State of Origin arrives at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night and sparks will certainly fly when Queensland and New South Wales lock horns again.
It’s a story that has played out so many times before. The Blues start clear favourites in State of Origin betting, return a ghastly performance in Game 1 and ultimately find themselves battling uphill to keep the Series alive in Game 2.
On occasion, New South Wales have managed to reverse their fortunes but more often than not, Queensland has seen out the series with a win, if not in Game 2, then in Game 3.
It’s going take a herculean effort from Brad Fittler’s men in Brisbane on June 21st, and that is echoed in the $2.40 offered in head-to-head State of Origin betting.
Billy Slater’s Queensland, meanwhile, have been popular $1.57 favourites, with the line set at 4.5 points (at publish).
Queensland
The Maroons secured an impressive and vital win over the Blues in Origin 1, and they take all of the momentum and confidence into their home game, and in front of their parochial home crowd.
On paper, it looked like the Queenslanders might be a little outclassed but again, make that assumption at your own peril… I did!
Injury has forced a couple of changes to the squad – Jye Arrow, Tom Gilbert and Selwyn Cobbo are all out, replaced by Jeremiah Nanai, Moeaki Fotuaika and Xavier Coates respectively. All three players have experience in the Origin arena and have found a lovely vein of form for their respective clubs this season.
- Reece Walsh
- Xavier Coates
- Valentine Holmes
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
- Murray Taulagi
- Cameron Munster
- Daly Cherry-Evans ©
- Lindsay Collins
- Ben Hunt
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- David Fifita
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Patrick Carrigan
- Harry Grat
- Tom Flegler
- Reuben Cotter
- Moeaki Fotuaika
New South Wales
Is Brad Fittler the man for the job?
A loss in this game, and it would almost certainly be curtains for the New South Wales great, particularly after producing yet another round of shock selections for Origin 2.
Mitchell Moses comes in for the injured Nathan Cleary, while the likes of Tevita Pangai Junior and Nicho Hynes have been sensationally dropped.
Stefano Utoikamanu makes his debut, likewise Cowboys hooker Reece Robson, who comes onto the bench in place of a utility, with Damien Cook returning and starting in place of the injured Api Koroisau.
The entire team is an enormous gamble, but if it does pay off, it will be VERY interesting to see how Fittler and co. are received after the game.
- James Tedesco ©
- Brian To’o
- Latrell Mitchell
- Tom Trbojevic
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Jarome Luai
- Mitchell Moses
- Junior Paulo
- Damien Cook
- Payne Haas
- Tyson Frizell
- Hudson Young
- Isaah Yeo
- Stefano Utoikamanu
- Cameron Murray
- Liam Martin
- Reece Robson
State of Origin Betting
Queensland have opened clear and justifiable favourites in State of Origin betting ahead of Game 2, firming $1.65 into $1.58 following team announcements.
The Blues have been almost friendless this week and have drifted to $2.40.
First Try Scorer betting is yet again a typically open affair and there is plenty of value to be found in betting! Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow saluted at double-figures in Origin 1, and he currently occupies the fifth line of betting at odds of $12.50 ahead of Game 2. Xavier Coates leads the market at $8.25, while Josh Addo-Carr is the $10 top elect for the Blues.
Man of the Match betting has also already proven to be a lucrative option this season, with Reuben Cotter saluting at a cool $41 in Game 1. Cam Munster occupies the top line of Man of the Match betting ahead of Game 2 at $6, but James Tedesco has attracted interest from the Blues’ faithful at $9.50.
State of Origin Tips
As I did for Game 1, it doesn’t matter if you support Queensland or New South Wales – I’ve provided tips for both!
Queensland Tips
- Back Queensland to cover the line (-4.5) @ $1.90
- Back Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to score the 1st Try @ $12.50
- Back Daly Cherry-Evans to be named Man of the Match @ $9
New South Wales Tips
- Back New South Wales to Win @ $2.40
- Back Tom Trbojevic to score the 1st Try @ $15
- Back Latrell Mitchell to be named Man of the Match @ $14