Both Origin camps have made plenty of changes as they prepare to do battle at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night.

Some were forced, some not so, but it appears both the Blues and Maroons will field stronger outfits for Origin Two.

Justin Hodges won’t play after being slapped with a six-week ban for his lifting tackle on Mark Riddell. He’s a huge loss for the Canetoads, no doubt.

But if I was asked to choose between having Steve Price back in the side and not Hodges, as opposed to the other way round, I would pick the former scenario in a heartbeat.

The way the Queensland “pigs” were comprehensively outplayed by their Blues counterparts two weeks ago, in terms of both raw football performance and enthusiasm, meant we desperately needed the Warriors leader to return from injury.

Here’s my view on the “ins” and “outs” from both sides. And remember kiddies, before you hit “send” on that abusive email, these are only opinions. You don’t have to agree with them.

QUEENSLAND

Darren Lockyer: Very little has to be said here. Queensland’s attack broke down more often in Origin One than the cars of those idiots who tried to drive through flooded roads the other day.

Johnathan Thurston sorely needs someone else to shoulder the playmaking duties, as the Blues knew the threat was only coming from one avenue last time around.

Steve Price: Already mentioned the big fella. In my view, he was unlucky not to pip Cameron Smith for man of the series last year and will take the pressure off Petero Civoniceva in terms of go forward. Will also play many more minutes – and quality ones chock-a-block with hard work at that – than Carl Webb ever could.

Ashley Harrison: A good choice for the bench considering he offers utility value in the forwards and backs. Has been playing five-eighth for the Titans while Mat Rogers has been out through suspension, which means he will add to our creativity.

Darius Boyd: A bit of a bolter when you consider the other players in the Maroons backline. Lockyer, Thurston, Inglis, Slater, Folau, Tate ... and Boyd? It’s like Paris Hilton guest speaking at an abstinence convention – he seems a little out of place.

I’m not a Broncos fan so I haven’t seen many of their games, but he must be in good form otherwise they wouldn’t pick him.

The outs: Jacob Lillyman, PJ Marsh, Carl Webb, Justin Hodges. Have already touched upon Webb and Hodges. Marsh and Lillyman simply didn’t have enough impact off the bench in Origin One to justify their re-selection.

However, while we are stronger, so too are the Blues. Kurt Gidley in for Ben Hornby and Steve Simpson in for Ben Cross are huge. If Queensland has a Melbourne connection, than there is a distinct Knights flavour for the Blues, with that pair joining Danny Buderus in the Cockroach ranks.

And I am concerned how Queensland’s defenders in the middle third will fare if Blues coach Craig Bellamy opts to play Buderus and Gidley in a “tag team” dummy half combination.