NSW Team for Origin II

Well, the rumours all week have been true. The NSW selectors today named their finest 17 men to take on the Queenslanders in Origin II on June 15, dropping halfback Brett Kimmorley from the squad. Trent Barrett has been shuffled into the no.7 jersey, with Bulldogs pivot Braith Anasta finding himself in the team after a string of good performances for his club.

Anthony Watmough has also tasted the selection axe after only one game in the sky blue, with team mate Steve Menzies claiming his bench spot. The remainder of the team is unchanged from the original side that went down to the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium on May 25.

The full team is:

Anthony Minichiello Matt King Mark Gasnier Matt Cooper Luke Rooney Braith Anasta Trent Barrett Jason Ryles Danny Buderus (c) Luke Bailey Nathan Hindmarsh Craig Fitzgibbon Ben Kennedy

Interchange: Craig Wing, Andrew Ryan, Steve Menzies, Steve Simpson.