State of Origin Game 2 – man of the match tips and free bets

Wednesday, June 22 from 8.20pm at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

IT only seems like yesterday that the Queensland Maroons were able to hold off the New South Wales Blues in a dour affair in Sydney to kick off this year’s State of Origin series.

League fans will be hoping for a high-scoring match after just 10 points were scored for the entirety of game 1, and Sportsbet.com.au is anticipating exactly that after setting the total points line at 34.5.

Sportsbet is also favouring the Maroons to close out the series at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday.

The home side are $1.54 to win game 2, while New South Wales is the outsider at $2.55.

While the machinations of the game makes for a fascinating article, we are focusing on the man of the match markets for Origin 2 and as expected, there are plenty of familiar faces at the top of line for the Maroons.

All odds are provided by sportsbet.com.au, which have a terrific sign-up deal for punters who do not yet have an account.

Sign up at sportsbet and they will match your first settled bet up to the value of $501.

Queensland man of the match tips

The Queenslanders take a 1-0 Origin lead into their sole home ground match this series, and they will be feeling comfortable about closing it out.

We have gone for two men that have a wealth of representative experience in the man of the match betting for the Maroons, and we expect both players to have a huge say in the outcome of game 2.

Cameron Smith

The three-time Wally Lewis medallist was unlucky not to be named man of the match in the opening Origin game in Sydney after a herculean effort which saw him top the tackle count for his side.

The Melbourne Storm star will again be front and centre for the Maroons on Wednesday night and we expect the Queensland captain to have a huge impact in game 2.

Smith is an absolute rugby league stud who generates a great deal of his side’s attacks and we believe if the Maroons close out the series at Suncorp it will be off the back of their captain.

Man of The Match betting: Cameron Smith – $7.50

Darius Boyd

Another man that was desperately unlucky to win the man of the match award in Origin 1 was Brisbane Bronco Darius Boyd.

Boyd was absolutely tireless at full back in game 1, taking every high ball with consummate ease and taking every shot that the Blues could deliver and still came back for more.

His transition from defence to attack helped keep the Maroons on top of New South Wales as they pressed for the go-ahead try early in the second half.

Boyd has been in stellar club form since his standout performance in the Origin opener, and if he can maintain that form he will generate some serious cash for anyone prepared to take the punt on him.

Man of The Match betting: Darius Boyd – $10

New South Wales man of the match tips

It’s backs against the wall for the Blues in Origin 2.

Key centre Josh Morris will not take part in Wednesday’s match after ruling himself out on Monday, which leaves a gaping hole of experience in the Blues team.

New South Wales has plenty of talent in its squad, but can the Blues harness it?

We took a look at the two players we think will need to lift big time if the Blues are to cause an upset.

Paul Gallen

The New South Wales captain Paul Gallen had a quality game against the Maroons in game 1 without absolutely starring, carrying the bulk of the defensive work as well as the grunt offensive runs for his side.

League fans only need to cast their minds back to 2011 to remind themselves exactly what Gallen is capable of at Origin level, when he played arguably the greatest game of representative footy we have ever seen.

If big Gal steps up and has a huge match, the Blues will have a chance at levelling up this series.

Man of The Match betting: Paul Gallen – $11

Blake Ferguson

If the Blues are to cause the upset, it is going to have to come from one of their mercurial playmakers – and no man fits that description quite like the enigmatic Blake Ferguson.

Playing his first Origin game for three years, Ferguson was one of the Blues’ best, showing great dash and flair from the full back position.

This could become one of the great Origin redemption tales of all-time if the former Raider can harness his raw ability he will drive his side towards a game II win at Suncorp Stadium; but more importantly give his backers a gigantic return.

Man of The Match betting: Blake Ferguson – $101