue, Yeo has been one of their most consistent players all season and won’t let anyone down in the Origin arena.
After 22 games in 2020, Yeo is tough and can do a job similar to Boyd Cordner. He’s a bigger body than injured blues star Cameron Murray.
VALENTINE HOLMES
The Cowboys star will play his first Origin since 2018 after playing with the New York Jets in the NFL.
Holmes was always ready to get back on the team once his suspension expired, but he should play on the wing where he has made eight tries in five origins.
However, AJ Brimson’s foot injury opened the door for Holmes to play his favorite position as a defender, but he’s untested at that level in the No. 1.
Holmes can expect lots of high balls from the Blues halves in Origin II, but he has the skill and speed to make his new role a success.
Valentine Holmes will start at fullback in Game II.Source: News Corp Australia
DUNAMIS LUI
Christian Welch’s injury has allowed Dunamis Lui to come out of the clouds to secure his Origin debut in Game II at the ANZ Stadium.
The 30-year-old veteran will start in his first Origin match for Queensland after 158 games for the Broncos, Sea Eagles, Dragons and Raiders in a 10-year career.
Lui was one of the main lights for the Raiders after suffering a string of unfortunate injuries that reduced their chances of a great 2020 final.
Lui is the type of gamer Wayne Bennett loves as he has no fuss and rolls up his sleeves and does the dirty work that will be vital in enemy territory.
MOEAKI FOTUAIKA
The Gold Coast prop was considered unfortunate for the Titans not to make its Origin I debut after a breakout season.
However, Christian Welch’s injury and decision to ditch Cohen Hess opened the door for Fotuaika to end a great season with his first Queensland cap.
The 20-year-old has already played 55 NRL games and offers the Maroons bench difference and a bigger body to take on Payne Haas and Daniel Saifiti.
LOSER
Luke Keary
In the toughest pick from either side after Origin I, Luke Keary became the scapegoat for the blues failure.
The Blues led 10-0 at halftime and looked controlled. Keary played well and still finished the game with 74 meters, two tackle busts, and an offload.
However, he made two mistakes and three missed tackles and ultimately had to pay for NSW to only score four points and concede 18 goals in the second half.
The blues looked far more dangerous when Cody Walker joined the fight off the bench, and it was the Rabbitohs star’s success rather than Keary’s failures that cost him his place.
Luke Keary was a brutal omission from Game II.Source: News Corp Australia
COEN HESS
Wayne Bennett urged Cowboy big man Coen Hess to earn his callback before Game I, but he clearly didn’t answer his trainer’s call.
The 24-year-old stepped into the prestigious scene in 2017 when the Cowboys contested a second grand final in three years, but he’s done little since then.
Hess made only 29 yards of five runs in Origin I and he looks disinterested and not enthusiastic about his rugby league career.
Despite the Maroons win, Bennett decided to promote Jaydn Su’A to the home page and put Fotuaika on the bench, and Hess couldn’t even make a reserve spot this time around.
Coen Hess went from starter to 21st.Source: Getty Images
BRENKO LEE
Granted, Lee was a late scratch in the first game due to a calf injury and with the brief turnaround there is no guarantee of playing in Game II.
However, getting into the Queensland reserve list without playing a game in a week right before your starting debut is quite difficult.
Lee was Origin I’s unlucky story after injuring his calf during the captain’s run and being disqualified from warm-up an hour before kick-off.
Bennett believes he’ll be right to play if selected in Game II, but the success of Dane Gagai and Kurt Capewell will make it very difficult for him to get on a winning side.
Country of origin 2020: Game II teams, winners and losers, Luke Keary, Coen Hess, Brenko Lee, Dale Finucane and Nathan Brown
There were plenty of surprises when the Blues made six changes to their team for Origin II while the Maroons made four of their own.
Injuries played a role, but there were still some brutal phone calls, star callbacks, and four players in line to make their Origin debuts.
Here are the winners and losers of the Origin II team announcements.
Watch State of Origin I REPLAY on Kayo with no in-game commercials and Fox League commentary. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming right away
Brimson ruled out Origin
0:40
WINNER
CODY WALKER
He may have played in Game I but it was off the bench and Cody Walker will enjoy his first start for his state since his debut at the 2019 series opener.
Walker had limited time to impress in Game I, but the blues looked a lot more dangerous as he joined in the second half of the action.
Walker made 37 meters out of just four runs and had an offload, two line break assists and a try-assist to drive nine tackles without a miss.
Walker was probably the form player of the last half of the season and now has the opportunity to show that he can lead an Origin team to victory and force a decision maker.
MORE NRL NEWS
BLUES TEAM: Keary, deleted as Blues, makes SIX changes for Do-or-Die Origin II clashes
MAROONS TEAM: Holmes plays # 1 as one of FOUR changes on the QLD side
EXCLUDED: Blues skipper Cordner misses the rest of the Origin series amid the HIA controversy
DALE FINUCANE
The Storm Premier League winner was a confusing omission at the start of the series and gets his chance after an end-of-season injury against Cameron Murray and Boyd Cordner’s decision to suspend the last two games.
Finucane only returned from long-term injury in the last two games of Melbourne’s Premiership run, which may leave Fittler under the impression that he lacked the match fitness Origin required.
However, his club coach Craig Bellamy says the 29-year-old is the first player he picks each week, and he’s designed for Origin Footy’s tough take-no-inmate style.
After winning his last Origin game to win the series last season, Finucane knows how to stay ahead in must-win games.
Get the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Register now>
NATHAN BROWN
The Eels Backrower comes to the blues side after the unavailability of Murray and Cordner and is about to debut from the bank.
Brad Fittler is a huge Parramatta Castle fan who just missed a spot on the team for Game I but remained the 18th man until kick-off.
Brown is a fiery character and kind of gamer who can take on the challenge for the Maroons strikers who beat the Blues in the second half of Game I.
The Blues will try to get stronger in Game II after hiding the second half, and Brown will be a key man to come off the jaw as a defensive hoop.
ISAAH YEO
The Panthers Lock was one of the most improved players in the competition in 2020 and deserves a debut for the Blues in Game II.
Yeo’s brilliant test assistant in the pre-finals helped the Panthers to a 17th victory in a row and a first grand final since 2003.
While Penrith couldn’t continue, Yeo has been one of their most consistent players all season and won’t let anyone down in the Origin arena.
After 22 games in 2020, Yeo is tough and can do a job similar to Boyd Cordner. He’s a bigger body than injured blues star Cameron Murray.
VALENTINE HOLMES
The Cowboys star will play his first Origin since 2018 after playing with the New York Jets in the NFL.
Holmes was always ready to get back on the team once his suspension expired, but he should play on the wing where he has made eight tries in five origins.
However, AJ Brimson’s foot injury opened the door for Holmes to play his favorite position as a defender, but he’s untested at that level in the No. 1.
Holmes can expect lots of high balls from the Blues halves in Origin II, but he has the skill and speed to make his new role a success.
DUNAMIS LUI
Christian Welch’s injury has allowed Dunamis Lui to come out of the clouds to secure his Origin debut in Game II at the ANZ Stadium.
The 30-year-old veteran will start in his first Origin match for Queensland after 158 games for the Broncos, Sea Eagles, Dragons and Raiders in a 10-year career.
Lui was one of the main lights for the Raiders after suffering a string of unfortunate injuries that reduced their chances of a great 2020 final.
Lui is the type of gamer Wayne Bennett loves as he has no fuss and rolls up his sleeves and does the dirty work that will be vital in enemy territory.
MOEAKI FOTUAIKA
The Gold Coast prop was considered unfortunate for the Titans not to make its Origin I debut after a breakout season.
However, Christian Welch’s injury and decision to ditch Cohen Hess opened the door for Fotuaika to end a great season with his first Queensland cap.
The 20-year-old has already played 55 NRL games and offers the Maroons bench difference and a bigger body to take on Payne Haas and Daniel Saifiti.
LOSER
Luke Keary
In the toughest pick from either side after Origin I, Luke Keary became the scapegoat for the blues failure.
The Blues led 10-0 at halftime and looked controlled. Keary played well and still finished the game with 74 meters, two tackle busts, and an offload.
However, he made two mistakes and three missed tackles and ultimately had to pay for NSW to only score four points and concede 18 goals in the second half.
The blues looked far more dangerous when Cody Walker joined the fight off the bench, and it was the Rabbitohs star’s success rather than Keary’s failures that cost him his place.
COEN HESS
Wayne Bennett urged Cowboy big man Coen Hess to earn his callback before Game I, but he clearly didn’t answer his trainer’s call.
The 24-year-old stepped into the prestigious scene in 2017 when the Cowboys contested a second grand final in three years, but he’s done little since then.
Hess made only 29 yards of five runs in Origin I and he looks disinterested and not enthusiastic about his rugby league career.
Despite the Maroons win, Bennett decided to promote Jaydn Su’A to the home page and put Fotuaika on the bench, and Hess couldn’t even make a reserve spot this time around.
BRENKO LEE
Granted, Lee was a late scratch in the first game due to a calf injury and with the brief turnaround there is no guarantee of playing in Game II.
However, getting into the Queensland reserve list without playing a game in a week right before your starting debut is quite difficult.
Lee was Origin I’s unlucky story after injuring his calf during the captain’s run and being disqualified from warm-up an hour before kick-off.
Bennett believes he’ll be right to play if selected in Game II, but the success of Dane Gagai and Kurt Capewell will make it very difficult for him to get on a winning side.
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