2012 could be the year New South Wales breaks Queensland’s stranglehold on the State of Origin after leading online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au has opened both sides at $1.90 to win this year’s series.

Both sides have also been installed at $1.90 each to win Game 1 in Melbourne on May 23.

“Things are looking a lot more positive for the folk of New South Wales in 2012 compared to the odds on offer in previous years,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

“The retirement of Darren Lockyer and the improved performances of the Blues last year under Ricky Stuart have influenced the market and at this point we can’t spilt them.”

2012 State of Origin Series Betting @ Sportsbet

$1.90 New South Wales
$1.90 Queensland

2012 Game 1 State of Origin Betting @ Sportsbet

$1.90 New South Wales
$1.90 Queensland

Game 3 of the 2011 State of Origin series is set to be a cracker, with the Blues getting their first win in 5 starts in game 2 against the Queenslanders down in Sydney in an enthralling battle. The Blues could have easily had this series wrapped up if they held on to their lead late in match 1, but some QLD brilliance got the Maroons over the line. So the Blues have proved they are the real deal in 2011 and they will need to continue the way they left game 2 if they want to reign on Darren Lockyer’s parade as the veteran is hanging up the rep boots after this match.

There will be more emotion in the QLD team tomorrow night than in any other match in history as the most capped Origin player of all time calls it quits. This emotion could see the Queenslanders play out of their skins. The Blues will be ready for this though, as they have been preparing for their most important win in history.

Team Lists

QLD  Preview

The Queensland run on side has only had to make 1 change from game 2 and it’s a boost with centre Justin Hodges pushing Nielsen to the extended bench position. Hodges has had a good Origin career and has showed that he can match his attack with solid defence, one of the reasons that he is still likely to make it into the Kangaroos team in the same position. Nielsen did not look out of place in either of his 2 Origin games this year, but he is yet to prove himself a starter for the Queenslanders when all players are available.

The most beneficial factor of this match is the farewell of Darren Lockyer. This will be his 36^th and last State of Origin appearance for the Queenslanders, more caps than any other player in the history of both sides. The crowd will be filled with emotion, and this is only going to g-up the feeling of the Queensland players.

In game 2 the speed and mobility of the NSW forwards had a lot to do with the win, in game 1 it was the solid platforms laid by the QLD forwards that allowed some space out wide to develop. So with both sides making absolutely no changes to the starting pack from game 2 you would have to side with the Blues to win the Forward battle.

In the backs it is the first game of 2011 that will feature both Inglis and Hodges on the team. This has been a key element of the QLD success over the last 5 years; therefore the QLD team should have the advantage on the fringes.

NSW  Preview

NSW fans and players are all looking forward to travelling up to Suncorp and causing a major upset by spoiling Lockyer’s farewell match. The QLD team will be carrying a lot of emotion into this from the local support, but this could also be a catalyst for the Blues to outperform their counterparts. The Blues have a relatively young side that is reminiscent of the Cain toads circa 2005, so if they get up here it could mean a lot of wins over the next few years.

No one knows this more than NSW head coach Ricky Stuart, who wants to keep his good Origin record intact over the next couple of years. Sticky seems to have worked wonders here by taking a massive gamble in game 2 with only 2 front rowers in the entire team. This match he has dropped Trent Merrin and replaced him with Galloway, a much better player IMO. Stuart is still yet to decide on Glenn Stewart, who has been the best ball playing lock in 2011. We’re still not sure if he will choose Gallen or Stewart, either way it is a boost to the team as Merrin has had very little impact in both of this games.

Michael Jennings is set to make his return (pending injury but likely to play). Jennings is a game breaker for NSW and he almost sealed the victory in Game 1 with 1 try and 1 try assist. Points are hard to come by in this arena, and when you can muster stats like that it is so essential that he plays. This is the only change to game 2 for the starting side at NSW, replacing young centre Hopoate who played a Jennings like game in that match.

Prediction

This is the hardest Origin game to pick in a long time, with the last few seasons being QLD as a certainty for most of the time. On one side we have the QLD teams who have a massive amount of reason to win with Lockyer’s farewell, this is countered with the Blues desperation and wanting to upset him and the crowd. What gets me over the line is the fact that the Blues dominated in Game 2, and could have easily wrapped it up already had it not been for a couple of defensive lapses in Game 1 that led to 2 QLD tries, hence a QLD victory. The Blues will take their first Origin series since 2005 in a mjor upset to the hearts and minds of QLD supporters. NSW 1-12.

Best Bets

NSW are the heavy outsiders for the upset and arte paying $2.45 for the H2H win. If like me you think they can win by 1-12 then get on it, because 13+ is hard to come by in Origin. This is currently at $3.75.

Late Mail

Michael Jennings and Beau Scott are not able to play tonight which is both good and bad for the Blues. This means the backs will experience a shuffle with Hayne to Centre and Morris on to the Wing. The hardest thing here is for Hayne to play as a Centre and not a Full Back or a 5/8. With Scott out it makes way for both Galloway and Stewart to play (one was to be ommitted originally). Both players have been outstanding in their respective positions, and with Scott not having a great impact in games 1 and 2 it should not be detrimental at all.

After this news the bookies are favouring the QLD team more than before, with the odds on the QLD team shortening to $1.54 and the Blues have extended to $2.52.

Game 2 of the 2011 SOO series is upon us, with the Blues needing to win this match to keep the fans interested and the series alive. Game 1 of the series was an absolute cracker, with both teams giving it 100%, a spectacular try to Billy Slater just minutes after NSW had seemingly sealed the game with a try to Jennings. The try to Slater was the second that was a result of a lapse in the Blues’ goal line defence, which means they could have easily won it had it not been for these mistakes. That being said the Queenslanders have been dominating this series for 5 years now and are just 1 win away from making it 6 in a row to cap off Darren Lockyer’s stellar career at this level.

QLD have won the last 4 in a row after completing a white wash in 2010. The Blues have had a number of forced changes coming into game 2 and their efforts were valiant in game 1. They will need to fight for those extra inches if they want to keep the dream alive.

Team Lists

NSW  Preview

The Blues have been in desperation mode for a number of years now and the all time record against QLD is starting to slip. The history of Origin series and game wins was as even as you could get it coming into 2007. The scales have tipped to one side since then and the Blues will need to win the next few series to make it even. Over the last 5 years they have been in disarray and have gone through a lot of different players. Ricky Stuart has tried to maintain the core of his team from game 1, however there was a few key injuries that have made this impossible.

The Blues came home like a freight train in Game 1, they also held out a lot of sets on their own goal line against the Cain toads. I liked what I saw from the blues but is it enough to get them over the line?

All over the media they are criticising the NSW selectors for being a couple of front rowers short, only time will tell if this is a tactic by Stuart or a complete blunder. After watching Petero, Pricey, Hennant and now Matt Scott dominate over the last 5 years for QLD I can only see this being a bad move by NSW.

QLD  Preview

QLD are sitting exactly where they wanted to be after Game 1 that was played at Suncorp 3 weeks ago. NSW gave them a scare after they snatched the lead with less than 12 minutes to play, however they only let them have the lead for 3 minutes of the entire game as Billy Slater sliced straight through the middle.

The Queenslander’s have a massive team upfront and will chew the metres up the middle of the park. Their back line is also impressive and is boosted further by the return of GI. There are only a couple of things that can possibly see the Blues getting up in this one. The first is the home ground advantage, even though the Cain Toads have had a good record there recently, their overall record is still quite poor. The other is if QLD turn in a dismal performance, and it will have to be very dismal if the blues are going to get up.

Prediction

As much as I would like to see this series go to game 3 I just can’t see it happening. The QLD team is absolutely massive and they are going to dominate around the ruck. Not only will they make plenty of metres but there will be plenty of opportunities for Smith and Slater to carve up the middle off the back of good go forward. QLD 1-12.

Best Bets

QLD H2H is paying a hefty return of $1.62 through Centrebet Australia. For the 1-12 get on the Queenslanders at $3.00. If you are a Blues supporter and can’t find it in you to bet on the QLD team then bet on something that doesn’t depend on who wins. Some good ones are NSW at half time to be wining for $2.15, or first scoring team win for $1.56. There are plenty of different options in this one so don’t be shy.

As predicted, the Maroons have made just one change to their team for game 3 of the 2010 State Of Origin. A far cry from the differences in the NSW Blues Team for game 3.

1. Billy Slater
2. Darius Boyd
3. Willie Tonga
4. Greg Inglis
5. Israel Folau
6. Darren Lockyer (c)
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Matt Scott
9. Cameron Smith
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Nate Myles
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Ashley Harrison

14. Cooper Cronk
15. David Shillington
16. Neville Costigan
17. David Taylor
18. Ben Lowe (18th man)

Go here for the latest odds on State Of Origin 3 or check out TAB Sportsbet.

The NSW Blues team has just been named for game 3 of the 2010 State Of Origin Series.

1. Jarryd Hayne
2. Brett Morris
3. Michael Jennings
4. Beau Scott
5. Michael Gordon
6. Trent Barrett (c)
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Jason King
9. Michael Ennis
10. Kade Snowden
11. Luke Lewis
12. Paul Gallen
13. Greg Bird

14. Kurt Gidley
15. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
16. Tim Mannah
17. Anthony watmough

Take a look at our State Of Origin game 3 betting article or go straight to Sportingbet and check the latest odds.

We’ll keep this article updated with the latest odds at the best Australian bookmakers.

Latest Odds – State Of Origin Game 3

Queensland: $1.57
NSW: $2.40

In regards to who’s going to win, I can’t see anything changing from the first two games. Queensland have dominated the 2010 State Of Origin series, and I’m betting that trend will continue.

The Queenslanders have a far superior side, better prepared mentally and NSW always seem to get their team selections terribly wrong.

The Blues have made several changes to their lineup for game 3. How much of an impact these players have remains to be seen. The majority of fans and pundits are predicting a 3-0 white wash, to cap of an incredible 5 straight series wins.

As soon as we have any news on betting for game 3 in the 2010 State Of Origin series we’ll keep you posted.

In the mean time we suggest checking Sportsbet and Sportingbet to see if their odds are up.

New to Australian bookmakers?

Read the Sportsbet review or the Sportingbet review.

Betting is well underway now for the 3rd and final game of the State of Origin for 2009. Queensland will once again start favourites as they look to strangle even more life out of the already lifeless Blues.

The selectors have made even more changes to the starting team of the Blues. The notable ones being the return of Brett Kimorley to half and Michael Ennis as hooker. The selectors have got it wrong all series so surely it must be tim for them to get something right. Personally, I agree with the inclusion of Kimmorley but I don’t think Farah deserved to be dropped. I was at the game between the Tigers and Souths on Saturday and he played superb.

In the betting markets, quite obviously it is the Maroons that start favourite. Sports Alive have them at $1.46 and the Blues at $2.70. QLD are always tough up at Suncorp and I think it will be a hard ask for any NSW team to come away with a win.

While I think the Blues will improve considerably from their poor performances this series, I don’t think they have enough class to get over the line. I’m putting my money on QLD to get up by 1-12 points. If you have a punt at Sports Alive you can get odds of 3-1. If you fancy QLD by 13+ the odds are slightly firmer at $2.75. Think the Blues will get up? They are at $4.25 and $6.75 for 1-12 and 13+ respectively.

For the latest State of Origin odds and all betting options for the 2009 series check out the official Sports Alive website. Australian Gambling visitors get an exclusive 100% bonus for creating a new account.

Witten by guest professional sports bettor – Christopher Paul

That should be the headline after tomorrow night’s State Of Origin clash. The QLD 2009 side are the best Maroons side in the history of State Of Origin. QLD will win tomorrow night by 13+ even though they are playing in enemy territory where they haven’t performed well in the past. The all Australian backline will produce the goods and show what a failure Trent Barrett is.

Barrett has been chosen before and has been shown up in the past and been caught below standard. My predicition is that Wayne Bennett will be called in to co-help Craig Belllamy to stop a record 5th series loss in a row next year.

The selectors are gone. They have done their dash.

Sportsbet have the Maroons paying $3.30 to win by 13+. Get on.

State Of Origin Game 2, 2009 kicks of tomorrow night in what should be an interesting game to watch. The NSW Blues have made a host of changes to their lineup for both tactical and injury reasons.

There are no certainties in this match but I have a feeling it is going to be a close one. There is no doubt in my mind that the QLD Maroons have a much better side in terms of quality and stars. Whether or not they can win away from home is a different story.

With the introduction of Trent Barrett in to the halves, it should provide much needed experience to direct the team around. Peter Wallace will have to lift his game substantially if the Blues are going to win this one.

Whatever the outcome is in this match, I still think the Maroons will win State Of Origin Game 3. For game 2 though, even though QLD are the favourites I think the Blues will sneak home in a tight one.

Best Bet for 2009 State Of Origin Game 2

As I just alluded to I think the NSW will get up in a close one. You can get some great value by taking them to win by 1-12.

The best sports betting odds for them are at Sportsbet. They are paying $3.65 which will get a good return on your money. If you don’t already have an account there you can get the added benefit of a free bet. Check out the official website for further details.

IASbet are the next best Australian bookmaker option for betting on the State Of Origin. They are offering odds of $3.50 for NSW to win by 1-12.

While QLD are deserved favourites I don’t think it’s as clear cut as the pundits and betting predicts. Jump on the value here and you will have a good chance of it coming through. The Blues always perform well at home no matter what side they put on the paddock.

The NSW State of Origin team for game 2 in 2009 has been released just minutes ago. Notable inclusions include Trent Barrett from the Cronulla Sharks at Five-Eighth. Anthony Watmough has also been added to the bench. Here is the complete lineup of the Blues team for State of Origin Game 2:

1. Kurt Gidley (captain)
2. Jarryd Hayne
3. Jamie Lyon
4. Michael Jennings
5. David Williams
6. Trent Barrett
7. Peter Wallace
8. Brent Kite
9. Robbie Farah
10. Michael Weyman
11. Ben Creagh
12. Luke O’Donnell
13. Paul Gallen

Interchange:

14. Craig Wing
15. Justin Poore
16. Glenn Stewart
17. Anthony Watmough

Shadow Players:

Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
Joel Monaghan
Josh Morris

So Terry Campese and James McManus have been left of of the State of Origin team for game 2. There are some injury clouds over some of the team so players like Josh Morris are on the bench. All in all it looks like a slightly stronger team than we saw in game one.

If the halves can combine better than they have in the past then we could be in for a good show. It’s about time the Blues up to be counted. They have been labelled as an embarrassment by former players and heroes. The time has come for them to win their pride back.

You can bet on the game at Sportsbet.