<p>After an implosion for the ages in the opening game of this year’s State of Origin series, the New South Wales Blues once again have it all to do to keep their hopes of lifting the shield alive.</p> <p>There have been mass changes south of the border, while the Maroons, one up on the scoreboard, remain cool, calm and collected.</p> <p>As the cauldron of State of Origin Game 2 begins to bubble and the war of words between both states breaks out, it’s time to look ahead to June 26 and try to decipher just what will play out on the turf of the MCG.</p> <p>For the latest news, lineups, odds, predictions and betting tips for this do-or-die encounter, check out our State of Origin Game 2 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>State of Origin Game 2 Team Lists</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Queensland Maroons</h3> <p>Once again Queensland present a settled and united front after claiming a comprehensive victory in Game 1.</p> <p>Billy Slater has only made two changes to his side which beat NSW 38-10 in Sydney three weeks ago.</p> <p>Young Selwyn Cobbo is given a rest from his utility duties as the more experienced Kurt Capewell comes onto the bench and Parramatta’s J’maine Hopgood is out injured, so veteran hitman Felise Kaufusi also joins the pine.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>1.&nbsp; &nbsp; Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)</p> <p>2.&nbsp; &nbsp; Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)</p> <p>3.&nbsp; &nbsp; Valentine Holmes (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>4.&nbsp; &nbsp; Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (The Dolphins)</p> <p>5.&nbsp; &nbsp; Murray Tualagi (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>6.&nbsp; &nbsp; Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>7.&nbsp; &nbsp; Daly Cherry-Evans © (Manly Sea Eagles)</p> <p>8.&nbsp; &nbsp; Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>9.&nbsp; &nbsp; Ben Hunt (St George Illawarra Dragons)</p> <p>10. &nbsp; Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)</p> <p>11. &nbsp; Jayden Su’A (Brisbane Broncos)</p> <p>12. &nbsp; Jerimiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>13. &nbsp; Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)</p> <p>14. &nbsp; Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)</p> <p>15. &nbsp; Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans)</p> <p>16. &nbsp; Felise Kaufusi (The Dolphins)</p> <p>17. &nbsp; Kurt Capewell (New Zealand Warriors)</p> <p>18. Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)</p> <p>19. Heilum Luki (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>20. Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm)</p>

<h3>New South Wales Blues</h3> <p>Staring down another series defeat, NSW have done what NSW do best – make mass changes to their team.</p> <p>In an effort to save the series Michael Maguire has swung the axe, bringing in Mitchell Moses, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray and Connor Watson.</p> <p>Panthers’ fullback Dylan Edwards will also finally make his debut, coming in for James Tedesco after Teddy had to step in for him at the last minute due to injury.</p> <p>Meet the Mitchell’s - the Blues biggest inclusions for State of Origin Game 2. Both Moses and Latrell have been in fine form for their respective clubs and now have the hopes of an entire state on their shoulders. Can they deliver? Watch this space.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>1.&nbsp; &nbsp; Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>2.&nbsp; &nbsp; Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>3.&nbsp; &nbsp; Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bulldogs)</p> <p>4.&nbsp; &nbsp; Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs)</p> <p>5.&nbsp; &nbsp; Zac Lomax (St George Illawarra Dragons)</p> <p>6.&nbsp; &nbsp; Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>7.&nbsp; &nbsp; Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)</p> <p>8.&nbsp; &nbsp; Jake Trbojevic © (Manly Sea Eagles)</p> <p>9.&nbsp; &nbsp; Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>10.&nbsp; Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)</p> <p>11.&nbsp; Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>12.&nbsp; Angus Chrichton (Sydney Roosters)</p> <p>13.&nbsp; Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)</p> <p>14. Connor Watson (Sydney Roosters)</p> <p>15. Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>16. Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Sea Eagles)</p> <p>17.&nbsp; Spencer Leniu (Sydney Roosters)</p> <p>18. Mitchell Barnett (New Zealand Warriors)</p> <p>19. Cameron McInnes (Cronulla Sharks)</p> <p>20. Luke Keary (Sydney Roosters)</p>

<h2>State of Origin Game 2 Predictions and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head (H2H)</h3> <p>Yes, the Maroons towelled up the Blues in Game 1, in NSW no less, but they did of course play nearly the entirety of the match against a side down a man.</p> <p>There was even a period of the second half where NSW got well and truly back in the game despite having Joseph Sua’ali’I sent off in the eighth minute.</p> <p>The Blues also seem to have a knack of winning Game 2’s with ease to fill their supporters with false hope before their annual mauling at Suncorp Stadium.</p> <p>On the neutral turf of the MCG, we are backing the Blues to force a decider down at Lang Park.</p> <p><strong>Predicted winner:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/state-of-origin/new-south-wales-v-queensland-8301541">New South Wales.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer</h3> <p>There are enticing options for each state in this market. For the Blues it’s impossible not to back the mercurial Latrell Micthell who lives for moments like this. Back in form and back in the side with everything on the line, the script is written for barnstorming Bunny.</p> <p>For the Maroons, there will be one man keen to score more than most. After being knocked out by a horror tackle in the infancy of Game 1, Reece Walsh is back on deck and surely desperate to stick it to the Cockroaches.</p> <p>As one of the most explosive and elusive players in the competition he’s good for a meat pie most weeks, let alone when he’s got a score to settle.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/state-of-origin/new-south-wales-v-queensland-8301541">Latrell Micthell or Reece Walsh first try scorer.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under</h3> <p>Game 1 saw the over in this market get eclipsed by a decent margin, however remember it was 13 vs 12 for most of the match.</p> <p>We are assuming both sides are going to tread a lot more carefully in this one, particularly NSW, who have everything to lose.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>We’re tipping a more cagey affair to play out at the unfamiliar surrounds of the MCG.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/state-of-origin/new-south-wales-v-queensland-8301541">Under total match points (37.5)</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>State of Origin Guide 2024 – Game 2</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>MCG, Melbourne, Victoria.</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Wednesday, June 26, 2024.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off time: </strong>8:05pm AEST.</p>