Queensland emerged victorious with a typically stirring backs-to-the-wall victory during the State of Origin opener in Adelaide last month.
Attention now turns to whether the Maroons can wrap up the series and claim the shield for a second straight year, or if NSW can defy the odds and grab a rare win on enemy soil to drag their opponents to a decider in Sydney next month.
Here's the three key battles that could decide State of Origin Game II.
Daly Cherry-Evans vs. Mitchell Moses
Disaster has struck for the Blues on the injury front with half of their spine succumbing to injury since the curtain-raiser in May.
Nathan Cleary is out with a hamstring tear, while Api Koroisau had his jaw rearranged by Queensland enforcer Tino Fa'asuamaleaui during an NRL clash.
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Damien Cook and Reece Robson have been brought in to battle the two-hooker system the Maroons prefer but it was Mitch Moses’ selection that caused the most debate.
Nicho Hynes – dropped altogether after featuring off the bench in Game I – and Adam Reynolds were thought to be in the frame to replace Cleary, but it was the Parramatta playmaker who got the nod.
"The banter around who was going to play, I couldn’t quite work it out," Brad Fittler said.
"I find it interesting sometimes, the chat around different positions and players…it becomes a circus."
Moses boasts a great kicking game, but he will no doubt be placed under plenty of pressure from marker as he presents as the only real kicking option for the Blues out of yardage. In Game I, Cleary accounted for 469 kicking metres compared to Jarome Luai's 70 metres.
Although NSW enjoyed plenty of possession and actually won the territorial battle in Adelaide. Yet their attack was blunted with their patience going unrewarded on numerous occasions in the red zone.
"The times we moved the ball, we didn’t look that good and that was pretty disappointing," Fittler admitted on the eve of the do-or-die clash.
Moses now has the difficult task of sparking his state’s attack in only his second ever appearance – and first in two years – for the Blues.
The 28-year-old is in great touch, torching the Bulldogs in his most recent run-out for the Eels with his electric running game and ability to kick to corners and control the tempo of the match standing out.
In his 13 appearances in the NRL this season, the No.7 has registered 13 try assists and scored five four-pointers, while forcing at least one drop out in his past seven matches to illustrate how good his short kicking game also is.
MORE: NSW coach Brad Fittler explains Mitchell Moses decision after selection 'circus'
On the opposite side, Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans comes into the clash under completely different circumstances.
DCE was happy to take a back seat during Game I, shuttling the ball out wide for the likes of Reece Walsh and David Fifita to cause carnage on the edges.
The veteran also has the benefit of a tried and trusted combination with his halves partner, Cameron Munster.
The Storm five-eighth boasts an imposing record for Queensland at Suncorp Stadium, having lost just once at the ground in an Origin match since making his debut for the Maroons six years ago.
Yet while Munster and co gained the plaudits for the win in Origin I, DCE has quietly gone about his business all season both for Manly and his state.
In the NRL this year, he has failed to provide at least one assist in just four matches, while he has promised to launch an aerial assault on the Blues following Xavier Coates' addition to the side.
MORE: QLD Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans shuts down 'complacency' tag
"We want to play to our strengths," Billy Slater told NRL 360.
"Obviously, Xavier is good under the high ball and Jeremiah Nanai has been good under the high ball.
"I'm sure NSW have some targets they want to hit when they kick in attacking positions as well...We want to get the ball to our strike players in many different ways."
Queensland's forward replacements vs. NSW's forward replacements
The gamble Freddy took on Tevita Pangai Junior to provide some mongrel in the opening game didn’t come to fruition and has been quickly abandoned by the coach - as has the decision to use Hynes as a utility off the interchange.
Instead, NSW have opted for more pace and power through the middle of the pitch as they attempt to counteract the Maroons’ enviable engine room.
Robson could be used as an auxiliary forward to help generate quick play-the-balls akin to his Cowboys teammate and Origin I man-of-the-match Reuben Cotter.
The prospect of him starting the contest at hooker ahead of Cook has also not been ruled out of contention.
Stefano Utoikamanu’s task will be simple - take the tough carries through the heart of Queensland’s defence and try and generate some momentum through the ruck.
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Meanwhile, Slater has been forced to make two big changes in his forward rotation with Jai Arrow and Tom Gilbert picking up injuries which have ruled them out for the rest of the series.
In their absences, the coach elected to go with youth as he recalled Nanai and Moeaki Fotuaika.
The Gold Coast prop is an absolute workhorse and has averaged over 150 running metres this season while tackling at a 95 per cent efficiency.
The Cowboys backrower, who did feature in all three games for Slater last year, poses as a more interesting pick after getting in ahead of Felise Kaufusi.
Nanai isn’t exactly renowned for his ability to help his side out of yardage, although he does offer far more x-factor in attack than Gilbert does.
MORE: Billy Slater opts for youth over veterans for Game II
The 20-year-old has played just 53 minutes in close to two months due to suspension and inactivity through bye rounds and Origin selection.
However, in last year's series his offloads provided a perfect avenue in which to attack through second-phase play.
The Maroons made just two offloads during their 26-18 win, which is something Slater may have been mindful of when looking for the best backrower to add a unique element to his side.
Reece Walsh vs. James Tedesco
The battle between the two fullbacks was billed as a possible deciding factor in Game I, and so it proved.
Walsh’s attacking numbers were far superior to James Tedesco’s entering into the curtain-raiser and the Brisbane flyer was on a different level to his opposite number all night.
Picking up where he left off with the Broncos, Walsh tore NSW’s defence to shreds on the edges as the Maroons offered the threat of their big men latching onto the ball through decoy lines during switches deep inside their own half to keep the opposition in limbo.
With the middle defence all tied up, Walsh’s acceleration off the mark then allowed him to skip onto the outside shoulder of the wide defender. This resulted in him setting up one try on his debut and providing a constant threat out the back of shape.
Meanwhile, Tedesco endured his worst game in a Blues jersey during his illustrious career.
The old adage goes that you can never write off a champion, but Teddy will have it all to do on Wednesday night as he attempts to level the ledger against Walsh and lead his side to an improbable win in hostile territory.