The coveted opening game of the annual State of Origin clash between the mighty Queensland Maroons and the gutsy New South Wales Blues plays out tonight at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium and the State vs State, Mate vs Mate blockbuster is set to be one of the most bet on sporting events in Australia all year.
2015 Holden State Of Origin – Game 1
- Wednesday May 27
- New South Wales Blues vs Queensland Maroons
- ANZ Stadium, Sydney
- 8pm (AEST)
Dating back to 1980 when it was a very different style of Rugby League being played under a different Origin format, the now three-match State Of Origin tournament has developed into the game’s most anticipated event.
After a record eight straight series wins the Queenslanders were stopped in their tracks last year when the New South Welshmen ended the Canetoads’ dominance stealing the shield after winning the opening two games.
The Mal Meninga-coached Maroons though fought back with a solid game three win to stop a 3 – nil whitewash and so it is tonight’s favourites in our State Of Origin betting markets who won the last encounter between these two great rivals.
Meninga is sticking with tradition naming all the ageing greats who have given him so much to boast about over the past decade with all the best Queensland vets called upon to dig deep and kick things off with a win away from home this evening.
Blues’ coach Laurie Daley meanwhile has made some interesting Origin Game 1 team selections for sure including overlooking one of the New South Wales’ most capped players Luke Lewis, Daley going for youth over experience.
In our latest odds for tonight it is Queensland leading the betting at $1.72 to the Blues’ $2.20.
However in an effort to give our punters the best value we’re running a massive Blues Bonanza and offering $3.20, up from $2.50 for the NSW to win Game 1 in an unbeatable promo!
Back New South Wales for inflated $3.20 odds in State of Origin Game 1!
So are we confident we won’t lose money with this offer? Absolutely not.
While both teams are gunning for the underdog status ahead of the showdown, really the Blues have slipped under the radar when it comes to money placed on them to win and to us that looks dangerous; here’s why.
Why NSW Can Win State Of Origin Game 1
- While on paper their squad is low on rep experience compared to Queensland they have youth on their side
- Queensland are getting old and the injury / illness concerns in the Maroons camp could take its toll including Greg Inglis (virus), Billy Slater (shoulder), Justin Hodges (foot) and Daly Cherry-Evans (elbow) who was named in the original squad but ruled out early
- Showed they could beat Queensland last year and that confidence / momentum is a great thing in the game
- They will win because now they know they can win
- They’ve got the bigger forward pack and that muscle power up front will count in a low scoring game
- While they’ve been criticised for a limited style of play that could work in their favour to wear down the Queensland side late in the game
- Defensively the Blues have the upper-hand in their halves combination with 417 tackles (QLD 324)
- Have a far better record at ANZ with Queensland having won only 6 of the past 21 (+ 1 draw) at the venue and just 1 of the past 5
- New South Wales have picked a strong squad with plenty of players out to prove their selection was no mistake
- Daley copped plenty for going with a non-club halves-combo in Mitchell Pearce and Trent Hodkinson but both fully deserve their spots and if they settle and gel can cause hell for their equals
- Have ace props at play in Aaron Woods and Andrew Fifita up front ready to cause some headaches
Read enough to believe the Blues can win tonight’s opener? Then take advantage of our juicy $3.20 price now!