How good was Origin 1? And how can we expect the Blues to bounce back from that? Especially at Suncorp?
BetDeluxe answers all these questions with an in-depth look at Game 2.
Queensland vs. NSW
21st June 8:05pm
It was the series start every Queenslander dreamed of in Adelaide, with the Maroons coming from behind and running out 26-18 winners.
Despite losing Tom Flegler to one of the more controversial sin-bin decisions we’ve seen at Origin level, the Queenslanders found another gear in the final 10 minutes and punched home two more tries with just 12 men on the field.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo were unstoppable with a double each, while Reuben Cotter was named Man of the Match for his relentless pressure and game-high 48 tackles.
Tom Trbojevic and Jarome Luai looked most dangerous for the Blues, while Liam Martin, Apisai Koroisau and Stephen Crichton all found the line. However, they had far too many missed opportunities and committed too many errors at important stages to warrant an Origin victory.
Coach Fittler hasn’t been afraid to swing the axe ahead of Game II, with Nicho Hynes and Tevita Pangai Junior dropped alongside the injured Nathan Cleary and Apisai Koroisau. They would have been banking on the return of Latrell Mitchell, but he’s failed to overcome a calf injury that’s left him sidelined since Round 12.
Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses has earned a recall to the team in place of Cleary, beating out Nicho Hynes for the No. 7 jersey. The other critical inclusion for the Blues is Damien Cook after he was left out of the Game 1 side following 15 consecutive Origin appearances.
While swinging significant changes is one thing, Fittler is also set to make positional changes to save their series, with Josh Addo-Carr and Brian To’o shifting to opposite flanks. It means Addo-Carr will combine with Crichton on NSW’s left instead, while To’o and Tom Trbojevic will man the right.
The red-hot favourites and hometown heroes have been forced to make their own changes following injuries to Jai Arrow, Selwyn Cobbo, and Tom Gilbert. Storm star, Xavier Coates, will fill the void left by Cobbo, while Jeremiah Nanai will make his return to the Maroons’ forward pack.
The loss of Cobbo should matter very little for Billy Slater and his squad, with Reece Walsh, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, and Daly Cherry-Evans all in form and ready to strike for a second time.
Part of Slater’s messaging will revolve around the Blues’ record at Suncorp Stadium, having only won Game II once at Suncorp after losing the opening of the series. And that win was way back in 1998 when Laurie Daley was captain, and Fittler was at lock. In four must-win games at Suncorp, the Blues have only ever won once, suffering losses in 1988, 2010 and 2016.
With history on their side, form on their side, and the market certainly on their side, the Queenslanders should come out of this one with the series title to their name.
Suggested Bet: Same Game Multi
- Leg 1: Queensland to win
- Leg 2: Over 36.5 points
- Leg 3: X. Coates anytime try scorer
- Leg 4: B. To’o anytime try scorer
- Total: $11
