Rugby League News | Raidercast

Wed, 17th June, 2026, 20:24 AEST
Daley resists late changes for MCG Origin clash
NSW coach Laurie Daley confirms no late changes for State of Origin game two, retaining his starting lineup against Queensland, aiming for a series win.
The Canberra Times
NSW coach Laurie Daley has resisted any temptation to make late changes with the Blues and Queensland set to take the field as named for State of Origin game two.
Daley was under pressure to start bench forward Cameron Murray in a middle forward position as the Blues look to clinch the series at the MCG but had been adamant on match eve that wouldn't be happening.
He was true to his word, keeping Payne Haas and Mitch Barnett in the front-row and captain Isaah Yeo at lock for Wednesday night's showdown.
Queensland are listed 1-19 as expected with coach Billy Slater's men needing a win to square the series after losing game one 22-20 in Sydney after leading 20-0.
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Tue, 16th June, 2026, 18:28 AEST
'Playing with confidence': Blues skipper backs star
NSW skipper Isaah Yeo supports Nathan Cleary, who may join elite company with a strong performance in Origin II as he aims for his 19th match.
The Canberra Times
NSW skipper Isaah Yeo is backing Nathan Cleary to silence his detractors, with the playmaker having the chance to join elite company if he delivers another star performance in State of Origin II.
Cleary will line up for his 19th Origin when the Blues look to seal the series at the MCG on Wednesday night.
The Penrith superstar has won nine of those matches despite having a suite of five-eighth partners including James Maloney, Cody Walker, Luke Keary, Jarome Luai, Mitchell Moses and Ethan Strange.
He will partner Moses in the halves in Melbourne as the Parramatta veteran returns from injury.
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Tue, 16th June, 2026, 17:26 AEST
Daley reveals Strange role, Murray's spot for Origin 2
Ethan Strange will play second-row for NSW Blues in Game 2, after impressing in his Origin debut at five-eighth.
Zero Tackle
NSW Blues State of Origin head coach Laurie Daley has revealed Ethan Strange will be employed in the second-row for Game 2 of the series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday evening.
Strange played at five-eighth in his Origin debut and was among the best for the Blues in the comeback win.
The Blues found themselves calling Strange into the starting side just days out from the game after a hamstring injury ruled Mitchell Moses out of the contest.
Strange is no secret to playing multiple roles, but flourished in his preferred position during the series opener.
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Tue, 16th June, 2026, 17:02 AEST
Storm v Raiders: Howarth, Wishart return; Origin duo named
Storm hosts Raiders after a win against the Knights, aiming to maintain form; Raiders seek to end a four-game slump.
NRL.com
Back at home after their first bye of the season, the Storm will be looking to build in their recent run of winning form when they host the Raiders.
In their last match in Round 13, the Storm held on against the Knights in an important and hard-fought win. If they are to keep their impressive consecutive finals record intact, they will need to keep working on their basics and be switched on to any second-half fightbacks.
The Raiders however are fighting to emerge from a form slump of their own where they have lost four their past five matches.
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Tue, 16th June, 2026, 16:10 AEST
Blues stay solid despite slow State of Origin starts
NSW coach Laurie Daley won't change his lineup despite Cameron Murray's stats. The Blues aim to win the series at MCG after a comeback in game one.
The Canberra Times
NSW coach Laurie Daley has no plans to tinker with his line-up despite compelling statistics surrounding the Blues' starts - and the impact of Cameron Murray - in recent State of Origin clashes against Queensland.
The Blues are looking to wrap up the series with victory at the MCG on Wednesday night after winning game one in Sydney.
At a joint press conference alongside the Yarra river on Tuesday, Daley was an open book around how he would use his talent, saying Ethan Strange would come off the bench to play in the back row.
In contrast, Queensland coach Billy Slater kept his strategy for super-sub Reece Walsh a secret.
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