The night the New South Wales Blues have waited a long time for has finally arrived as they get the chance to get their hands on the State of Origin shield when they host bitter rivals Queensland Maroons in the second game of the 2018 series in Sydney.
The Blues powered home in the second half in the first match in Melbourne to draw first blood and give them control of the series but they’ve been here before, as recently as last year when they had achieved an even bigger opening match win, and failed to convert. Queensland will be eager to level up the series so we’re set for an Origin classic.
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New South Wales Blues
Brad Fittler rang the changes for this series and it worked a treat in the opening match. A young squad, devoid of any mental scarring, took the game to their opposition and deservedly came out on top. They ran with purpose, supported the ball carrier strongly and were clinical when their chances came along.
It goes without saying that New South Wales will be looking for a repeat of that performance and if they get it they will have every chance. They must put what has gone before behind them and focus on this match alone. They have plenty of power up the middle and they are overloaded with pace in the key areas.
Queensland Maroons
They can acknowledge the injuries they had in the first match, and they did not help them, but in truth the Maroons were outplayed in Melbourne. The scoreboard suggests they kept things tight in the main but their opening try was a breakaway interception try, which while useful did put a bit of a gloss on the score that Queensland didn’t really deserve.
Queensland need to get back to controlling field position so there will be a lot of pressure on their halves to lead them around the field. Their kicking game in the first match left a lot to be desired and as a result they were unable to put sustained pressure on the New South Wales line. In many ways it could be seen as a positive that they remained relatively close without playing well but as mention the score flattered them.
Team News
Reagan Campbell-Gillard was a bright point for the Blues in Game 1 but he has been ruled out of the remainder of the series with a broken jaws. Matt Prior will replace him while Latrell Mitchell has been passed fit despite a fitness concern.
The big news for the Queensland Maroons is that Billy Slater is expected to return after he was forced to miss the opening match. There is also a place in the squad for the exciting Kalyn Ponga with Anthony Milford making way.
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Betting
Billy Slater might be back but I don’t see a huge amount changing here. I thought New South Wales were good value for their win in the first match and probably should have won by more than they eventually did and with the pressure of having to win possibly shackling Queensland in this match I’m with the Blues again.
I said in the first match that if their forwards can match their Queensland opposition they have the backs to do real damage and that was how it proved with Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco having excellent games with James Maloney leading them around the park. I see the same thing happening again here so I’m with NSW to cover eight points.
Tips
Back New South Wales (-8) to beat Queensland for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with William Hill
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