The match which is being dubbed as the ‘biggest match in rugby league history’ takes place on Wednesday afternoon when Queensland and New South Wales slug it out in the 2017 State of Origin decider inside the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
After the Blues drew first blood only for Queensland to deny them the series late on in Sydney last month it all comes down to these 80 minutes to determine who wins the series. There are stories every way you look going into this match but whoever wins one thing is guaranteed – jobs will be lost on the back of this result. It is huge for so many reasons and that is what makes it so fascinating.
Queensland
The Maroons will be looking to defend their proud record of having won 10 of the last 11 series when they go into battle here and with home advantage they will be expected to continue their dominance but they will know that they have been outplayed for three halves of the four in the series to date.
Amazingly they managed to regroup in the second half in Sydney to overturn the odds and set up this decider, a decider which is widely expected to be the final Origin match for a number of key men and they will be eager to go out on a high. In terms of knowhow in the big matches this lot have it in spades.
New South Wales
Many people believe we are entering the time of the New South Wales Blues but if that is to materialise then they are going to need to handle both the pressure of winning the series and the big moments in the very big matches a lot better than they did in the second half in Sydney three weeks ago.
If we see the Blues that demolished Queensland in the first match with their powerful running, quick play the balls at the ruck and impressive finishing when the chances presented themselves then they are going to be quite some force to stop even for this excellent Queensland side. You get the feeling the outcome of this one is sat inside the head of the NSW players.
Team News
Queensland are going to be without some big men. We already knew they were going to be without Matt Scott and Greg Inglis but they are also without injured Darius Boyd and worse still Johnathan Thurston, the man whose late kick kept the series alive. Cameron Munster will attempt to fill Thurston’s boots. Billy Slater has been passed fit but we will only know how fit he is once the match begins.
New South Wales are unchanged from the side which has played in the first two matches of the series which is no surprise.
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Betting
What a cracker we have got set up here to decide the series. This one is huge for so many people and so many reasons and the side who deals with that the better but at the same time forgets it and concentrates on the 80 minutes on the field the best will win.
Like many others I believe this is the time of the New South Wales Blues and as such I am taking them to win this match. They have dominated this series but have nothing to show for it yet but I expect them to come flying out of the traps with powerful running and quick play the balls and this time if NSW lead the Queensland veterans won’t be able to come back.
I’ll also have a go with Andrew Fifita to be the man of the match. He won this honour in the opening match of the series which the Blues won and if they are to win again it is hard to see the big wrecking ball not having a major say on the match. He is a man who can lead a side into battle and ensure they stay on top in it and at 16/1 he’s worth a sheckle of anyone’s money.
Tips
Back New South Wales to beat Queensland for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
Back A.Fifita Man of the Match for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 with Skybet
Back him here:
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