State of Origin Game 2 Man of the Match Tips - Who will be best on ground in Origin 2?

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: 19 Jun 2023

Ryan Tucker 19 Jun 2023

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State of Origin Game 2 kicks off on Wednesday, June 21
Who will be named Man of the Match in Game 2?
Our best on ground selections are below

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James Tedesco is one of our three picks (Getty Images)

Game 1 saw Rueben Cotter take the honour of Man of the Match, after putting in an inhumane performance with 85 Run Metres and 48 Tackles.

It was the way he went about his work that made the difference for Queensland doing those one percenters, like diving on loose balls and getting under the skin of the Blues that won him the MOTM.

Game 2 is a new kettle of fish and a big performance from NSW will be needed if they are any hope of keeping this series alive. Will it be a veteran that makes the big play or will it be a newcomer that puts on a show and leads his state to victory?

Three players stand out as best bets for Man of the Match in State of Origin Game 2.

Key Stats

Since 2017, 7 forwards, 5 fullbacks, 5 halves and 2 centres have won the MOTM honours.
Over the last 6 years, a New South Welshman has won Man of the Match in Game 2 on all 6 occasions.
Of the current players James Tedesco has won MOTM 4 times, while Nathan Cleary (2) and Cameron Munster (2) are the only other players selected that have won the award multiple times
Only once in the NRL era has a player from the losing team received MOTM - Josh Jackson in 2017

Mitch Moses

If NSW are to win Game 2 and keep the series alive Mitchell Moses is going to have to prove Freddy Fittler out to be a genius and put in a Man of the Match Performance.

The Parramatta halfback comes in for the injured Nathan Cleary after plenty of media speculation on who should fill the No.7 jersey.

Moses has been the standout for the Eels all season long and his similar playing style to Cleary will help him slot into the halfback spot and the NSW system with ease.

Moses' kicking game will have to be on point if they are to keep the pressure on QLD. If his attacking kicks and game management is at its best Moses it will be the key to a NSW victory.

Cameron Munster

For his standard, Cameron Munster had a “quiet” Game 1, which is scary for NSW.

The QLD five-eighth scored the match sealing try, assisted the all important first try of the game and also made the play that put Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in space down the left touchline to score the go-ahead try, but yes it was a quiet game otherwise for Munster.

QLD are going to be going for the jugular from the get go at Suncorp and if there is anyone that loves to put his opponent to the sword, especially a cockroach, it is Munster.

If this game goes the way many punters see it and the Maroons win 13+, I expect Munster to be in the thick of things on Wednesday.

James Tedesco

The NSW Blues fearless leader James Tedesco has been under the pump leading up to Game 2 with many experts in the media saying that he should get the chop. They are out of their minds. If anyone is going to stand up for NSW when they need it most it's Teddy, his blood is blue.

All you have to do is see what he is doing at the Roosters this season. Easts haven’t been in good form but the man trying to pull them out of their slump is Tedesco.

In his last 3 games for the Roosters Tedesco has 5 Tries, 2 Try Assists and 4 linebreaks on top of averaging 182 Run Metres per game. That is not to mention that he topped the Run Metres column in Game 1.

Tedesco has also been named Man of the Match 3 times previously, Game 2 in 2021, Game 3 2019 and Game 1 2018. Another MOTM medal wouldn’t look out of place in the NSW captain’s pool room.

Verdict

Queensland v New South Wales

I predict Game 2 is going to be a battle in the trenches as it was in Game 1, but it will be the playmakers that find their form and break this game open in whichever way the footy Gods decide.

Will it be an old dog like Munster or Tedesco or will Moses take his chance in the Blues jersey and tie this series up?