This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or click on a date below

Friday 29
Saturday 30
Sunday 1
Monday 2
Tuesday 3
Wednesday 4
Thursday 5
Friday 6
Saturday 7
Sunday 8
Monday 9

State of Origin 2023 Tips & Series Preview - Munster Magic to win Queensland the series

By Ryan Tucker

28 May 2023

Ryan Tucker 28 May 2023

Share this article

New South Wales Blues vs Queensland Maroons predictions for the 2023 State of Origin
Queensland lead head to head series 22-16-2
Can Queensland retain the shield once again?

Expired

Who will win State of Origin 2023? (Getty Images)

State of Origin 2023 Preview

The 2023 State of Origin series is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated clashes in many years with plenty of chatter around key selections for both teams.

The big news out of the Blues camp ahead of Game 1 is the inclusion of Nicho Hynes on the interchange bench as Nathan Cleary’s partner in crime at Penrith Jarome Luai retains the five-eighth spot. Also the fitness of flyer Tom Trbojevic will be closely looked at, as the Manly fullback has not looked 100 percent all season.

For the Maroons it is certainly the decision of Billy Slater to start debutant Reece Walsh at fullback, leaving out 2022 Man of the Match Kalyn Ponga from the side. Also the absence of centre Dane Gagai from the QLD squad has come under some scrutiny after the Maroons legend was replaced by scintillating Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Both teams head into the series with in-form forward packs, NSW being led by Payne Haas, who is having one of the best seasons by a prop forward in recent times, while all eyes will be on the return of David Fifita in the second row for QLD. Fifita has been in career best form for the Titans to start 2023, eating up run metres and crossing for multiple tries.

The battle of the packs will be the driving shaft for victory this year and whichever team can win the territorial battle and overpower their opponents in the middle, will be well on their way to the series victory.

Coaches Brad Fittler and Billy Slater will have their work cut out for them in what is predicted to be a close series. The coach who loses Game 1 will need to make adjustments to ensure a Game 2 win, keeping the series alive.

Fittler is now a veteran at this level entering his 6th year as Blues coach, he has though been criticised in recent years for left field player selections which ultimately make or break a game. With the wealth of talent at his disposal, especially in the backline, it is not an easy job to satisfy everyone. The record though speaks for itself and Fittler is currently 3-2 in series wins since taking over from Laurie Daley.

On the other side of the ledger Billy Slater is not only a newcomer to the Origin coaching scene but to head coaching in general. After a stellar playing career totalling 31 Origin games, Slater transitioned into advisory roles but had never held a top level head coaching role before being named as Maroons coach prior to the 2022 series.

The rookie head coach was very open about his experience and made key appointments on his coaching staff to ensure all bases were covered. It did the job with Queensland taking the series 2-1 a year ago.

State of Origin 2023 Tips

Series Winner - Queensland 2-1

The 2023 State of Origin is going to be another tough tug-of-war battle in the biggest rivalry in Australia sport. We are predicting that Queensland will take the series victory in 2023, retaining the State of Origin Shield.

Queensland have picked their squad on form and they will reap the benefits of that throughout this series. We can expect that Queensland coach Billy Slater will be able to adapt his tactics to each game throughout the series, as he did in his maiden SOO in 2022 keeping him unbeaten in a series as coach of Queensland.

Cameron Munster and Dailey Cherry-Evans will prove to be the perfect halves combination once again, controlling the Blues with their kicking game and breaking them apart when the opportunity arises.

The Blues forwards may have the upper-hand over the Maroons initially but as the series wears on we can expect the momentum to shift towards the Queenslanders.

Series Leading Try Scorer

QLD Selwyn Cobbo

Selwyn Cobbo’s connection with Reece Walsh at fullback is going to see the Broncos pair light up the Origin stage, just as they have done for Brisbane. We can expect to see some spectacular tries from Cherbourgh born winger, just as we did in the Indigenous All Stars game at the beginning of the year, where he scored a hat-trick of tries from all areas of the field.

NSW Latrell Mitchell

It would not surprise anyone if Latrell Mitchell took out the series leading try scorer crown with the Souths fullback scoring nine tries in his last seven games this season.

In his seven origin games for New South Wales, Mitchell has scored 6 times and we certainly expect him to add to that tally considerably in 2023. Being in arguably his career best form in 2023 we can expect the Taree terror to be involved in plenty of attack on the QLD line.

Wally Lewis Medal Winner

Cameron Munster

If Queensland win the series it is going to be on the back of the inability of New South Wales being able to control the unpredictability of Cameron Munster.

The Melbourne five-eight has a knack of breaking the game open with an unexpected play while creating things out of nothing.

Munster will need to be at his creative best with the ball in hand and if he can be the catalyst for the Queensland attack, he will lead the Maroons to victory.

Latrell Mitchell

Latrell Mitchell may arguably be the best player in the game at the moment, if not, at least the most influential game changer when he is in the mood for a big performance. Latrell is yet to put his stamp on origin footy, but 2023 certainly feels like his year.

He comes into the Origin series in 2023 being involved in 17 tries for Souths with nine tries and eight try assists. If New South Wales win the series we can expect that the involvement and influence of Latrell Mitchell in all three games will be at a premium.

Verdict

State of Origin 2023 Series

Our top tips for State of Origin 2023 are:

Queensland 2-1

Series Correct Score

@37/20 - 1 Unit

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Bet at bet365

Josh Addo-Carr

Top Series Tryscorer

@6/1 - 1 Unit

£25

with promo code NEWBONUS

Join betgoodwin with promo code NEWBONUS and get access to their £25 loss back offer. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Betgoodwin

Selwyn Cobbo

Top Series Tryscorer

@8/1 - 1 Unit

T&Cs apply. Over 18s only. Gambleaware.org