NSW Drops Olakau'atu for State of Origin II

NSW has dropped Haumole Olakau'atu for State of Origin II and called Dylan Lucas into the starting side for his Blues debut.

Blues coach Laurie Daley confirmed on Tuesday morning Mitchell Moses would start in the halves alongside Nathan Cleary, despite a hamstring injury that clouded his availability.

But the biggest shock is the omission of in-form Olakau'atu, who drops out to pave the way for Newcastle second-rower Lucas to start next to Hudson Young.

Olakau'atu is the new 20th man, which is the role Lucas filled in the Blues' 22-20 win over Queensland in Origin I last month.

"It's difficult to have those chats, but you're just going to make the decision on what you think is in the best interest of the team," Daley said.

"We tried to see whether we could put him (Olakau'atu) on the bench. But just the balance of the side and the balance of the bench with another back-rower, we felt like we needed a big man.

"It's one of those hard calls that you've got to make. He's a destructive back-rower, but unfortunately we want to give Dyl a run in this game and I'm sure that he'll play really well."

After being named in the initial squad, Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton dropped out with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Mark Nawaqanitawase.

Penrith's Casey McLean takes Crichton's place in the centres after impressing on debut in Origin I, with Nawaqanitawase listed on the bench.

Tolu Koula holds his spot on the wing.

Moses's return to the starting side pushes rising Canberra star Ethan Strange to the bench.

Strange impressed as a late replacement at five-eighth in Origin I.

As expected, Brisbane prop Payne Haas comes back into the starting side after missing the series opener with a knee injury.

His inclusion pushes Addin Fonua-Blake to the bench.

Four-time Blues representative Api Koroisau will start from the bench after being recalled in place of injured back-up hooker Blayke Brailey.

Blues squad:

1 James Tedesco, 2 Brian To'o, 3 Casey McLean, 4 Kotoni Staggs, 5 Tolu Koula, 6 Mitchell Moses, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Payne Haas, 9 Reece Robson, 10 Mitch Barnett, 11 Hudson Young, 12 Dylan Lucas, 13 Isaah Yeo (C), 14 Cameron Murray, 15 Victor Radley, 16 Addin Fonua-Blake, 17 Api Koroisau, 18 Ethan Strange, 19 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 20 Haumole Olakau'atu