Stadium Australia will play host to Wednesday's Round 1 NRL game between New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons. The game kicks off at 8:10 pm with New South Wales Blues heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the New South Wales Blues vs. Queensland Maroons game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Wednesday June 8, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Where: Stadium Australia
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
New South Wales Blues vs Queensland Maroons Odds
New South Wales Blues vs Queensland Maroons Preview
NSW hosts the 2022 series opener, aiming to defend the title they won in devastating fashion in the first two games last year, 50-6 and 26-0, on Queensland soil.
But the Maroons were buoyed by a gritty dead-rubber victory, while the appointment of the legendary Billy Slater as coach – with the likes of Cam Smith and Johnathan Thurston among his right-hand men – has energised the underdogs from north of the border.
Brad Fittler’s backline selections raised a few eyebrows.
A mainstay and prolific try-scorer of the past four series, Josh Addo-Carr was dumped in favour of Roosters beanpole winger Daniel Tupou. The contentious centre spots went to Brisbane enigma Kotoni Staggs and Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton, with Penrith’s Stephen Crichton to debut off the bench.
It certainly doesn’t have the same aura as a three-quarter contingent containing Latrell or Turbo.
But the Blues’ 2021 series-winning spine is intact and the pack mostly picked itself, though Tariq Sims was perhaps lucky to get a second-row spot ahead of Tyson Frizell and Angus Chrichton. Ryan Matterson will debut off a young bench.
Queensland has new faces but few surprises. Debutants Selwyn Cobbo, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Patrick Carrigan demanded selection. Virtually every other Maroon has proven themselves at Origin level.
Kalyn Ponga may have had a scratchy start to 2022, but Cam Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans are in peak form. Ben Hunt’s selection at hooker is an interesting one, but Harry Grant is an explosive proposition off the bench.
NSW has won the last three Sydney-hosted Origins. The most recent clash, the Blues’ 34-10 blowout victory during the unique 2020 series, was the first at ANZ (now Accor) Stadium decided by more than 10 points since 2004 – a run of 19 tight games. Twelve of those featured margins of five or less.
The last two Sydney showdowns also produced totals of 44-plus; the previous 10 saw a maximum of 34 points scored, with five witnessing totals of 22 or less. The total line is set at a low 36.5 points but the under still looks to be the play with 11 of the last 16 Origins overall producing 34 or less.
The Blues will be keenly aware of the importance of this showdown – this is their only home game of the series and they’ve only won two series in the last 27 years after dropping game one…and both of those were at Suncorp Stadium, with a fixture in Sydney later in the rubber to look forward to.
The Penrith connection that runs through the NSW line-up is a significant advantage, though there’s a similar Melbourne thread running through the Melbourne team sheet.
Queensland has had a patched-together look since their posse of future Immortals retired. But this looks the most even Origin on paper in years with a nice mix of wily experience and dynamic youth – all boasting tremendous NRL form – on the Maroons’ side of the fence.
The Blues’ best should be too good, but there’s a sense of vulnerability around them heading into this series and there’s no obvious areas where they can lay claim to a genuine advantage over their Maroons, who shape as a solid option to cover on Wednesday night.
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Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Queensland Maroons to win at $2.40 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Xavier Coates at $10.50.