Three Melbourne Storm players have been chosen for the Queensland Maroons squad to compete against the New South Wales Blues in Game II of the State of Origin at the MCG on June 26.
Following their impressive performances in Game I, Storm’s Xavier Coates and Harry Grant have been retained in the team. Trent Loiero has also been named in Billy Slater’s 20-man squad for the first time.
In the first game of the series, Coates scored a try, made seven tackle breaks, and covered over 200 meters, while Harry Grant made 33 tackles and ran for 66 meters.
Loiero and Coates have previously played together for the U18s QLD Maroons in 2019.
This will be the first State of Origin game in Melbourne since 2018, as the 2021 series was relocated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
**Maroons team for Game Two:**
– Reece Walsh (Broncos)
– Xavier Coates (Storm)
– Valentine Holmes (Cowboys)
– Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
– Murray Taulagi (Cowboys)
– Tom Dearden (Cowboys)
– Daly Cherry-Evans, capt. (Sea Eagles)
– Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
– Ben Hunt (Dragons)
– Lindsay Collins (Roosters)
– Jaydn Su’A (Dragons)
– Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys)
– Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
– Harry Grant (Storm)
– Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans)
– Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins)
– Kurt Capewell (Warriors)
– Dane Gagai (Knights)
– Heilum Luki (Cowboys)
– Trent Loiero (Storm)
**Coach:** Billy Slater