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2026 State of Origin Game 2, NSW Blues vs QLD Maroons - Man of the Match Predictions
Bets.com.au offers insights and predictions for the 2026 State of Origin Game 2 Man of the Match award. After Nathan Cleary’s Game 1 heroics, Sam Walker is highlighted as Queensland’s chief candidate following a stellar debut. Nathan Cleary remains a favourite if NSW wins, thanks to consistent halves MOTM wins in recent years. Kurt Capewell is tipped as a value roughie, praised for his typical hardworking Origin performance. Key takeaway: halves dominate recent MOTM honours, but a Maroons comeback could swing the medal north.
- Nathan Cleary leads NSW’s Man of the Match predictions after Game 1 heroics.
- Sam Walker is QLD’s main contender with a brilliant debut performance.
- Kurt Capewell is the value roughie; recent MOTM winners have mainly been halves.
2026 State of Origin Game 2 Man of the Match Predictions
2026 State of Origin NSW Blues vs QLD Maroons Man of the Match Predictions
Nathan Cleary put on a masterclass to bring the Blues home in Game 1, taking man of the match honours. The narrative here would be that QLD level up the series in Melbourne leading to a Maroons player grabbing the top on-field honours.
- Since 2017, 9 forwards, 11 halves, 6 fullbacks and 2 centres have won the MOTM honours.
- Nathan Cleary's previous two Origin MOM performances have been in a Game 2.
- A half has won Man of the Match in 3 straight Origin matches.
Bets.com.au has put together their picks for the MOTM Award for Game 2 of the 2026 Origin series between Queensland and New South Wales.
Sam Walker
Sam Walker $13Man of the Match - Game 2Bet Here
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The Roosters halfback had a fantastic Origin debut in Game 1 with 2 Try Assists, 1 Linebreak Assist, 1 Tackle Break, 18 Tackles as well as 462 Kick Metres. He also kicked 3/3 conversions as well as a penalty goal in one of the most well rounded debut performances of the last decade. Had QLD won, he would have been first in line for the medal.
Nathan Cleary
Nathan Cleary $6.50Man of the Match - Game 2Bet Here
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After years of talk saying that Nathan Cleary cannot perform at Origin level, the Penrith Panthers and Blues halfback put his detractors to bed with a standout performance to help lift his team to victory. Including his win in Game 1, halves have taken MOM honours on 11 occasions, by far the most of any group of positions. If NSW win the series on Wednesday, it will be because of him.
Roughie Pick - Kurt Capewell
Kurt Capewell $51Man of the Match - Game 2Bet Here
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Kurt Capewell is the definition of Origin. The New Zealand Warriors second rower gets about his work, doesn’t make a racket, pays with blood and rarely makes a mistake. He played 80 minutes in Game 1, had 14 runs for 107 metres, 38 of them post contact,
Check out our Game 2 Match Predictions as well as First Tryscorer of Game 2.
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