Maroons to swing the changes
The Maroons are under huge pressure to start dismantling their all-conquering State of Origin side. We're hearing Mal Meninga has had serious discussions with his selectors following Wednesday night's loss to New South Wales and claims father time is catching up to a number of his stars. "Mal doesn't want a situation like the Australian cricket team a number of years ago when Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist all retired at the same time," said one senior Maroons official. One thing certain is that Raiders wrecking ball Josh Papalii will come into the side for the return game. His clash with Paul Gallen will be a beauty. The two are firm enemies after a spiteful clash when they opposed each other in Canberra last year. There is also talk of either Ben Barba or Daly Cherry-Evans being included on the Maroons bench, particularly if there are still problems over Johnathan Thurston's fitness. Thurston was playing wounded and ineffective in the opener while halfback Cooper Cronk is also off his game. Barba would give the Maroons some attacking spark in attack that was sadly missing in the opening game.
Taupua a good get for Wests
The Tigers' signing of rising Bulldogs prop Marty Taupua is a major coup for the struggling joint venture. Both Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy and Eels coach Ricky Stuart were desperate to sign Taupua, but he chose to go to the Tigers in 2014 in a big vote of confidence in rookie coach Mick Potter. Stuart even tried to sign the young tearaway for the remainder of this season - but the Bulldogs wouldn't let him out of his current deal. Taupua was actually signed to the Dogs until the end of next season but the club allowed him to leave to pick up a much larger pay packet from the Tigers.
Source: http://www.sportal.com.au/
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