After the NSW Blues lost to Queensland on Wednesday night, ten players will have two weeks to support their case for Origin selection for New South Wales.
Coach Brad Fittler is sure to make at least a couple of changes as he fights for his job as NSW head coach and to keep the 2023 State of Origin series alive.
From some players who possibly should have been picked for Game 1, to players to returning stars and others overdue for a debut, here are the ten players Fittler could bring into calculations for a Game 2 jersey.
Unlucky to miss out on selection for Game 1, Damien Cook will have two weeks to prove he deserves a spot to provide NSW with a one-two punch with Apisai Koroisau.
Despite Koroisau being one of the better performers for NSW, you could sense his exhaustion near the end of the game. If Cook and Koroisau share minutes, it will keep both fit off the bench just like Ben Hunt and Harry Grant for Queensland.
A player that was expected to be selected in Game 1 due to his great early season form, Haumole Olakau'atu struggled to string together good performances in recent times with his form dipping.
A strong imitating back-rower, he can still drop his name into selection with a strong showing against the Dolphins next week. Going up against the likes of the Bromwich brothers, if he is able to dominate he might just make enough noise to be selected on the interchange bench.
The Bunnies front-rower, Tevita Tatola was a surprinsing name not in the conversation for Game 1, despite many fans and critics thinking he deserved Tevita Pangai Junior's spot.
The reigning George Piggins Medalist, Tatola could be used as an immediate switch for Pangai Junior to partner Payne Haas. A consistent performer, you known what to expect from him with strong runs, impeccable defence and very little ball-handling mistakes.
Selected as the 19th man in Game 1, Stefano Utoikamanu is extremely close to selection and making his Origin debut- just two spots away from Game 1.
A junior representative, he has been a major piece in the Tigers' forward pack in the last month, which has seen them register three wins. His toughness and aggressiveness would be extremely useful coming off the bench for Payne Haas in the prop role.
While many might not want more Panthers players in the NSW side, Spencer Leniu has repeatedly shown why he deserves one of four interchange bench spots.
Expected to return this week from a ruptured testicle, he can easily play the same role Liam Martin did in Game 1, if Martin moves to the starting 13. Leniu has made a career of performance from limited minutes and is as tough as they come. He is built for the Origin arena.
Anothe Rabbitoh to just miss out on selection for Game 1, Campbell Graham was originally meant to come in for Latrell Mitchell but unfrotunately endured a sternum injury.
Now back at full fitness and recoverd from injury, Graham is a big-chance of securing one of the two centre positions- especially with the injury of Tom Trbojevic. He is has recently shown his use at representative level, playing for Australia at the World Cup.
Only brought into the squad as an 18th man after the injury to Latrell Mitchell, Matt Burton has shown he deserves another shot on the Origin stage.
While Burton is unlikely to gain a spot on the starting team, his versatility sets him apart from others. Coming off the bench, he could be used in the centres, halves, backs and even back-row. If he was used in Game 1 he would have neen the perfect replacement for the injured 'Tommy Turbo'.
After a delayed start to his 2023 NRL season, Angus Crichton has two games to impress 'Freddy' Fittler against the Bulldogs and Panthers to take one of the interchange spots.
Not unknown to the Origin arena, with 11 previous appearances, Crichton's experience will be invaluable to the side. He's also strong on both ends of the field and can be dominant in limited minutes coming off the interchange bench.
Currently a one-game wonder of State of Origin, Kotoni Staggs may fill the centre position role if Tom Trbjovic is unable to compete in Game 2 due to the concussion he received on Wednesday night.
Staggs could press for selection if he can perform well against Siosifa Talakai this week and the Newcastle Knights in the next. With the Maroons' being a Broncos-dominated side, he could be useful in knowing what to expect from the likes of Selwyn Cobbo when defending.
Latrell Mitchell is an automatic selection in the Game 2 team if he rebounds from a calf injury that saw him miss the previous Origin game. However, it is unlikely he won't play another NRL game before Game 2.
Although Stephen Crichton did a reasonable job in Mitchell's absence, Latrell is a different kind of beast. Mitchell is sure to add extra skill with the ball in his hand and can punish the Maroons in a glimpse of a second.