Covid-19 has stripped the sporting calendar of a number of big events but thankfully one which was only delayed rather than scrapped was the 2020 State of Origin series, which begins in Adelaide on Wednesday as the Queensland Maroons face the New South Wales Blues.
The Blues have won the last two series and begin this one as the overwhelming favourites. The Maroons will be eager to win the Shield back but with an inexperienced side they look to be up against it going into the series.
Where to watch
The game will be available to watch on the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena channels with the build up beginning at 9.05am and the match due to kick off at 9.10am.
New South Wales
Having had to go a decade of misery in the State of Origin, the Blues have now become the dominant force over the last couple of series and with the three matches coming thick and fast in this one they will be looking to make a fast start and build on the momentum that can be built up. They have a nice mix of youth and experience in their side as they go about creating a dynasty like the one they had to come up against for so long.
The Blues have won the last two series throughout the mobile forwards and their powerful backs. They probably don’t have as much of an edge up the middle, at least in this opening match, but there is no doubt they have a more significant advantage in the back line where the likes of James Tedesco, Nathan Cleary and Jake Addo-Carr. If that set gets on top you’ve got to think the Blues are going to be tough to stop.
Queensland Maroons
The Maroons certainly aren’t going to lack for motivation going into this series. Two years without winning the series is a long time in Queensland and they will be desperate to end that slump here but preparation for the series hasn’t been kind to them and that is one of a few problems that have surfaced over the time the build up has been going on. Wayne Bennett was quite a late appointment as replacement for Kevin Walters as coach and he has been met with a series of withdrawals due to injury.
The Maroons are going to give out as many as eight debuts in this match which feels like a lot and while the lack of mental scarring is a strong point, Queensland cannot afford to be found wanting in the opening 40 minutes as NSW could be hard to beg back. The other issue for Bennett is that there are doubts over just how fit half-back Cameron Munster actually is. Queensland look set to rely on their forwards and a good kicking game in what they might need to be a low scoring contest.
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Team News
Ryan Papenhuyzen has been ruled out of the opener for the New South Wales Blues which means that James Tedesco will play at full-back with Luke Keary partnering Nathan Cleary in the halves. Daniel Tupou returns on the wing too.
Cameron Munster has been named in the starting XI for the Queensland Maroons. Wayne Bennett will give debuts to AJ Brimson, Xavier Coates, Brenko Lee, Phillip Sami, Jake Friend, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jaydn Su’A and Lindsay Collins. Kalyn Ponga is another big name absentee.
Betting
It is hard to go against the New South Wales Blues in this match and while the Origin opener is usually an intense and very tight affair it might be that the series gets tighter as it goes along once the Queensland Maroons rookies have their taste of the intensity of the competition and get themselves up to speed with what is needed. It would be something of a big ask if they are to do that here in game one.
The reason why I expect the Blues to come out on top with a bit in hand here is because there isn’t a whole lot in the forward packs of the two sides but the big advantage comes in the form of the backs where New South Wales look ahead by a huge margin. The forwards set the platform to win Origin matches but the backs get the job done and if the Blues get in front early here they could run away with it. New South Wales have been more settled in the build up to the game and I think that will play out with an easy win.
Tips
Back New South Wales Blues (-8) to beat Queensland Maroons for a 3/10 stake at 2.00 with William Hill
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