Reynolds joined the squad late in preparation after winning an audition between him and Rabbitohs player John Sutton, who were selected by Daley to fill the vacant interchange spot left by Kurt Gidley after he withdrew from the squad due to injury shortly after the team was announced. Other major changes to the NSW team included Jarryd Hayne moving from the wing to replace the injured Brett Stewart at fullback. Captain Paul Gallen moved back into the front-row making way for Ryan Hoffman to return to the Blues squad for the first time since 2008. The Blues started off strongly in Game 1 with a try to Jarryd Hayne in the 5th minute seeing them 6-0 in front. Subsequent penalties saw the Blues extend the lead to 8-0 after Maloney kicked a penalty goal in the 19th minute. Jennings pounced on a loose ball that came from a repeat set and scored under the posts after ploughing through 5 defenders. This saw the Blues with a 14-0 lead at the break. Queensland came up with several opportunities to score in the first half including Boyd almost crossing in the corner, however the Blues defence came rushing in every time to defuse any chance. Tempers flared seconds from half time when Gallen landed two punches at Myles sending him on report. Boyd scored in the corner for Queensland in the 61st minute making the score 14-6. This would be the final result in the game with all the points being scored on the southern end of the field. After the match due to criticism of the match officials for not sending Paul Gallen to the sin bin but placing him on report for punching Nate Myles the NRL introduced and automatic sin bin for anyone throwing a punch. The announced Maroons squad for game two saw significant changes to their forward pack and interchange. Long time Queensland campaigners prop forward David Shillington and lock Ashley Harrison were dropped in favor of Nate Myles and Corey Parker respectively, whilst Chris McQueen was promoted from the bench to fill Myles' second row spot. Manly Sea Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans and Canberra Raiders second rower Josh Papalii make their debuts on the bench after both were standing reserves for the first match. There were minimal changes for the Blues squad in the second game in the series. Josh Dugan, who earlier in the season was sacked from the Canberra Raiders for repeated off field disciplinary issues then subsequently signed for the St George Illawarra Dragons almost two months later, took up the fullback spot due to Jarryd Hayne succumbing to a club game injury whilst Brett Stewart remained unavailable for selection.