State of Origin Game 2
New South Wales v Queensland
8pm (ish) Sunday 24 June 2018 - ANZ Stadium
State of Origin heads back to Sydney this Sunday night for game 2, and it is the home team that will be looking to wrap up the series early. After a fantastic game 1 that was dominated by the electric James Tedesco and the lightning Damien Cook, the Blues will believe they finally have what it takes to end the Maroons' dynasty after all these years. If there is one thing we have learnt, though, it is that Queensland loves nothing more than being the underdog backed into the corner. This weekend shapes as one for the ages.
Game 1 has been remembered as a convincing win for the Blues, though closer inspection shows that the Maroons were well and truly in the fight, and even dominated for long periods before being overrun in the last 20 minutes. Both sides will take a degree of confidence from game 1, however it is clearly the Queenslanders who need to find the most improvement if this series is to go to a decider in Brisbane. First and foremost, this starts up front, and Dylan Napa and Jarrod Wallace both need a significantly greater output than the feeble numbers they put up in Melbourne. If Wallace thinks he can get away with only 3 runs for the game again, he is sorely mistaken. This ineffectual effort was an issue throughout the Queensland pack, with only Felise Kaufusi and Josh Papalii having any real sting in their attack. Jai Arrow tried hard, and will be looking for more minutes this time out, but the likes of Gavin Cooper, Coen Hess, Napa and Wallace must lift their output.
Out wide it was mixed bag for Queensland as well. Will Chambers had close to his worst Origin performance, completely outplayed by Latrell Mitchell on debut. The halves struggled to take control of the game, and their kicking game was largely disappointing. Greg Inglis was sensational, though, and the role of captain really suits him. Kevin Walters noted that if they had 17 Inglis' they would have won the match, and he will be hoping his skipper can turn up with the same aggression in Sydney.
Brad Fittler could not have been happier with how his revamped side performed in game 1. All of the debutants did their job, but it was two experienced players who led the way. James Tedesco was almost unstoppable from the back, while David Klemmer assumed a leadership role in the pack, and was just as outstanding. These two will again be key, but there are a couple of concerns for the Blues. James Maloney is in doubt, and Ipswich boy Luke Keary has been brought into camp as cover. This would be a massive blow for NSW, as Maloney took a huge amount of pressure off young Nathan Cleary in game 1. A Cleary/Keary halves combination is not quite as worrying for the Maroons.
The Blues have also lost Reagan Campbell-Gillard for game 2, with 31 year old Matt Prior given the nod over Ryan James. NSW shouldn't lose too much here, but it is disappointing for Campbell-Gillard, who is on the way to establishing himself as one of the dominant props in the game. Apart from these forced changes, NSW are looking to take the same line-up into game 2,s sure sign they were happy with how game 1 panned out.
Of course, the Maroons haven't been untouched by injuries either. At this stage, Billy Slater is doing everything he can to get his hamstring right, and his potential inclusion would be a huge boost. Not only would he add some badly needed creativity around the ruck, he would also add some organisation to the defence in the middle third. If he doesn't prove his fitness, young Kalyn Ponga will get his chance in the number 1. Ponga looks like being the Queensland fullback for the next ten years, so this could be an exciting glimpse into the future. Expect the Blues to test him out as much as possible though.
So where is this game won or lost? Firstly, NSW will be acutely aware of what happened in game 2 in 2017, and there is no way they will switch off this time like they did then. Fittler will be asking for more of the same from his troops- fast, hard running forwards, speedy backs supporting through the middle, and a controlling kicking game from his halves. The Blues will believe they have the formula to beat this Queensland team, and won't be straying too far from the script. Cleary will look to impose himself a little more after a solid but unspectacular debut, especially if Maloney is missing. We also didn't see too much of James Roberts in space, so expect the Jet to get a little more involved as well. The Blues will ride out the pressure from the Maroons, and look to strike whenever Cook senses the forwards are on the back foot.
For Queensland, they simply must see greater output from their forwards, and greater urgency in defence in the middle. The tackling on Cook and Tedesco was high and lazy, and Andrew McCullough has to shore up that area. Chambers has to ditch the trash talk and shut down Mitchell early, while Hunt's high kicks to Tom Trbojevic need to be left in the kitbag. Whoever decided that it was a good option to kick high for a tall fullback playing on the wing needs to think again. In attack, Hunt needs his kicks to be low and awkward for the lanky NSW backs, and whoever is playing fullback needs to offer more variety with ball in hand.
NSW are raging favourites in this one, off the back of their game 1 victory and the doubts surrounding the Queensland line-up. Maroons fans might be licking their lips at the value on offer, but could be a little gun shy as well. Rest assured, the Queenslanders will hit back, but only time will tell if they can stop this rampaging Blues outfit. Backing the Maroons with 7.5 points start at $2.03 looks like a good bet. If they can sneak a win, a decider up in Brisbane will be one to look forward to!
For the latest State of Origin odds, click here.
PROMO: The Blues were ultra impressive in their dominant Game 1 victory and they'll be looking to clinch their second series win in the last 13 years.
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