It’s time: Game 2 of the 2017 State of Origin series between the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons, and we’ve got you covered for all your expert tips and predictions.
It’s 2005 all over again. Allow me to set the picture – Andrew Johns misses Game 1 with injury, which the Blues lose. He then comes back and lifts the Blues to their third straight series. Sound familiar, Mr Thurston?
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The Roar‘s NRL expert tipping panel are here to tell you whether that’s going to happen this time. Will Queensland bounce back to win their millionth – sorry, eleventh series in twelve years? Or will the Blues keep the ship steady and win at home?
After their 28-4 victory in Game 1, the Blues have stuck solid with the 17 that got the job done away from home, making no changes for a potential series-clinching match at home.
Mitchell Pearce is coming off his best ever Origin game, James Tedesco was solid and Nathan Peats impressed on debut, while the forwards were dominant all game long.
The Maroons, on the other hand, so long known for their stick and pick loyalty, have made sweeping changes. Seven of them, in fact.
Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston are back, at the expense of Corey Oates and Justin O’Neill, while the forward most were calling out for before Game 1, Jarrod Wallace, has also been included.
Gavin Cooper is back into the second row, while Coen Hess and the shock selection of Tim Glasby will round out the bench.
Making way are the injured Nate Myles, as well as Sam Thaiday, Aidan Guerra and Jacob Lillyman.
Don’t forget that on the form below, you can put your own tips in on behalf of The Crowd. We will have the results at 6pm (AEST) on Wednesday, so be sure to have them in before then. Who knows, The Crowd might prove themselves to be better than the experts.
Tip: Maroons by 8
Queensland. The old boys in Maroon would like nothing more than to claim one more series victory. After the humiliation of Game 1, they will be primed and focussed on the job at hand.
While they’ll be right up against it with the Blues not being forced into any changes, I believe they now have the strike power to take it right up to the Blues. Johnathan Thurston, pairing with Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater returning to the side gives them plenty of weapons to run up a score.
Do the Blues have the resilience when the Maroon blow torch goes on their belly? I don’t think so.
First try-scorer: Dane Gagai
Tip: Blues by 10
The Maroons did what they had to do and made numerous changes. Had they gone in with close to the same team from Origin, they would have automatically come out of this game with the same result.
Now that they’re fielding a revamped team, particularly with superstar Johnathan Thurston back from injury at five-eighth, they can plan to do things differently and tell themselves they’re a much better chance of winning this time around.
But the fact is the Blues are still superior in the forwards and on the bench. The Maroons couldn’t stop Andrew Fifita, in particular, in game one and they couldn’t find anyone amongst themselves to do even remotely the same sort of damage.
The Blues have got the best big boppers to start the game, in Fifita and Aaron Woods, and then another big human in David Klemmer to come off the bench and keep the size and power factors going, keeping the pressure on the Maroons.
The other Blues bench players – Wade Graham, Jake Trbojevic and Jack Bird – are all skilled as well as tough. The Maroons are going to have good periods of play, but it will be very difficult for them to hold the Blues for 80 minutes. Too difficult, in fact.
First try-scorer: Jarryd Hayne
Tip: Blues by 10
This is going to be a great game. Finally, Kevin Walters has picked the next generation of Queensland players and with the inclusion of Coen Hess, Jarrod Wallace and the return of Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston, I’m expecting a genuine contest.
To win, the Blues must come to this game with the same sense of commitment and urgency they showed in Game 1. With a rejuvenated Queensland forward pack, the Maroons will look to control the pace of the game (something they were unable to do in Game 1). It will be up to Nathan Peats to ensure quick service from dummy half and for the Blues forward pack to match the strength of their northern rivals.
Many NSW fans might be nervous at the squad announced. I’m not. State of Origin is about the best 17 from one state taking on the best 17 from the other.
With 80,000 people behind them on Wednesday night, the Blues will get home.
First try-scorer: James Tedesco
Tip: Maroons by 4
The Queensland changes are going to be enough to get them over the line. Seven is a huge number, but it’s not as if all the players they are bringing in are inexperienced.
That would be a problem. Bringing in Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston isn’t. Thurston is the best player to ever step on a rugby league field, and his class and control on return from injury against the Eels last week was stunning.
Joining Cooper Cronk, it’s hard to see Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney being able to run the game how they would like, as was the case in Game 1.
Queensland’s biggest problem is still trying to contain the Blues pack, who rolled them in Game 1. Andrew Fifita put in a special performance, but it’s one we all know he is capable of reproducing. Jarrod Wallace is the key stopping man, but the selections of Coen Hess and Gavin Cooper are also good ones.
Josh Papalii coming off the bench is also a scary prospect. If they can maintain level pecking in the forwards, then Thurston and Cronk’s kicking game, as well as Slater’s match-winning ability gets them over the line.
I do think the Blues will make a strong start though.
First try-scorer: Josh Dugan
| State of Origin Game 2 | Tim | Greg | Mary | Scott | The Crowd |
| NSW v QLD | QLD | NSW | NSW | QLD | NSW |
| Margin | 8 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 1 |
| First Try-Scorer | Dane Gagai | Jarryd Hayne | James Tedesco | Josh Dugan | Jarryd Hayne |
Now it’s your turn to try and beat the experts. Using the form below, select your tips for the weekend ahead and we will have the results at 6pm (AEDT) on Wednesday evening.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Crowd's Tips are in! Thanks to everyone who took part! Let me tell you that Roarers are split right down the middle. Winner The Blues came out on top with 50.8% of the vote. Margin It's either the Blues by 1 or Maroons by 4. Both attracted the same percentage of vote, so we've given it to Blues by 1 for The Crowd's margin with the Blues being tipped as winner. First Try-Scorer Billy Slater was the highest ranked player with 10.4%. Jarryd Hayne came in second with 9.4%, while Valentine Holmes had 9.1%. See you just after 8pm (AEST) for live coverage of Game 2 right here on The Roar!
Jen North QLD
Guest
Maroons by 14 points Chambers 1st try scorer Gagai man of the match
Remo Shankar
Roar Pro
As a NSW die-hard, couldn't agree more. I don't believe there's been a better player than Thurston when you consider longevity, consistency, game-turning ability, and his skill set at club, Origin and International level...and Cameron Smith will be right behind him, if not level pegging.
Charles NSW
Guest
As I said earlier he did what he should under normal circumstances. Stop making better then what he is.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ha, well that's not gonna happen is it?
Scott Pryde
Expert
I'll take JT over Johns any day. He turns up every single time he steps on a footy field. There is no if's, not but's. He turns up and plays consistently whether it's for the Cowboys, the Indigenous All Stars, Queensland or Australia. I've only ever seen JT play 2 or 3 'poor' games, and even a poor game by his standards is still better than most halves. And his defence is pretty damn good for a half.
Scott Pryde
Expert
He played pretty well honestly - whether you agree with the game plan of kicking to Oates or not is another issue - you can't argue he executed it well though.
Garth
Guest
The Blues are expecting a massive effort by the Meroons. The Meroons will throw everything at NSW. However, the Blues will go to a sublime level, leaving nothing in the tank, and win the game and the series. We will see the end of an era that may never be matched in the future,
kk
Roar Pro
Scott, This could mark you return to form.
Big Will TBU
Guest
I must take issue with Scotts claim that Thurston is the best there's ever been. Future immortal no doubt, and his attack with sublime kicking, passing and try scoring is equal to Andrew Johns. But a complete footballer must also be able to defend and Johns is clearly superior on this aspect of the game. He could tackle like a second rower, whereas JT can pull of some miraculous try saves through sheer determination but is steamrolled too often in the up and back grind of the game.
steveng
Roar Rookie
That's what I'm saying, the Blues are going to be that fast that JT will go for the count, Oingo lol
Charles NSW
Guest
Mitchell Pearce is coming off his best ever Origin game! Really? He played like any ordinairy 1/2 back should in normal circumstances. He is in SOO so he has to be far better than that. NSW have their hands full and will need to be smart about how they play this game to win.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
They're gunna have to carry Thurston off on a stretcher, for him not to finish.
steveng
Roar Rookie
JT wont last the game, his injury and stamina won't last, the Blues will destroy the Marrons in the middle and wil score out wide, Smith and Cronk will be niggling the Blues the whole game. The Marrons will be wrestling and laying all over the Blues to slow play down. Blues by 3 tries plus.
David Brown
Roar Rookie
The prediction? Who knows! Queensland have got rid of their flotsam and look a lot stronger but this really is a coin toss. If I'm a betting man (being a Brit I don't dabble in these shenanigans) then I'd say a late minute score by Holmes will seal the series.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Blues by two tries , Man of the match ,,,,Cordner . 1st try scorer ..... Fafita
Hamzi bin Ahmed
Guest
Hey boys how are you? No listen Qld look tough today and omg they gonna come hard at our boys and stuff. They will throw all they got at us and stuff. My friend bilal saw nsw train the other day and he said they look great like serious and stuff they are the team to beat. I wish a brother like hazem el magic represented us on the pitch but not to be this year. Tony azzi told me he drove one of the blues to the casino on Friday afternoon and he said the blues should win because the game is in nsw and stuff. I said listen habib it's gonna be a close game like omg and stuff it will be amazing to watch.
Brett the Manly Fan
Guest
The Blues are gonna roll right through the middle once again, Thurston is gonna be hit by Frizell and co all night. Fafita and Klemmer will steam roll through the Qld Forwards once again. Mitchell Pearce will be Man of the Match. Dugan and Hayne will have a field day. Jake Trebo will score a try. Blake Ferguson will be the first try scorer. Teddy will once again be superb at the back. Slater will be bomb constantly. Final score will be 6-24 with NSW taking home the Shield.Thats my prediction.