Posted: 2024-06-24 19:27:42

State of Origin season is in full swing, with the second match fast approaching.

The stakes are especially high for the New South Wales Blues after a hammering in home territory saw them go down to the Queensland Maroons 38-10.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of game II. 

When is State of Origin game II?

The second match will be on Wednesday, June 26.

What time is kick-off?

  • 8:05pm AEST: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria
  • 7:35pm ACST: Northern Territory, South Australia
  • 6:05pm AWST: Western Australia

Where is game II?

Game II will be played at the MCG in Melbourne.

It's been a lucky venue for New South Wales in the past, with the Blues claiming wins in four out of the five games played there. 

The stats show they perform marginally better than the Maroons on neutral territory, though. 

Of the 14 games played outside Queensland and New South Wales, the Blues have won eight. 

What channel is State of Origin on?

The State of Origin matches are broadcast free-to-air on Channel Nine and will also stream on 9Now.

You can also listen to live coverage of the match on ABC Radio via the ABC listen app.

ABC Sport will live blog the match on the ABC News website.

How have the teams changed since game I?

Both Blues coach Michael Maguire and Maroons coach Billy Slater have opted for some changes to their squads ahead of game II. 

Felise Kaufusi, and Kurt Capewell will add some experience to the Maroons' interchange bench, having earned their spots in the 17. 

Star attacker Reece Walsh will take to the field for the first time since a high shot by Blues debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii left him heavily concussed in Game I. 

Reece Walsh is attended to by medical staff after being knocked out during State of Origin

Reece Walsh was ruled out of almost the entire first match after showing category one concussion symptoms.(Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

In line with the NRL's mandatory 11-day stand-down period, Walsh was sidelined for the Broncos' loss to the Sharks and the round 15 match against the Rabbitohs. 

Suaalii, who copped a four-game ban in response to the tackle, won't play again before teams are picked for Game III. 

His suspension has made way for Latrell Mitchell's State of Origin return.

Nicho Hynes has been dropped in favour of Mitchell Moses a New South Wales halfback.  

New South WalesJersey numberQueensland
Dylan Edwards1Reece Walsh
Brian To'o2Xavier Coates
Stephen Crichton3Valentine Holmes
Latrell Mitchell4Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Zac Lomax5Murray Taulagi
Jarome Luai6Tom Dearden
Mitchell Moses7Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
Jake Trbojevic (c) 8Reuben Cotter
Reece Robson9Ben Hunt
Payne Haas10Lindsay Collins
Liam Martin11Jaydn Su'A
Angus Crichton12Jeremiah Nanai
Cameron Murray13Patrick Carrigan
Connor Watson14Harry Grant
Isaah Yeo15Moeaki Fotuaika
Haumole Olakau'atu16Felise Kaufusi
Spencer Leniu17Kurt Capewell
Mitch Barnett18Dane Gagai
Cameron McInnes19Heilum Luki
Luke Keary20Trent Loiero

When is State of Origin game III?

The third and final State of Origin match will be played three weeks from the second match — Wednesday, July 17.

Where will State of Origin game III be played?

The series will head to Brisbane's Lang Park.

Unsurprisingly, this is where the Maroons shine. 

They've won 65 per cent of all games played here, including the past two. 

When is the Women's State of Origin?

A woman runs the ball during a rugby league match

The women's State of Origin will have a historic decider in Townsville. (Getty Images: Hannah Peters)

Thursday night. 

The third and final match in the Women's State of Origin series will be a big one, with both sides having chalked up a win. 

The Sky Blues won their first match with a convincing 22 to 12 over Queensland on May 16. 

In the second match on June 6, Queensland's Lauren Brown kicked a last-minute field goal taking the score from 11 to 10 and keeping the series alive. 

It's set the sides up for a tense decider match, which will be played in Townsville

What time is kick-off for the Women's State of Origin?

  • 7.45pm AEST: ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria
  • 7:15pm ACST: Northern Territory, South Australia
  • 6:45pm AWST: Western Australia 

What channel is the Women's State of Origin final on? 

It'll be broadcast free-to-air on Channel Nine and will also stream on 9Now.

You can also listen to live coverage of the match on ABC Radio via the ABC listen app.

ABC Sport will live blog the match on the ABC News website.

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