Queensland’s 11-10 win over New South Wales in Game I has set up a thrilling edition of State of Origin in 2015.

The Maroons, who saw their eight-year winning streak come to an end last year, are desperate to hit back but will be without Cooper Cronk in Game II – held at Melbourne’s MCG next Wednesday – due to a knee injury.

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With the teams released, Will Evans runs the rule over both sides ahead of the much-anticipated clash.

Is Trent Hodkinson lucky to retain his spot? Photo: Getty

Hooked ‘Hodko’ entrusted with Blues’ fate

With 22 minutes left and his team trailing St George Illawarra 16-10 on Monday, Canterbury coach Des Hasler replaced his halfback – and NSW’s incumbent No.7 – Trent Hodkinson.

Perhaps even more telling than Hasler’s vote of no-confidence in Hodkinson was the fact his replacement, Blues reject Josh Reynolds, sparked a run of 19 unanswered points to clinch a stirring win for the Bulldogs.

While a great result for the club, it was another sorry chapter in a difficult year for the out-of-sorts ‘Hodko’.

Traditionally, when a team heads into the final quarter of a match just six points down, the halfback is expected to be trying to pull the game out of the fire – not warming the bench.

Despite a baffling number of pundits contending otherwise, Hodkinson had a poor game in NSW’s 11-10 loss to Queensland in the series opener.

Watch the tries from Game I here

After a solid enough first half, he began the second half by inexcusably failing to find touch from a penalty near the Blues’ line. His game unravelled thereafter, going into his shell and refusing to call the shots when his team was crying out for direction.

Hodkinson couldn’t perform in the clutch situations in Origin I, while Hasler wouldn’t even trust him with the responsibility in a tight NRL clash.

Yet Laurie Daley has persisted with Hodkinson as his chief playmaker for the Blues’ must-win Origin II mission in Melbourne.

Mitchell Pearce has also been handed yet another chance despite an equally dismal – and painfully familiar – showing in the series opener, but at least he has strong club form on the board.

In retaining Hodkinson, Daley has overlooked a host of players who could have saved the series for him, including Blake Austin, James Maloney and Jamie Soward.

Fifita bumped as Daley goes ultra-conservative

Daley has further underlined his conservative strategy by making Andrew Fifita the odd man out for returning captain Paul Gallen, with Josh Jackson moving back to the bench after debuting at lock in game one.

Andrew Fifita was unlucky to be dropped for Origin II. Photo: Getty

Aside from a flash of Josh Dugan brilliance and a well-constructed set move, the Blues barely tested the Maroons’ defence in Sydney. Fifita was one of the few players picked for the series opener capable of creating an opportunity with a tackle-busting run or an improbable offload.

NSW’s much-hyped four-forward bench was an unequivocal flop, and now the interchange contingent has been stripped of its most dynamic member.

Daley is obviously content to try and grind out a win with a game-plan based on defence, kicking for the corners (if Pearce was actually capable of finding open pasture with the boot) and hoping Queensland falls for a couple of second-man block plays, laying the platform for a low-scoring victory.

For all the improvements Daley has made to the Blues’ set-up, they have failed to score more than two tries or 14 points in his seven matches in charge, crossing just once on three occasions and averaging less than 10 points per game. They are crying out for the likes of Fifita, Austin, James Roberts and Tyson Frizell.

Boyd Cordner and Will Hopoate can count themselves extremely lucky to be retained.

Containment came off for Daley last year on the back of a monumental defensive display in the first two clashes. After losing the first game at home, that won’t be enough this time around for a Blues side severely lacking in game-breakers.

Brett Morris’ return is a boost for the Blues. Photo: Getty

Returning veterans a plus for Blues

Expect an improved showing overall from the Blues, however, following the return of Gallen and Brett Morris. Gallen always lifts a couple of notches for Origin, and despite Phil Gould’s claims that the 33-year-old has “done his job” for the team, the fact is his state needs him.

Morris may be playing fullback at club level, but he remains the code’s No.1 winger, while his return also rids NSW of Origin I dud Daniel Tupou.

One of the most prolific try-scorers of the NRL era, Morris’ defensive expertise could prove just as valuable to the Blues’ series-saving quest.

Meanwhile, Robbie Farah’s clean bill of health has rescued Daley from making the monumental blunder of recalling veteran hooker Michael Ennis.

DCE the only choice for Maroons

Whatever your thoughts are on Daly Cherry-Evans’ contract back-flip last week, there is no question that the under-fire Manly halfback is the man to fill the breach left by injured star Cronk.

There have been suggestions that Cherry-Evans’ actions have put him at odds with the Maroons’ hierarchy, but Mal Meninga and co. are far too savvy to put emotion and politics ahead of such a vital selection.

Brisbane livewire Ben Hunt received support for a call-up after a man-of-the-match display opposite Cherry-Evans last Friday night, while Origin I utility Michael Morgan has been in sparkling form alongside Johnathan Thurston in the Cowboys’ halves.

Both were valid options, but inferior to drafting in 11-Test and five-Origin veteran Cherry-Evans, who is one of the game’s top three halves along with Thurston and Cronk.

Daly Cherry-Evans is the right man to replace Cronk. Photo: Getty

But the Melbourne maestro’s absence is cause for concern for the Maroons.

After Cronk left the field early in the 2014 series opener with a broken arm, the Blues surged to their first series triumph in nine years.

When he returned for the dead rubber, Queensland blitzed the newly-crowned interstate champs 32-8, while he proved the cool-headed match-winner in Sydney a fortnight ago.

Cherry-Evans underwhelmed in his long-awaited chance in the No.7 jumper and his combination with Thurston spluttered.

But he will be better for that experience, and he has the added motivation of silencing his detractors with a virtuoso performance on the code’s biggest stage.

DCE’s inclusion is the only change to the clinical Queensland side that were far more convincing in winning the opening encounter than the one-point margin suggested.

The Maroons deservedly go into the first MCG Origin since 1997 as resounding favourites to wrap up the series.

Official squads

New South Wales: Josh Dugan, Brett Morris, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, Will Hopoate, Mitchell Pearce, Trent Hodkinson, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, James Tamou, Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman, Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: Trent Merrin, Boyd Cordner, David Klemmer, Josh Jackson. Coach: Laurie Daley.

Queensland: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Will Chambers, Johnathan Thurston, Daly Cherry-Evans, Matthew Scott, Cameron Smith (c), Nate Myles, Aidan Guerra, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Michael Morgan, Matt Gillett, Jacob Lillyman, Josh McGuire. Coach: Mal Meninga.