The State of Origin series began in a very one-sided fashion as the New South Wales Blues took the Queensland Maroons to the cleaners. The Maroons know that in order to force a deciding match they must come out on top in Game 2 on Sunday.
Queensland will be hoping that their fortress Suncorp Stadium can inspire them to get the result that they need but they have plenty to find on that first game. The Blues can seal the series with a win here and then target the whitewash on home soil next month.
Queensland Maroons
You’ll be searching for quite a long time if you look for positives to come out of the opening match of the series for the Queensland Maroons. The only one that existed really was the final whistle which stopped them receiving any more punishment. The simple fact of the matter is that they was outplayed but what would concern them more is that they were overrun and overpowered all across the park. That loss will fire them up but they need more than motivation to get back into this series.
The real problem for Paul Green in this match is working out which areas to improve. Their back line was bang ordinary, dropping so many balls and gifting tries to the Blues it was untrue and then their forwards just failed to many any impression on the contest. It should be recognised that Queensland had a poor preparation for the opening match but they still would have expected a lot more than what they delivered.
New South Wales Blues
You would think the only thing the New South Wales Blues have to guard against in this match is complacency. They were so far clear of the Maroons to open the series that a repeat of that performance or anything remotely close to it should be enough for them to sew up the series with a match to spare. In that first game they were simply too fast, too skilful and in the end too good for Queensland. They were completely dominant.
The stars were the two centres and the full-back and half-backs. That is probably being harsh on the Blues forwards but the inside backs were absolutely superb in that opening game and if they can have the edge on their opposite number here then you’ve got to think the Blues are going to be hard to beat. Brad Fittler isn’t a coach who changes much and he certainly doesn’t need to alter too much ahead of this second game.
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Team News
Paul Green has been forced into changes for the Queensland Maroons. He was all set to give a debut to rookie winger Reece Walsh but he broke down on the eve of the match which means winger Ronaldo Mulitalo will come in for his debut and Valentine Holmes will stay at full-back. The sword has fallen on Xavier Rhodes and Harry Grant is out injured.
Angus Crichton missed the opening game of the series through suspension but he returns for Game 2 and he will come in for Jake Trbojevic who has sustained a hip injury. That is the only change Fittler has made for this one.
Betting
The New South Wales Blues were so dominant in that opening match that it is hard to see the Queensland Maroons overturning that and levelling the series in just 17 days. That performance and brutal beating needed a much longer debrief than they have been able to give it so I fear a little for the Maroons here even allowing for the fact that they are competing at their fortress of Suncorp Stadium. If anything the Blues will be motivated to pick up a win on this staunch enemy soil.
The ball players for this Blues side look in insane form at the minute and the outside backs just look too strong for their opposite number. Once again Queensland have had their plans ripped up late on when their scheduled full-back went down on the eve of the game so nothing is ideal about the Maroons here. I expect New South Wales to win this match and while I don’t expect a 50 burger to be put on the Maroons here, I still expect them to cover 14pts. These two sides are just at opposite ends of their transition scale.
Tips
Back New South Wales (-14) to beat Queensland Maroons for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with William Hill
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