5 changes. Hopoate the big surprise there. Glad Gallens been moved to the front row.

NSW: Josh Dugan, Jarryd Hayne, Will Hopoate, Mark Gasnier, Akuila Uate, Jamie Soward, Mitchell Pearce, Paul Gallen (capt), Michael Ennis, Tim Mannah, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Greg Bird.

Interchange: Trent Merrin, Kurt Gidley, Anthony Watmough, Luke Lewis.

Wasn't Dugan injured today?

He injured his ankle, I'm not sure if they know how serious it is yet.
The Herald Sun reckon Brett Stewart will get called up to the squad if Duggans
out.

Is Idris injured?

I really don't understand Hopoate getting picked.

I dont think so, I was surprised but past trying to guess what goes through the NSW coaches heads.

Idris plays right. jennings plays left.

Jennings turned his ankle, out for a few weeks.

Happy with that side.

That old cliche, you never wish an injury on someone, but stuff it, i'm glad Morris is out and over the moon that Hayne is in.

Real pity about Jennings after his convincing redemption in Game I, but VERY excited that Hopoate replaces him. This kid is the real deal, can't wait to see how he goes.

Really hope Dugan pulls up ok, cus a back 3 of Dugan, Hayne and Uate is orgasm worthy.

Lewis in is the icing on the cake. The guy should be starting and Creagh should be f*cked off (at least he's starting and not being completely useless off the bench). Think we could've kept Gallen in the backrow and played TLL, who had a pretty good game in a beaten side today. But whatever, can't win them all.

Definitely worthy of being excited and optimistic about.

Hoppa is a good player but what was all that about not playing players out of position?
He either plays left wing or FB for Manly, now he's in the NSW side at centre.
Still at least Morris and King are gone and the likes of Gidley, Lewis and Watmough are in.

Hayne
Hopoate
Idris
Gaz
Uate

if Dugan is out

I dont think he'll do that, i reckon Sticky could put Brett Stewart in for Dugan at FB as he's showing some good form since coming back from injury and Manly are flying at the minute.
Another option could be Gidley at FB with someone else on the bench like Idris.
I'm surprised Josh Morris hasn't been picked for Jennings, he plays left centre for the Dogs and has played for NSW and Aus before. He's not been in great form lately but then neither was Jennings for game 1.
I'm glad Hayne is in the side, makes them more of a threat but i cant see him moving to FB after Sticky saying he's not the sort of FB he's looking for, and he's more of a 5/8 etc.
Gallen moving to prop is a good move, he plays like a prop anyway and makes more metres than anyone so it's a good move. Plus NSW greatest strength is there backrow options so now they can have an extra backrower. Ben Creagh wouldn't be in my team but he is better starting as he offers nothing from the bench so that's a good move. I'd have gone with Lewis starting with Scott and Bird with Watmough from the bench, Watmough has been great for Manly this year and offers good impact from the bench. Then i'd have rather seen TLL on the bench with Creagh dropped but it's still a very good side and it's better than the first one. Gidley is streets ahead of Young as the bench utility and Ennis is better starting.
The only surprise for me was Hopoate, especially as he's only played 14 NRL games on the wing and FB and then he picks him at centre plus he's leaving the game for 2 years at the end of this year so it's not a team for the next few years with him there but he's a very good exciting player. It's a shame Chris Lawrence is injured and i'm gutted Jennings wont be there, he finally has a great game and then gets injured which is just typical for NSW. I think they've got a great chance for this game. Should be a cracker.
Ricky said he'd stick with the same team barring injuries but how can he when you get blokes like King getting dominated totally and Dean Young was never gonna keep his place when Gidley was back.

They'll sneak this one I reckon but get well beat in the decider.

The SMH is saying that Minichiello will be the FB as Dugan is gonna be out for 2-4 weeks.
Apparently Sticky has been impressed with him even in a struggling Roosters side. Stewart would have been picked but he's been struggling with injuries lately and cant train every day so he'll pick Mini.
Strange choice for me, Mini's had his day and was great but not anymore. What happened to building for the future etc, surely Stewart should play even if he cant train every day or put Hayne there, Hoppa on the wing and Idris at centre.

Just confirmed on 7 news there that Minichiello has been called up to the squad.
Building for the future eh?

C( news earlier had Minichiello live saying he has been told by Stuart he will be full back. He then added, he will wait to see what happens in camp though