Fittler coy on eve of State of Origin II

In an awkward boxing-style joint media conference on Saturday, Fittler was unusually tight-lipped before Sunday's game two at a near sellout at Optus Stadium.

"I've got to pick a team that's going to win and I make no apologies for that," he said.

"It's been a great week of training and I feel like we've made some good decisions."

Fittler will hope those changes will stir a reaction given the Blues haven't lost the opening game in Sydney and gone on to win the series since 1994.

The most notable change has led to regular hooker Damien Cook being benched for Api Koroisau.

Jake Trbojevic has been recalled to the starting side after missing out on Origin I altogether.

Trbojevic will play at prop with Junior Paulo, who remains one of the game's best pace-setting props but was ineffective as an interchange forward in Origin I, coming off the bench again.

"Over the time in our team Junior has done both, he has come off the bench more so than not," Fittler said.

Fittler has been here before. In 2019, he took NSW to Perth while 1-0 down, winning Origin II 38-6 and then going on to lift the shield in the decider.

"We reacted," he said of his learnings from 2019.

"I think we went away and noted that we could do some things better. We've trained accordingly but it gives you no guarantees.

"We need to make it happen, just because you lost the first one doesn't mean anything."

One of the main focuses for NSW in training this week has been slowing down Queensland's fast ruck, an area the Blues lost in game one.

They were criticised for being "too nice" by Fittler's deputy Greg Alexander, who said the Blues needed to push the envelope with referee Ashley Klein on Sunday.

"We've just done our due diligence, like everyone does and asked for explanations," Fittler said.

"Outside of that, no I haven't spoken to (referees boss) Gerard Maxwell."

Australian Associated Press