State of Origin Recreation 2: NSW Blues v Queensland Maroons, kick off, begin time, find out how to watch, groups, odds, ideas

The Blues went into Recreation I as favorite, however on the again of some Cameron Munster magic, the Maroons managed to carry on for a 16-10 victory.

NSW are as soon as once more favourites, however have made a number of adjustments to their squad, whereas the Maroons are principally the identical.

Who will come out on high? Scroll down for all our newest information and evaluation.

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4:00pm — EXPERTS, PUNTERS PREDICTING CLEARY REDEMPTION

Punters have backed Nathan Cleary to bounce again from an Origin I efficiency that left even the halfback feeling ‘filthy’ at himself.

The newest TAB odds present Cleary is the short-price favorite at $5.50 to assert man of the match honours, backed by 27 per cent of the market. Solely Blues captain James Tedesco is best backed at 28 per cent.

Queensland maestro Cameron Munster’s share of the maintain has elevated from 9% to 12% since yesterday at $6.50.

Munster is much and away the very best backed to win the Wally Lewis Medal.

NSW are heavy favourites with punters to degree the sequence at Optus Stadium in Perth with the Blues now holding simply over 70 per cent of TAB’s H2H market. The Blues have shortened to $1.60 after beginning at $1.85, whereas the Maroons are out to $2.40 after beginning at $2.05 when the coach Billy Slater introduced his staff seven days in the past.

Blockbusting Blues winger Brian To’o continues to be the very best backed for first attempt scorer at $10. NSW debutant Matt Burton has a 11 per cent share of the cash at $15.

TAB Odds – State of Origin 2

Head-to-Head

$1.60 NSW (have been $1.85)

$2.40 Qld (have been $1.90)

Margin

$2.70 NSW 1-12 (35%)

$3.80 NSW 13+ (33%)

$3.40 Qld 1-12 (13%)

$6.50 Qld 13+ (14%)

$17 Draw

Participant of the Match

$5.50 N.Cleary (27%)

$6.50 C.Munster (12%)

$7.00 J.Tedesco (28%)

$7.50 D.Cherry-Evans

$9.00 I.Yeo

$11 C.Murray

$13 Ok.Ponga

3:15pm — WHY CARRIGAN WON’T BE ORIGIN ‘ONE-HIT WONDER’

Pat Carrigan produced one of many best debuts in State of Origin historical past. Now the Queensland star needs to show he isn’t a one-hit surprise.

Learn the total story right here

2.55pm — SMITH’S PLEA TO ‘GREAT REFEREE’

Queensland legend Cameron Smith has urged officers to not be influenced by NSW’s complaining, insisting whistleblower Ashley Klein is a “nice referee” who did a “fantastic job” in Origin I.

Klein will officiate Sunday night time’s second recreation of the sequence at Optus Stadium in Perth, the place a win will ship Queensland the Origin defend.

The Blues wasted no time blaming Klein for his or her 16-10 loss in Recreation One in Sydney, nitpicking Queensland’s robust ruck defence and complaining to referees boss Jared Maxwell.

The NRL resisted strain from the Blues to axe Klein and he has been retained for tonight’s sold-out blockbuster.

Queensland assistant coach Smith, Origin’s most skilled participant ever with 42 video games, stated Klein deserved the appointment.

“I’m hoping (he isn’t influenced). I don’t suppose he might be,” he stated.

“Ashley Klein is an excellent referee and there’s a purpose why he’s been given the job to officiate each video games of the sequence. He is an excellent referee and has been for a very long time.

“I believed he did a fantastic job in recreation one. He let the gamers play the sport, he didn’t attempt to have an excessive amount of of an impression on the match. That’s nice for gamers and followers, to see the open type of soccer.

“There was a bit of bit spoken concerning the ruck pace and it was talked about Queensland received away with a bit of bit within the ruck, however the numbers present there was little or no distinction.

“It was a matter of 0.2 of a second (benefit to Queensland). Visually, generally you possibly can suppose so much totally different to what the numbers present.

“So far as we’re involved, we’re going to play an identical type to recreation one and hopefully that might be adequate.”

Whereas NSW was crushed comprehensively within the center, prompting coach Brad Fittler to make mass adjustments, they nonetheless wished responsible Klein for the loss on house soil.

The Blues have been incensed they didn’t obtain a penalty till the 63rd minute, nonetheless Smith stated the very best Origin video games have been allowed to circulation.

“The dropping facet tends to select aside the sport, extra so than the staff that wins,” he stated.

“However all in all, it was a extremely good recreation by Ashley Klein. There was minimal penalties and interference by the officers. That’s what all of us love.

“Once I was enjoying, I beloved it when the sport was open and there was minimal stoppages.

“The gamers love that, it’s a greater recreation for it and nice for the followers.”

Other than dropping Recreation One gamers Xavier Coates and Reuben Cotter to ankle accidents, the Maroons have had a silky clean preparation and can begin 1-17.

Coach Billy Slater has urged the Maroons to capitalise on the chance they earned by beating the Blues in Sydney and seal the sequence in Perth earlier than Recreation Three in Brisbane on July 13.

Smith stated it was now as much as the gamers to ship.

“That’s the problem for the staff – that they don’t go into this recreation tonight with the mindset that we’ve already gained recreation one and we’re going house for recreation three so this consequence doesn’t matter,” he stated.

“This consequence does matter. They’ve received to consider the chance they’ve created for themselves by happening to Sydney, a spot Queensland hasn’t loved an entire lot of success at, they usually labored extraordinarily onerous over 80 minutes to get a victory.

“They should attempt to take the chance they’ve created for themselves and construct on recreation one.

“That’s been the message all week. We’ve not been happy with what occurred in recreation one, we’ve appeared to construct and hopefully we see an much more full Queensland facet tonight.

“That’s all of the teaching workers ask of them – that they exit and provides their best for the jersey.

“In the event that they try this, regardless of the consequence, everybody again house in Queensland might be pleased with them. If they’re all at their finest, we might be fairly aggressive.

“I’m actually trying ahead to this one. It’s going to be higher than recreation one.

“The way in which the Queensland staff has ready and appears round camp … they’re relaxed, and that’s an excellent signal.”

2:25pm — SELL OUT!

Brad Fittler and the NSW Blues might be combating to save lots of the State of Origin sequence in entrance of a promote out crowd at Optus Stadium in Perth.

The NRL confirmed on Sunday morning that recreation two was formally offered out.

It’s the first time Origin has been performed in Perth since 2019.

“We’re thrilled to announce a sellout in Perth for the second State of Origin match,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo stated.

“The response from our supporters has confirmed Origin as the best rivalry in Australian sport, providing a singular expertise for followers on and off the sector.”

ARIA profitable rock band Grinspoon will headline a pre-match line-up that additionally features a gentle present.

Solely single tickets stay for recreation three at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on July 13.

—Fatima Kdouh

2:20pm — TEDDY ONE STEP AWAY FROM ORIGIN RECORD

As James Tedesco prepares to for a must-win State of Origin recreation in Perth, statistics reveal the Blues skipper is actually one step away from a Blues file.

Learn the total story right here.

1:30pm — BLUES CLEAN SWEEP?

State of Origin U19s: NSW win 32-4 💙

Ladies’s State of Origin U19s: NSW win 22-6 💙

Ladies’s State of Origin: NSW win 20-14 💙

Can the Blues make it a clean-sweep weekend? 🤔

1:15pm — BLUES’ PRE-GAME WALK

12:50pm — MAROONS READY FOR WILD WEST REDEMPTION

Welcome again to the Wild West – the place the place Queensland’s Origin goals have been shattered.

The Maroons will run on to Perth’s Optus Stadium tonight looking for redemption following the nightmare of 2019.

It has been three years since Queensland was smashed 38-6 by NSW in Recreation Two after taking a 1-nil sequence lead into the match.

The Maroons have been blown off the park that night time and their solely factors got here courtesy of a penalty attempt because the Blues went on to win the sequence in an exciting decider at house.

With a 1-nil sequence lead this 12 months after profitable Recreation One in Sydney 16-10, Queensland doesn’t wish to let this chance slip.

Coach Billy Slater reminded his staff of what occurred that 12 months after they convened in Camp Maroon earlier this week.

Seven of the present Queensland gamers have been there in 2019 and five-eighth Cameron Munster stated the scars hadn’t healed.

“It’s not nice,” he stated of the recollections.

“Nobody ever needs to get flogged like we did. We had an identical feeling final 12 months (50-6 and 26-0 losses) and the boys have much more expertise from it now and the way it feels to lose by a lot.

“We’ve been on this state of affairs in 2019 and received flogged in Perth. Then we went to Sydney in a hostile surroundings and misplaced within the final couple of seconds.

“We want to ensure we enhance from recreation one and actually ensure that we do the whole lot we are able to to not have a decider at Suncorp.”

Remaining from the staff that night time together with Munster is captain Daly Cherry-Evans, Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai, Ben Hunt, Josh Papalii and Felise Kaufusi.

Following an 18-14 victory at house in Recreation One, the Maroons endured a tumultuous lead-up through which utility Moses Mbye suffered a extreme allergic response and was almost wiped from the sport.

Curiously, NSW’s attempt scorers from that recreation won’t be that includes tonight.

Hat-trick hero Tom Trbojevic is injured whereas two-try speedster Josh Addo-Carr and Tyson Frizell haven’t been chosen.

For Cherry-Evans, it was a disappointing expertise in his first 12 months as Queensland captain.

“It was a tricky night time,” he stated.

“We had gained the primary recreation in 2019 at Suncorp, so the circumstances will not be too dissimilar, 1-nil up heading to Perth.

“All of it went incorrect for us that night time, it was one of many more durable nights as a Queensland Origin participant.

“The scoreline was so lopsided, however I consider there’s a number of gamers left who’ve learnt so much about how the preparation was going into the sport and that was the primary time numerous us needed to fly to Perth on quick discover.

“Mentally and bodily we might be much more ready and understanding of what’s coming from the opposition as effectively.”

The writing was on the wall early for the Maroons when Trbojevic soared over Ponga within the eighth minute to open scoring earlier than Frizell bumped him off for NSW’s second.

If not for a penalty attempt within the 14th minute, the Maroons could haven’t received on the scoreboard.

“I can’t bear in mind numerous it however I do bear in mind standing behind the goalposts for a good bit of it,” Hunt stated.

“We simply didn’t carry out in any respect. It was fairly disappointing to be trustworthy. We have to have so much higher angle and actually flip up.

“You don’t get these alternatives on a regular basis the place you win recreation one.

“The staff that loses recreation one all the time is available in so much higher ready and extra determined. We’re going to should be so much higher than we have been within the first recreation.”

That’s why Slater hasn’t ignored the debacle of 2019 this week.

Whereas it could be his first sequence in control of the Maroons, Slater doesn’t wish to let this chance slip and ship the sequence to a decider.

It might be a a lot nicer feeling to be gunning for a clear sweep in entrance of a house crowd in Brisbane.

“There was numerous disappointment from that loss so it’s a kind of stuff you don’t wish to really feel once more,” Gagai stated.

“We clearly spoke about that. Billy has touched on it.

“We all know that NSW are going to be so much higher than they have been in recreation one this 12 months which is what they have been again then (in 2019), so we’ve simply received to give attention to ourselves and ensuring we’re bettering on recreation one and being so much higher.

“We now have put ourselves in an excellent place (after profitable recreation one) however we are able to’t take that with no consideration as a result of we all know NSW will come out desirous to get one again.”

12.25pm — LESS THAN 8 HOURS TILL KICK-OFF!

11:40am — REVEALED: BLUES’ BIZARRE PRE-GAME RITUAL

For Tommy’s sake, let’s name it the Samson Impact.

He would possibly bleed Blue, however even the late Tommy Raudonikis may need a number of selection phrases concerning the pre-game ritual of among the Blues gamers operating out for Origin II tonight – getting completely manicured eyebrows on the magnificence salon.

A handful of Blues – together with Penrith superstars Jarome Luai, Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton – devoted their solely day without work throughout camp in Perth to hunt out a beautician on Thursday to assist get them primed to face Queensland.

The furry crew clearly comply with the manscaping recommendation of Atlanta Falcons NFL legend Deion Sanders: “For those who look good, you’re feeling good. For those who really feel good, you play good.”

And “enjoying good” is precisely what the Blues want, as Luai, To’o and wrecking balls Junior Paulo and Siosifa Talakai might want to let their hair down and put their guards up towards a Maroons facet that ambushed all predictions in Recreation 1.

For Luai, his waves maintain particular which means. The Blues five-eighth made a pact together with his younger son Izzy to each develop out their hair.

“It was one thing for us, father son, to do collectively. That was the principle purpose. However then Bizza (To’o) jumped on board and grew his hair, too,” Luai stated.

“My son lower his hair over Christmas time. He received a bit of over it however I’m nonetheless holding on to it. Once I began rising it, we have been having a extremely good season and I used to be too scared to chop it … it felt prefer it was a bit of excellent luck, so I wished to maintain that luck going.”

10:45am — TINO VOWS TO STEP UP AFTER COTTER INJURY BLOW

Solely 4 weeks in the past Tino Fa’asuamaleaui felt he didn’t deserve to tug on a Maroons jumper this 12 months.

Now he says he’s prepared and in a position to step into the boots vacated by hamstrung Origin I hero Reuben Cotter and assist ship Queensland an unassailable sequence lead in Perth.

Fa’asuamaleaui will begin at lock rather than the injured Cotter on Sunday night time after the Cowboys workhorse was dominated out with a hamstring damage suffered within the warm-up previous to North Queensland’s 28-26 win over Manly.

That has thrust Fa’asuamaleaui into his favoured 13 jersey, with Maroons coach Billy Slater once more placing his religion within the Titans’ massive man to play a vital position in Queensland’s system.

It continues a whirlwind few weeks for the Gold Coast skipper, who final month conceded he felt he had not finished sufficient to earn a spot in Slater’s Maroons squad because the Titans’ NRL season floundered.

“As quickly as you step foot in camp you’d do something to be on this staff; for the boys, for the state, for myself and for the people who consider in me. That’s what motivates me to push that further mile,” Fa’asuamaleaui stated.

One one that clearly believes in him is Slater, and Fa’asuamaleaui says he is able to show his coach right.

“I’m so grateful, like I’ve stated earlier than,” he stated.

“This chance doesn’t come round on a regular basis. It’s solely three video games a 12 months and also you’re fortunate to get one. To be heading to this second recreation in Perth, I wish to keep right here (a part of the staff) and ensure I do effectively for Queensland.”

Cotter was monstrous in Origin I, enjoying the total 80 minutes and incomes many followers and pundits’ Man of the Match, although finally Cameron Munster was a worthy winner.

He was tireless within the deal with and his hurries of Nathan Cleary went an extended approach to halting the Blues’ ahead forays.

Fa’asuamaleaui has not but performed 80 minutes in 13 begins at lock for the Titans this season and might be unlikely to begin now within the excessive tempo Origin area.

Standing 17cm taller and 12kg heavier than Cotter, Fa’asuamaleaui promised to go away his personal impression on Origin II.

“Clearly Reubs did so effectively there in recreation one and has been unfortunate together with his damage however transferring to lock, issues don’t actually change for me,” Fa’asuamaleaui stated.

“Hold it easy. Run onerous, deal with onerous and do the additional work for Queensland and the boys round me.

“We’re utterly totally different (gamers). You’ll be able to see the scale (distinction) and the whole lot. If I’m on the market for 20 (minutes), 40 or no matter all I can promise is I’ll do my finest for Queensland.”

10:30am — IS MUNSTER THE MAROONS’ NEW ‘KING’?

He has been in comparison with “The King” Wally Lewis, however Cameron Munster isn’t happy together with his Origin highlights reel and has challenged the Maroons to supply a correct ‘Queenslander’ efficiency to win again the defend.

Munster doesn’t simply wish to replicate his Origin I heroics, the place he was topped man-of-the-match in Queensland’s 16-10 victory towards NSW in Sydney.

He needs to go to a different degree at Perth’s Optus Stadium and clinch a sequence win inside two video games – similar to the Blues did final 12 months to embarrass Queensland.

“I hope there’s extra, that might be superb,” Munster stated when requested if he had peaked as an Origin participant.

“I’ve been very fortunate in sure moments of massive video games however I’ve additionally had some low moments in massive video games as effectively.

“It might be good to place the cherry on high (tonight), however there’s numerous onerous work that we now have to get proper. Hopefully we are able to go up one other gear.”

Very similar to Maroons legend Lewis – considered the best Origin participant of all time – Munster has shortly develop into the brand new king of State of Origin.

He burst into the Origin area with a surprising debut for Queensland in 2017 and gained the Wally Lewis Medal as player-of-the-series in 2020.

Now 27, Munster is within the prime of his profession, as evidenced by his dismantling of NSW in Recreation One at Accor Stadium to present Queensland a 1-nil sequence lead.

However he isn’t content material. The scars of final 12 months’s horror sequence, the place the Maroons surrendered the Origin defend inside two embarrassing video games, are nonetheless recent in Munster’s thoughts and he needs redemption in Perth.

“We’re simply hardworking Queensland battlers who wish to go on the market and play proud for our state,” he stated.

“Final 12 months wasn’t superb. It wasn’t a Queensland efficiency. There’s clearly a winner and loser, however there was a distinction between their type of footy and ours.

“There was no actual ‘Queenslander’ materials. It’s not over till the fats woman sings and I really feel like we toppled over round that 50-60-minute mark in most video games. That’s not us.

“We all the time work onerous till the final minute and the final sequence wasn’t adequate for us.”

Heading into his fifteenth look for the Maroons, Munster is now a longtime Origin participant and Queensland’s largest menace.

However he insists he’s nowhere close to the nice Lewis – who gained a file eight man-of-the-match awards throughout a glittering 34-game Origin profession.

“There isn’t a one higher than Wally Lewis – Wally is the king ceaselessly,” Munster stated.

“He had eight man-of-the-match performances which is why the medal is called after him. He did numerous issues proper when he performed for Queensland and that’s why he’s so beloved.

“To be talked about is nice, however I’ve finished nothing like him. He’s finished much more than I’ve finished in my profession.

“He’s the king of Queensland and all the time might be. There is just one Wally Lewis. We’ve had greats like Johnathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer within the six jersey as effectively.

“I can simply go on the market and do my job for Queensland. I don’t wish to be pumping my tyres up an excessive amount of.

“It was an excellent efficiency, nevertheless it was just one. We’ve nonetheless received two extra video games and I wish to be sure that I play persistently for each.”

After being missed by quite a few scouts as a schoolboy in Rockhampton, Munster has developed into one of many NRL’s celebrity gamers with the Melbourne Storm.

A jovial character who entered rehabilitation final 12 months to deal with alcohol and playing points, Munster is a singular expertise whose unpredictability makes him a close to unstoppable power at instances.

But it surely’s his persona that makes him such a harmful participant, in response to tremendous coach Wayne Bennett who labored with Munster in Queensland’s 2020 miracle sequence win.

“Cameron has all the time been a beautiful participant,” Bennett stated.

“He was nice for us within the 2020 sequence and he had a tricky 12 months final 12 months, however he has all the time been within the high class of gamers.

“Cameron has by no means been excellent. It’s been part of his journey. Within the World Cup in 2017, he received despatched house from Darwin due to an off-field incident, in order that’s been a part of Cameron’s make up.

“However the one factor I like about Cameron is his soccer data and he’s the intense competitor.

“I get on so effectively with Cameron as a result of there is no such thing as a agendas with him. He’s who he’s. He simply needs to win each time and that’s his nice power.

“The night time we gained the sequence (2020) he was at his best possible. I simply let Cameron exit and play footy. There was no set plans. I didn’t fill his head with something. I simply requested him to play the best way he performs and he performed what was in entrance of him with pleasure.

“I discovered him a pleasure to educate. There may be nothing complicated about him. He loves being a part of a staff and making a contribution.”

Whereas Queensland is blessed with expertise, it’s onerous to see the Maroons profitable in Perth if Munster doesn’t hearth.

Bennett, 72, has seen all of it throughout a 40-year teaching profession and reckons Munster has attributes like 34 – recreation Queensland nice Allan “Alfie” Langer.

“He’s not in need of pure expertise. All the nice gamers have these nice qualities,” he stated.

“Allan Langer did issues different gamers couldn’t do and that’s what Cameron Munster does. He breaks tackles that don’t seem like they are often damaged, however he comes out the opposite facet.

“He has that larrikin nature however what I like at the beginning is his fierce aggressive nature. Alfie appreciated a joke however he was a fierce competitor.

“Cameron simply hates dropping and it’s what permits him to play the best way he does in Origin. He by no means needs to return second. All the nice gamers have it of their DNA, they don’t need their opponent placing one over them.

“Cameron, like many nice gamers, can have enjoyable off the sector and have the odd subject, however they all the time ship on the sector.

“Cameron means effectively. He is an efficient particular person. He isn’t a man who has finished horrible issues to anybody else.”

Besides perhaps to the Blues on the scoreboard in Perth tonight, if he has his method.

Initially revealed as State of Origin Recreation 2: NSW Blues v Queensland Maroons, kick off, begin time, find out how to watch, groups, odds, ideas