Wholesale change the only option for State of Origin Game 2, says NSW coach Brad Fittler

• Blues make seven changes for weekend's game in Perth
• We have no safety net at the moment,' says Fittler

NSW coach Brad Fittler has defended his decision to make seven changes to his Blues squad after the narrow loss in the State of Origin series opener, insisting he could not afford not to reassess" for Game 2 against Queensland, who have made just two changes to their winning team.

Ryan Matterson, Kotoni Staggs, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Tariq Sims have all been dropped from the Blues' 17 that lost 16-10 to Queensland, with Jack Wighton (Covid-19) the only forced change. Jacob Saifiti and Tyson Frizell are also out of the extended squad for Origin II, to be played in Perth on 26 June.