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State of Origin Game 2 Tips & Preview - NSW Blues to seal series against Queensland Maroons

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: 11 Jun 2025

Jeremy Darke 11 Jun 2025

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QLD Maroons vs NSW Blues expert predictions for Wednesday’s State of Origin Game 2 NRL game
NSW secured a dominant 18-6 win in Game 1, despite the close scoreline
Blues favored for a 13+ points victory and scoring over 23.5 points

Expired

New South Wales to take Game 2 (Getty Images)

Queensland Maroons vs New South Wales Blues Preview

New South Wales' dominance in the opening game of the series was larger than the 18-6 scoreline would suggest. I'm backing them to be more emphatic as they secure the second successive series win.

Queensland Maroons vs New South Wales Blues Preview
Head to Head Form & Betting Trends
Queensland Maroons Form
Queensland Maroons Team News
Queensland Maroons Team List
New South Wales Blues Form
New South Wales Blues Team News
NSW Blues Team List

NSW have won 6 of the last 7 Game 2 matches 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 games 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 two series wins for the Maroons.

QLD lead the overall series H2H 24-17 with two series being drawn. The Maroons also hold an advantage in game wins 70-61 with two games ending in a draw.

The Blues have won six of the last seven Game 2 clashes.

NSW have also won their last two Game 2s when taking the opening match of the series.

NSW have won both matches played at Perth Stadium.

Queensland Maroons Form

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 five.

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.

Queensland 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.

Queensland 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

New South Wales Blues Form

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 four 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.

New South Wales Blues Team News

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. Mitchell Moses

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

Verdict

2025 State of Origin Game 2

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.

New South Wales

13+ Winning Margin

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NSW Over 23.5

Team Total

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Zac Lomax

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Hudson Young

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