One New Zealand Warriors co-captain Mitchell Barnett will again match up against his clubmate Kurt Capewell when New South Wales and Queensland clash in game two of this year’s State of Origin series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next Wednesday (June 17).
The 32-year-old Barnett has today been confirmed to again start in the Blues’ front row again, this time with Brisbane’s Payne Haas as his fellow prop while ex-Warrior Addin Fonua-Blake has been switched to the interchange.
Barnett will make his fourth Origin appearance as New South Wales bids to secure an unbeatable 2-0 series lead after taking out the opening match 22-20 in Sydney.
A win in Melbourne would also give Barnett a fourth consecutive win for the Blues after previous victories on debut in 2023 and in game one last year before his season was ended by a knee injury.
While the Warriors will again be represented by Barnett and Capewell, New South Wales coach Laurie Daley has once more overlooked in-form Warriors Jackson Ford and Wayde Egan.
New South Wales will field a side showing a number of changes including Kiwi sensation Casey McLean starting in the centres replacing the injured Stephen Crichton, Mitchell Moses coming back in the #6 jersey and Newcastle’s Dylan Lucas called up for his debut in the second row.
