The second match of the 2024 State of Origin series has arrived, with New South Wales needing a win at the MCG to continue the series, while a win for Queensland will see them walk away with the shield.
State of Origin Tips – New South Wales vs Queensland
History: Played 130, Queensland 70, New South Wales 58, draws 2
Last Five Matches
Game 3, 2022 – Queensland 22 def NSW 12 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Game 1, 2023 – Queensland 26 def NSW 18 at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Game 2, 2023 – Queensland 32 def NSW 6 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Game 3, 2023 – NSW 24 def Queensland 10 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Game 1, 2024 – Queensland 38 def NSW 10 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team News
New South Wales: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To’o 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Zac Lomax 6. Jarome Luai 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jake Trbojevic (c) 9. Reece Robson 10. Payne Haas 11. Liam Martin 12. Angus Crichton 13. Cameron Murray 14. Connor Watson 15. Isaah Yeo 16. Haumole Olakau’atu 17. Spencer Leniu
Queensland: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Xavier Coates 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c) 8. Reuben Cotter 9. Ben Hunt 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Jaydn Su’A 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Harry Grant 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Kurt Capewell
What we Like
First Tryscorer (Latrell Mitchell @ $11.00)
Recalled back into the NSW Blues line-up for the first time since 2021 due to the suspension of Joseph Suaalii, Latrell Mitchell has a point to prove and will be eager to put any critics to bed. Mitchell enters the team as one of the most dominant players in the NRL but has struggled to prove himself on the big stage since moving to the Rabbitohs from the Sydney Roosters. Transitioning back into the centres for Wednesday’s clash, his accolades speak for themselves, but he has regularly been on the bad end of pundits who say he can’t live up to expectations. The two-time premiership winner can easily prove his doubters wrong with a blockbuster performance.
Anytime Tryscorer (Spencer Leniu @ $9.25)
Three-time premiership winner Spencer Leniu showed in Game One – his Origin debut for the NSW Blues – that he is made for the State of Origin arena and was one of New South Wales’ best players in the opening match. Every time he got his hands on the ball, Leniu looked like scoring and recorded a ton of tackle busts, which just illustrated his power on the attacking end of the field. Set to play more minutes in Melbourne – he was absent for 15 minutes in the opening game due to a HIA – it is guaranteed that he will find the ball in his hands near the try line and is an outside chance to earn a four-pointer.
Total Score 37.5 (Over 37.5 @ $2.02)
Following a high-scoring Game One, the total score can be expected to fall over the total points line of 37.5 points. Both teams will be looking to outdo each other in attack, and matches played in Melbourne regularly see multiple points scored by both outfits. Some attacking stars on show include the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (QLD), Dylan Edwards (NSW), Reece Walsh (QLD), Zac Lomax (NSW), Daly Cherry-Evans (QLD) and Jarome Luai (NSW).
Final Thoughts
The NSW Blues head (@1.89) into Game Two as favourites and are in a must-win situation to keep the 2024 State of Origin series alive. In a bid to keep the series alive, Michael Maguire has made a plethora of team changes, headlined by the inclusion of Rabbitohs duo Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell. Although they may be considered favourites, the Blues are under the most pressure, but they have players that can change a match in an instant. However, don’t expect the QLD Maroons to go away easily.