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What changes should NSW make for Game III?
Sam Kosack • June 19th, 2025 2:00 pm
Andrew Voss has called for changes to New South Wales’s forward pack after their 26-24 loss in Game II of the State of Origin series.
New South Wales were soundly outplayed by Queensland in the first half, down 26-6 at half-time before clawing their way back to almost steal what would have been one of the biggest comebacks in Origin history.
In a reversal of events from Game I, NSW’s forward pack was unable to match the physicality and aggression of Queensland’s, leading Voss to declare a starting forward position is up for grabs, calling for Max King to revert to the bench at the expense of Stefano Utoikamanu.
Utoikamanu played 27 minutes in Game II, having been called in to replace the injured Mitch Barnett. He finished the game with five runs for 41 metres and 22 tackles with one missed.
After only managing 25 minutes starting in Game II, Voss also wants to see King revert back to his bench role from Game I where he was very effective.
“New South Wales really have a problem,” Voss commented on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“If you're only going to have your starting front rower playing 24 minutes, well that's Jake Trbojevic areas.
“They're going to have a rethink there. Max (King) is obviously not a starting front rower in Origin eyes because he played the 24 minutes and that's it.
“So, a starting front rower position is up for grabs though and then I'm not putting a question mark, I'm putting out Stefano Utoikamanu.”
NSW legend Greg Alexander disagreed however, saying the NSW forwards underperformed across the board and shouldn’t rush into making sweeping changes.
“Even the big carriers, there weren't high numbers for New South Wales right across the board in the middle of the field… (Isaah) Yeo's numbers were down, Payne’s (Haas) numbers were down.
“If you’re not keeping (Utoikamanu), the front rowers that (could play are) Keaon Koloamatangi… and the other one that’s been mentioned is Terrell May… on debut for a decider.
“There’s probably question marks over a couple of players but… even though we weren’t great in Game I, there was a lot of improvement left in us. We didn’t see that come to the fore last night but I’m not bringing in sweeping changes.
“If they go on to lose the series, well, that will be a bitter pill to swallow after beating Queensland in Queensland in Game One.
“If we change those players… does that mean that all of a sudden, it's a different team, or are you saying you want to see change in positions that can have a bigger impact on the side?”
Game III takes place in Sydney on July 9.
