State of Origin Game 2 will take place at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night, just one week on from the series opener.
The Maroons were given virtually no chance of beating in the Blues in Game 1, certainly if State of Origin betting was to be believed, but they relished their underdog status and proved once again that they can simply never be written off.
With everything on the line in Sydney, New South Wales will start State of Origin Game 2 as clear favourites in the market ($1.33), and there is terrific value on offer for fans of Queensland ($3.60).
You can find a full preview of the game and our State of Origin Game 2 tips below.
Head to Head State of Origin Betting
Despite their all-round poor performance in Adelaide, the Blues are on track to start resounding favourites again in State of Origin Game 2.
From literally the opening minute of Game 1, the Blues looked completely at sea – they dropped the ball a lot, they were ill-disciplined, and they were really only kept in the contest by how bad the Maroons also were in the first forty.
Coach Brad Fitler has understandably made several changes ahead of this do-or-die clash – Cody Walker comes into the starting side for the dropped Luke Keary, Dale Finucane and Isaah Yeo join the bench, a reshuffle in several other positions and James Tedesco to captain in place of the injured Boyd Cordner.
Queensland looked as though they’d be on the receiving end of an absolute hiding when they went to the break 10-0 down in Adelaide, but coach Wayne Bennett clearly did what he does best, and inspired an incredible 18-14 victory.
Injury has forced Bennett’s hand ahead of Game 2 – exciting fullback AJ Brimson has been replaced by Valentine Holmes while Dunamis Lui and Moeaki Fotuaika will make their Origin debuts in place of Christian Welch and Coen Hess.
Other than this game being played in Sydney, I simply cannot get my head around why the Blues have again been priced as such short favourites in the market.
I do think they will probably win this game but given the size of the line and the Queensland spirit, I’m going to back them to make a game of it again.
Tip: Back the Maroons to cover the line (+9.5) @ $2
State of Origin Try Scorer Betting
State of Origin Try Scorer betting was typically one of our most popular markets last week, and that is sure to be the case again ahead of Game 2.
Damien Cook broke the deadlock in Adelaide at odds of $26, while all of Josh Addo-Carr, AJ Brimson, Xavier Coates and Cameron Munster also bagged meat pies ‘any time’.
Given that Cook’s try came off the back of a lucky bounce, I’m happy to revert back to last week’s plan and back the two players that I consider to be New South Wales and Queensland’s biggest weapons, Jack Wighton and Dane Gagai.
Wighton wasn’t fed a lot of ball in Game 1, but looked one of the few dangerous options when he did see action, while Gagai typically went to another level for Queensland in the second half.
Tips
Back Jack Wighton to score the first try @ $14
Back Jack Wighton to score a try at any time @ $3
Back Dane Gagai to score the first try @ $16
Back Dane Gagai to score a try at any time @ $3.50
State of Origin Man of the Match Betting
Daly Cherry-Evans was an inspiring Queensland captain in Game 1 and was duly rewarded with Man of the Match honours, at $11.
I rated Josh Addo-Carr the best player in Blue jersey – his defence was heroic, and his two tries would have been enough to seal the honour should the Blues have won.
Given that James Tedesco will captain the Blues in place of the injured Boyd Cordner in Game 2, I’m confident that he will step up and return a big performance and inspire a New South Wales win on Wednesday night.
He is a fitting favourite in Man of the Match betting, and I am happy to dive in at the $6 quote.
Tip: Back James Tedesco to be named Man of the Match @ $6