State of Origin tips: Betting preview, odds and predictions for Game 2

Joshua Mayne

Liam O'Loughlin

Mark Molyneux

State of Origin tips: Betting preview, odds and predictions for Game 2 image

It's almost time for State of Origin Game 2, where Queensland will be looking to seal the series against New South Wales.

The Blues have never travelled to Brisbane whilst 1-0 down and gone on to take home the shield, but can they manage to buck that trend?

Below are The Sporting News team's predictions and best bets for Wednesday night's Origin clash.

Odds courtesy of BlueBet.

Maroons to outmuscle Blues in second half surge

- Joshua Mayne

After a dominant performance in the opener, Queensland come into this clash as the deserved favourites.

Whilst plenty of factors - notably the match being played at Suncorp - indicate a strong Maroons victory, a bloodbath result doesn't seem right.

New South Wales have the personnel to keep things tight early, and potentially head into the sheds with a narrow lead.

However, similar to Game 1, the home side should be too strong in the second half, roared on by their raucous fans.

When it comes to the try-scorers, a Xavier Coates leap followed by a tap-back into the chest of David Fifita is too realistic to pass up.

BEST BET: Queensland Maroons 1-12 ($2.80 with BlueBet)

VALUE BET: David Fifita ATS ($3.25 with BlueBet)

SAME GAME MULTI: Xavier Coates FTS, NSW/QLD HT/FT ($71 with BlueBet)

Jeremiah Nanai to open the scoring at Suncorp 

- Mark Molyneux

The Maroons’ start on home soil will be typically all fire and brimstone with the raucous crowd cheering them on, so they look like the best bet in the first try-scorer market.

Jeremiah Nanai’s love for four-pointers is well-known by now, crossing for 22 tries in 35 career appearances to date.

And despite enduring a tough start to his campaign this year, he has still managed to score four tries in eight matches.

Throughout all his try-scoring exploits though, the 20-year-old has managed to cross for the first try just twice.

On both occasions, he did so against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium where he will run out on the right edge for Queensland on Wednesday night.

Due to suspension and inactivity through bye rounds and Origin selection, Nanai has played just 53 minutes in close to two months, so expect him to come out full tilt against a NSW left edge that struggled in the opener.  

BEST BET: Jeremiah Nanai first try-scorer ($21 with BlueBet

Cameron Munster to stand up and seal the series

- Liam O'Loughlin

There aren't too many players who relish in the State of Origin arena more than Cameron Munster.

The superstar five-eighth has become a mainstay of the Maroons lineup for many years and his performance in the 2020 series will go down in Origin folklore. 

Last year, Munster was unavailable for the series decider at Suncorp Stadium due to COVID, but will be on deck as the Maroons look to take an unassailable 2-0 lead on Wednesday night.

Given the fact he was reasonably quiet in the opening game at Adelaide Oval and missed last year's clash in front of his adoring fans, Munster is primed to tear NSW apart and could prove the major difference.

The 28-year-old has only crossed three tries in 16 appearances for Queensland, but we're backing him to add to that tally and help lift the shield in Game II in a high-scoring affair. 

BEST BET: Cameron Munster Man of the Match ($6 with BlueBet)

SAME-GAME MULTI: QLD 1-12, over 37.5 total points, Cameron Munster ATS ($16.84 with BlueBet)

Joshua Mayne

Joshua Mayne Photo

Joshua Mayne is a content producer for The Sporting News Australia based in Sydney, Australia. He has previously worked as a newsreader at 2SER and journalist at Ministry of Sport. While Joshua’s main passions are football, rugby league, basketball and F1, he will watch any sport that's on. He is still waiting for Arsenal to win the Premier League again. 

 

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW. 

 

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux Photo

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.