Tonga called into QLD side

Bulldogs centre Willie Tonga has been called into the Queensland side for next Wednesday night?s second State of Origin match at Brisbane?s Suncorp Stadium.

The in-form Tonga will replace Brent Tate who was this morning ruled out of the game with a shoulder injury.

20-year-old Tonga scored three tries in the Bulldogs? 40-12 demolition of the Sydney Roosters last weekend and many expected him to be named in the initial side on Monday afternoon.

Tonga is expected to slot straight into the vacant centre position along side North Queensland Cowboys skipper Paul Bowman.

Next Wednesday?s match, which sees the return of Brad Fittler to Origin football, is evenly poised, with SportOdds posting odds of $1.90 for both New South Wales and Queensland.

The first match at Telstra Stadium went down to the wire, with New South Wales winning 9-8 thanks to a Shaun Timmins field goal in extra time.

Yesterday, Sean Hampstead was appointed to referee the match.