Murray backs Lillyman's selection

Queensland's call up of Jacob Lillyman to replace injured Tonie Carroll for the second State of Origin rugby league match took many by surprise... but not NSW coach Graham Murray.

Murray, who is Lillyman's NRL coach at North Queensland, says only injuries have prevented the second-rower from making a bigger mark on the NRL this season. The NSW mentor says he was surprised by the omission of Matt Bowen in the Maroons squad, but he expects the fullback to bounce back from the setback.