Queensland were the better team in Game 1 but team changes for New South Wales and a likely sharp swing in fortunes should see a switch in results.
Best Bet
New South Wales are clearly doing their best to forget about Game 1. Brad Fittler, despite saying otherwise, has swung a big axe that has seen four players dropped along with Jack Wighton missing through Covid. Fittler has not gone as hard as he should have and some of his replacements are headscratchers but Burton at centre and Koroisau starting are both boosts for the Blues.
The biggest advantage for NSW though comes on the Queensland side. The loss of Reuben Cotter cannot be underestimated. His energy lifted everyone. Jai Arrow is a sound player but very different in style and approach.
The Blues won the only Perth Origin 38-6 in an absolute rout in 2019. This is also a spot where you really want to be on the loser from the series opener with teams playing at home or at a neutral venue after a Game 1 loss winning six straight dating back to 2009.
It is hard to imagine the Blues not getting the rub of the green in Game 2 either. Ashley Klein is again in charge and the square up is not uncommon and at Origin level the smallest of things decide matches.
New South Wales have certainly looked to bring in a lot more leg speed. It would be surprising if they were on the back foot as much. They will get more out of a two-hooker rotation. If they can muscle-up in the forwards, the Blues look primed to bounce back.
Betseeker has Origin covered with our picks for Man of the Match plus for the Women’s State of Origin match.
Same Game Multi
The over looks a good play on what is typically a fast track. There were 44 points in the only Origin clash at Optus while the two NRL games at the ground have tallied 54 and 52.
Cleary has yet to score at Origin level but he has 48 tries in 130 club games and should get more of the ball he likes with Api Koroisau starting at hooker.
Value Bet
Matt Burton comes into a team that has seen nine of its 17 tries caused by centres across the last two series. Left centre Jack Wighton scored the opener in Game 1 and Burton has a great chemistry with the Panthers halves pairing having topped the scoring for Penrith last year with 17 tries. In 19 games as a centre, Burton has 12 tries. He is huge odds to score.
Betseeker Special
We’re backing James Tedesco for Man of the Match on Sunday. Read more here.
Betseeker Bingo
Our favourite special is here for Origin! Get $6.50 for seven of the ten match events to win. Find out more here.
