Queensland v New South Wales: State of Origin 2 preview

Queensland are fighting to keep the State of Origin season alive when they take on New South Wales on Wednesday in Perth.

New South Wales lead 1-0 after defeating Queensland in their own backyard, and are now the hot fancies to win back-to-back series.

The Blues have won the two previous Origin matches in Perth, and the Maroons have it all to do to turn the series around.

Billy Slater’s side fell well below the standards expected of them in game one, and are sure to come out fighting at Optus Stadium.

However it has been suggested that New South Wales still have a couple of gears they can shift into and will be difficult to stop.

Once again the rivalry out on the pitch will be fierce, and a packed out Optus Stadium should be in for a treat.

Queensland v New South Wales betting preview

Maroons drop DCE

Queensland coach Billy Slater has made the controversial call to drop skipper Daly Cherry-Evans as they fight to level the series.

Cherry-Evans makes way for Tom Dearden, who will partner new captain Cameron Munster in the halves. It is a huge decision by Slater, but one he truly believes is the best way forward for his side.

The Maroons forwards were outplayed in game one, and Slater has also taken action on that front by bringing Kurt Capewell into the pack.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has also switched to the wing, with Valentine Holmes moving to centre.

Tabuai-Fidow has scored nine tries in eight Origin matches, and can be backed at 2.30 to grab another at anytime.

Queensland have yet to beat New South Wales in Perth, and if they are to end the Optus hoodoo, it is likely to be tight.

The Maroons can be backed at 4.00 to win the game by 1-12 points.

Duo out for Blues

New South Wales are forced into a couple of changes after Mitchell Moses and Mitch Barnett picked up injuries.

The Blues should not be hampered too much however as Jarome Luai comes into the halves to be reunited with Nathan Cleary.

Max King also comes into the starting line-up to replace Barnett, as New South Wales look to build on the game one win.

New South Wales have won four of the last five Origin encounters, but the biggest winning margin in three of the wins was just 14 points.

They can be backed at 2.60 to win by 1-12 on Wednesday night, or 2.75 to win by 13+ points.

Zac Lomax was in top form when bagging a couple of tries in the 18-6 win at Suncorp Stadium in game one.

The winger can be backed at 1.87 to score another at anytime.

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Queensland v New South Wales odds

Queensland - 2.90
New South Wales - 1.42

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.