New South Wales will be desperate to keep the State of Origin series alive when they head to Melbourne to take on Queensland in Game II.
The Maroons cruised to a straightforward victory in enemy territory earlier this month in a game which was headlined by Joseph Suaalii being sent off for a high shot on Reece Walsh.
Michael Maguire has responded to the heavy 38-10 loss by making five changes for the clash with South Sydney duo Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray amongst those drafted in for the Blues.
Meanwhile, QLD have had a dire run at the MCG having won just one of the games held at the famous stadium. Although they will fancy their chances of snapping that poor run and claiming their third successive shield under Billy Slater.
Below are The Sporting News' predictions and best bets for Game II.
All odds via TAB.
MORE STATE OF ORIGIN COVERAGE:
- When was the last time Origin was played in Melbourne?
- State of Origin weather report for Game II
- Blues team for Game II | Maroons team for Game II
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to keep haunting the Blues
-Mark Molyneux
Ever since making his Origin debut for the Maroons in the third and final game of the 2021 series, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has made a habit out inflicting misery on the Blues.
The Dolphins flyer has crossed for eight tries in just five appearances, with three of those coming in the one-sided opener earlier this month.
The 22-year-old has a perfect record to date after notching at least one four-pointer in every game he has played for his state.
'The Hammer' has undoubtedly made a red-hot start to his Origin career and will have Greg Inglis firmly in his sights in the future if he can keep his exploits up.
The legendary fullback currently stands as the leading tryscorer in Origin with 18 tries in 32 matches.
BEST BET: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow anytime tryscorer ($2.50)
VALUE BET: Latrell Mitchell to score 2+ tries ($11.00)
SAME GAME MULTI: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to score a try; Reece Walsh to score a try ($6.50)
Blues to bounce back with gritty win
- Tom Naghten
While New South Wales may have been comfortably beaten on the scoreboard in Game 1, there were still plenty of positives to take out of that performance.
When you add an improved kicking game (Mitch Moses) and some X-factor in attack (Latrell Mitchell) to the kind of effort they showed to keep the margin to 10 points after 65 minutes while down a man, Blues fans ought to be cautiously optimistic.
We didn't get the typically tight, low-scoring affair many were predicting in the opener but, provided the contest remains 13-on-13, don't be surprised if this one turns into a grind.
Expect some of the in-form New South Wales players to stand up down the stretch.
BEST BET: Total points under 37.5 ($2.00)
VALUE BET: Angus Crichton 1+ try/NSW win ($5.00)
SAME GAME MULTI: NSW -1.5; Angus Crichton to score a try ($6.00)
Resurgent Blues to send it to a decider in low-scoring affair
-Chris Danks
Considering they were a man down for most of the series opener, there’s not much to glean on how Michael Maguire’s men will attack the Maroons defensive line. However, with the addition of Connor Watson and Cameron Murray as ball-playing options, it’s likely that the Blues will look to stretch QLD’s edges - especially down the left with Jarome Luai and Latrell Mitchell waiting.
The Blues are dominant at the MCG - including two 13+ blowouts - but don’t expect that here. Billy Slater will be much more conservative in Game 2, with the long kicking game of Mitch Moses and the up-tempo interchange option of Connor Watson both the keys to sending this series to a decider.
BEST BET: NSW by 1-12 ($3.20)
VALUE BET: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow first try scorer ($13.00)
SAME GAME MULTI: Latrell Mitchell to score the 1st, 2nd or 3rd try; NSW H2H ($6.00)
Moses to guide NSW to tight win
- Joshua Mayne
The early send-off in the opener combined with a few player changes makes Game 2 hard to predict.
On paper, you can argue NSW have the slightly better team, but Queensland have the all-important winning momentum.
Barring any major game-changing incidents, we should be in for a close affair on Wednesday night.
Mitchell Moses' kicking game could be enough to sway it towards the Blues, while their points could come via Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell in the centres.
As for the Maroons, keep an eye on Harry Grant, who knows exactly how to catch teams out in tight games.
BEST BET: Either team by 10 or less ($1.85)
VALUE BET: Harry Grant anytime try scorer ($6.00)
SAME GAME MULTI: NSW to win; Stephen Crichton anytime try scorer ($4.80)
