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State of Origin Game 2 Tips and Predictions QLD Maroons vs NSW Blues - Billy ‘The Kid’ makes changes, but the dog won’t hunt in the West
- QLD Maroons vs NSW Blues expert predictions for Wednesday’s State of Origin Game 2 NRL game
- Kick off is at 8:05 PM (AEST) at Optus Stadium
- Blues' strong Game 1 performance and historical edge point to a blowout
- Mitch Moses out for NSW, replaced by Jarome Luai.
- Anytime try scorers: Zac Lomax and Hudson Young for NSW.
Jez says there are too many trends pointing to a NSW blowout.
QLD Maroons vs NSW Blues, State of Origin Game 2 2025 - Expert Prediction
New South Wales will capture their second consecutive series victory with all of the trends pointing towards a big win at Optus Stadium on Wednesday, June 18th.
- QLD Maroons vs NSW Blues, State of Origin Game 2 2025 - Expert Prediction
- Head to Head Form & Betting Trends
- QLD Maroons Form Analysis
- QLD Maroons Team News
- QLD Maroons Team List
- NSW Blues Form Analysis
- NSW Blues Team News
- NSW Blues Team List
- QLD Maroons vs NSW Blues NRL 2025 State of Origin Game 2 FAQ’s
The Blues dominance in the opening game of the series was larger than the 18-6 scoreline would suggest with the NSW pack, and the backs for that matter, clearly having an advantage in all of the key statistical indicators. The forwards overpowered Queensland and the back three of the Blues did a monster job helping the pack out of their own end.
The Maroons had no answer in attack with the NSW line holding strong throughout the whole match. Billy Slater has made some adjustments, none bigger than captain Daly Cherry-Evans being dropped out of the side. Still, I’m not sure that the Queensland selectors have done enough to fight the strengths of the Blues and match the mongrel that came at them in Game 1.
To tip things more in the Blues favour, the trends point to a big win for the Cockaroaches. The Blues have won 6 of the last 7 Game 2’s with 5 of their victories being by a 20+ margin. They have also dominated in both matches that have been played in Perth, a 38-6 victory in 2019 followed by a 44-12 thumping in 2022 in the latest match at Optus Stadium.
I’m backing a blowout win for the Blues with plenty of tries rolling in on the fast track in Perth. After watching Game 1, Zac Lomax is the prime target on 5th tackle tackle and if there are tries you know the NSW winger will be in the mix. The roughie is Hudson Young, he impact off the bench was influential and considering his try scoring form in club footy for the Raiders it is a surprise he has snagged a meat pie already in his 4 appearances for the Blues.
- NSW have won 6 of the last 7 Game 2’s with 5 of the results being by a margin of 20+ points.
- NSW have scored an average of 31 points in their past 6 Game 2’s including an average of 41 points in their two matches played at Perth Stadium.
- The NSW Blues backs combined for 4 linebreaks to QLD’s one in Game 1.
- Zac Lomax has scored 5 tries in 4 Origin games
- Hudson Young has 10 tries in 13 matches this season for Canberra
Head to Head Form & Betting Trends
The 2024 Series was won by NSW 2-1 clinching games 2 and 3 in dominant fashion after being blown out in Game 2. The series win snapped a streak of 2 series wins for the Maroons.
QLD lead the overall series H2H 24-17 with 2 series being drawn. The Maroons also hold an advantage in game wins 70-61 with 2 games ending in a draw.
The Blues have won 6 of the last 7 Game 2’s
NSW have won their last two Game 2’s when taking the opening match of the series.
NSW have won both matches played at Perth Stadium.
QLD Maroons Form Analysis
The Queenslander fell hard in the opening match of the series and have been forced to rethink their structure, especially in attack.
Their forward pack was outmuscled and their backs did not have the same influence on the match in their own end as the NSW Blues back 5. When Queensland got their few chances at attacking the NSW line, there was a real sense of a lack of creativity and direction, which is poor considering the amount of guns they have.
The halves partnership of Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans did not do the job with the latter paying the ultimate price for their poor performance.
The Maroons looked most dangerous when they moved the ball wide early, however, it still did not bear enough fruit, simply breaking the NSW line just once in the match and only scoring a try of a mistake at a scrum by the Blues.
QLD Maroons Team News
The most talked about change for the Maroon’s is the departure of QLD captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, being dropped after a lacklustre performance in Game 1, being replaced by bench utility Tom Dearden.
Patrick Carrigan moves to the bench with Trent Liero starting at lock, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow moves out to the wing with Valentine Holmes moving into the centres.
Kurt Mann has been rewarded for his form coming into the Queensland side in the No. 14 with Billy Slater opting for a versatile utility instead of another grunt forward.
Cameron Munster will now take over as the captain for the Maroons.
QLD Maroons Team List
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Xavier Coates
3. Robert Toia
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
6. Cameron Munster (c)
7. Tom Dearden
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Reuben Cotter
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Trent Loiero
Interchange
14. Kurt Mann
15. Lindsay Collins
16. Jeremiah Nanai
17. Patrick Carrigan
Reserves
18. Ezra Mam
19. Jack Howarth
20. Corey Horsburgh
NSW Blues Form Analysis
Despite the scoreline being within 12 points in Game 1, the NSW Blues dominated the match much more than the 18-6 result would suggest. The Blues scored 4 tries to one with goalkicking being the difference between a blowout and a tight contest.
The Blues pack dominated Queensland just as predicted by most experts heading into the opening match of the series. The strength of the bigs and also the work-rate of the NSW packs was a clear difference, tallying 328 more run metres in the match, along with 124 more post-contact metres and 30 more tackle busts.
In attack, the combination between new halves partners Nathan Cleary and Mitch Moses worked soundly, although that combination is expected to bloom for years to come. The plan was obvious, attack to the right especially hunting Zac Lomax through the air, which paid off nicely with the NSW winger collecting 2 tries.
NSW Blues Team News - Updated
Mitch Moses was forced to withdraw due to injury, Jarome Luai comes into the five-eighth jumper.
The only change for the Blues was a forced one with Mitch Barnett being ruled out for an extended period.
The prop’s injury will now see Max King promoted from the bench and Stefano Utoikamanu come into the side on the bench.
NSW Blues Team List
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Brian To'o
3. Stephen Crichton
4. Latrell Mitchell
5. Zac Lomax
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Max King
9. Reece Robson
10. Payne Haas
11. Liam Martin
12. Angus Crichton
13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange
14. Connor Watson
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Hudson Young
17. Stefano Utoikamanu
Reserves
18. Matt Burton
19. Keaon Koloamatangi
20. Lindsay Smith
QLD Maroons vs NSW Blues NRL 2025 State of Origin Game 2 FAQ’s
How to watch QLD Maroons vs NSW Blues NRL 2025 State of Origin Game 2?
You can watch the QLD Maroons vs NSW Blues NRL 2025 State of Origin Game 2 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.
How to buy tickets to QLD Maroons vs NSW Blues NRL 2025 State of Origin Game 2?
To buy tickets to the QLD Maroons vs NSW Blues NRL 2025 State of Origin Game 2 game check the NRL website or the official QLD Maroons site.
Verdict
A big win is on the cards for NSW, who are backed for a 13+ victory after scoring over 23.5 points in the match.
Zac Lomax is a given on the try scoring slate and Hudson Young is thrown in as a solid roughie off the bench for the Blues.
Zac Lomax is a given on the try scoring slate and Hudson Young is thrown in as a solid roughie off the bench for the Blues.
New South Wales
13+ Winning Margin
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