Queensland legend Cooper Cronk has issued a major warning to the Maroons ahead of State of Origin Game II, with the Blues set to unleash a familiar and dangerous combination in Perth this Wednesday.
With Mitchell Moses officially ruled out of the clash due to a calf injury, Jarome Luai has been recalled to the NSW squad, set to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves. The former Penrith Panthers teammates will reunite in a combination that already boasts a Premiership-winning history at club level.
Luai, who was part of NSW’s series-winning side in 2023, now steps into a well-connected spine alongside Cleary, fullback Dylan Edwards, and lock Isaah Yeo—all integral members of the Panthers’ NRL dynasty.
And for Cronk, that familiarity is exactly what Queensland must fear.
“Luai will love this. He’s been toiling away at the Tigers, trying to be the main man, mixing between being the star player and the game manager,” Cronk said on Fox League.
“He’s going to stroll back into that left-hand side, like good old warm shoes, and just go and take it on.
“He was terrific last year for NSW. Nathan’s going to thrive on it.
“They lose a little bit but not much at all. Jarome Luai will be loving this.”
While the absence of Moses, one of NSW’s form players in 2024, was seen as a blow to the Blues’ chances of levelling the series, Cronk’s assessment suggests the Maroons can expect a fluid, high-quality attack with Luai and Cleary pulling the strings.
Joining the warning chorus was Kevin Walters, who echoed Cronk’s sentiments about Luai’s big-game experience and Origin pedigree.
“What a bloody good replacement in Luai,” Walters said.
“He’s excelled at that level so many times. Just go back to last year, he was a very important player for the Blues.”
Adding to the confidence around Luai’s return was Blues advisor Greg Alexander, who believes the Tigers five-eighth is rediscovering his best form at exactly the right time.
“I thought the game against Penrith on the weekend was his best game that he’s had this year,” Alexander said.
⚠ What It Means for Queensland
•The Maroons will now face a more familiar and potentially more dangerous halves pairing in Game II.
•While Moses’ kicking game and structured play will be missed, Luai’s instinctive, running style could prove equally threatening, especially given his telepathic connection with Cleary and Yeo.
•Queensland must prepare for swift, cohesive attacking shapes on NSW’s left edge, where Luai has thrived in both NRL and Origin arenas.
With NSW desperate to keep the series alive and their key playmakers back in familiar combinations, Game II is now set to be an intense showdown, with all pressure falling squarely on the Maroons’ defense.
