State of Origin Game 2 betting preview & picks | NSW v QLD

Blues v Maroons best bets – Origin II

Origin Game 2 preview: New South Wales v Queensland

The 2026 State of Origin series heads to Melbourne with New South Wales leading 1-0 after one of the wildest finishes in recent Origin memory.

Queensland had Game 1 in their hands before Kalyn Ponga’s controversial send-off flipped the contest on its head. The Maroons were reduced to 12 men, NSW kept coming, and James Tedesco eventually stole it for the Blues with a huge try in the dying stages.

That result gives NSW the chance to seal the series at the MCG, but Queensland will travel south with plenty of anger. Billy Slater’s side will feel they let one slip in Sydney, and that should bring a much sharper and more physical Maroons performance in Game 2.

The Blues have made changes of their own, with Payne Haas back in the side and Victor Radley again giving Laurie Daley energy through the middle. Radley was unlucky not to score in Game 1 after having a try called back for offside, and he looks like one of the more interesting roughies in the anytime tryscorer market.

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State of Origin Game 2 team news

New South Wales Blues

NSW bring plenty of power into Game 2, with Haas returning to the front row and Isaah Yeo captaining the side from lock. Nathan Cleary keeps control of the No.7 jersey, while Mitchell Moses has been named at five-eighth after Ethan Strange’s impressive Game 1 effort.

Radley is the key betting angle from the bench. He gives NSW a burst of aggression and support play through the middle, and for whatever reason, the Blues jersey seems to bring another level out of him. If he times one support line correctly close to the posts, the +1050 anytime price could look big very quickly.

Queensland Maroons

Queensland have stuck with Ponga at fullback, while Cameron Munster and Sam Walker again lead the halves. Walker was excellent for long stretches in Game 1, and his goal-kicking gives him a clear path into any combined-points market with Cleary.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui starts up front and should have extra fire in his game. Queensland need their pack to set the tone early, and Tino is the sort of forward who can drag the Maroons back into the series with his carries, defence and effort around the try line.

Origin Game 2 betting predictions – NSW v QLD

Victor Radley anytime tryscorer at +1050 is the best roughie on the NSW side. He was inches away from cashing in Game 1 before being ruled offside, and that kind of involvement matters. Radley does not need to be on the field for 80 minutes to be dangerous; he just needs one quick play-the-ball, one Cleary short ball, or one support run through tired middle defenders. Back him to cross with BetOnline.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui anytime tryscorer at +700 is the Queensland play. The Maroons will be fired up after Game 1, and Tino should be right at the front of that response. He will carry hard near the line, chase repeat efforts and look to put Queensland on his back through the middle. If the Maroons get a close-range set early, he is a live chance to crash over with BetOnline.

Nathan Cleary and Sam Walker to combine for 24+ points at +650 is the higher-upside points play. Both halves have enough attacking class to get over the line themselves, but the real appeal is the kicking. Cleary and Walker were both sharp off the tee in Game 1, and another tight Origin contest could bring plenty of penalty goals and conversion chances. If each side scores a few tries, this combined number is well within reach with BetOnline.

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