Rugby Betting: Back Queensland Maroons to level State of Origin with win at New South Wales Blues

Recommended bet: Queensland Maroons to Win @ 27/20 (2.35) with Unibet

It’s the second game of the series as State of Origin II comes to the ANZ Stadium on Wednesday evening, with the New South Wales Blues looking to build on a comprehensive 28-4 victory over the Queensland Maroons in Game 1 at the Suncorp Stadium.

As a consequence of that demolition, Queensland coach Kevin Walters has made seven changes to his squad, including naming no fewer than four debutants – Valentine Holmes, Coen Hess, Tim Glasby and Jarrod Wallace – to face the Blues.

It seems the belief was that drastic action was called for and that’s what the selectors have provided.

In addition, they’ve also brought back several players with Origin experience for what is now a must-win match.  Gavin Cooper, Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater all return, with Slater’s selection expected to mean that Darius Boyd will move out to the wing and Dane Gagai will shift to the centres.

Of the seven players to make-way, only Anthony Milford is ruled out through injury, with the remaining six – backs Corey Oates and Justin O’Neill and forwards Nate Myles (although he does also have torn ligaments), Sam Thaiday, Aidan Guerra and Jacob Lillyman – all effectively dropped.

By contrast, Blues’ coach Laurie Daley has, not unsurprisingly, opted to name the same 17 that surprised the majority of observers in Game 1 of the series.

It’s difficult to believe that we won’t see a much improved performance from the Maroons here, particularly with the likes of Thurston, Slater, Cooper and debutant Holmes all featuring.

This is the start of a transition period for Queensland, but there is enough experienced quality combined with the fresh faces in their ranks to keep the series alive and deprive the Blues in their quest to tie up the series and claim the shield for just the second time in 12 years.

New South Wales are favorites for the game, but what remains of the Queensland Maroons old guard might yet just have enough about them to secure the win here and level the series.

As a result, Unibet’s 27/20 (2.35) available on the Queensland win looks worth a punt.