How the Maroons can contain NSW's "dangerous" backline

Queensland Maroons legend Cameron Smith has identified the new-look New South Wales halves pairing of Mitchell Moses and Jarome Luai as the keys for a Blues attacking barrage in Game II in Melbourne.

Blues coach Michael Maguire picked a more potent attacking side to try and keep the series alive after what Smith believed was a “defensive-minded” outfit in the Origin opener, which Queensland won.

While Luai retained his spot, Parramatta halfback Moses returns to the Origin arena and Smith said NSW put the pairing together with the aim of tearing through the Maroons defence.

“Well, (Maguire) is going to have to be more attack orientated, there’s no doubt about that,” Smith said on Breakfast SENQ.

“We spoke about that in the lead up to the first game, it was a very defensive minded footy side, heavily relying on their back five to make good metres for them out of their own end and defend their way to a victory (and) minimise the points Queensland scored.

“This time, they need to look for points and it’s why they’ve gone for guys like Mitch Moses.

“He’s got a strong kicking game, which can try and pin Queensland in their own half for majority of the match plus he loves running the football, same for Luai.”

“I believe Luai is one of the form players of the competition to be honest, particularly over the last month, his form with Penrith has been unbelievable.

“In the absence of Nathan Cleary he’s played a few games with the seven on his back and his involvement has increased so much.

“There’s no doubt this is much more dangerous side than what we saw in Game I.”

Smith said the way Queensland contain the Blues forward pack would go a long way to nullifying the NSW star backline led by Luai and Moses.

“It’s just a matter of how we go about our defence, if we can slow down their middle forwards, control the speed of the ruck and give our defensive line an opportunity to get up and manage those guys on the outside, I think we’ll be OK,” he said.

SEN’s coverage of State of Origin Game II at the MCG kicks-off at 7pm on Wednesday.