After the New South Wales Blues upset the Queensland Maroons in the first game of this year’s Women’s State of Origin, the girls from the Sunshine State must now fight to keep the series alive, away from home.
Game two is set to be played south of the border in Newcastle, with the Blues entering this clash as the deserving favourites after their 22-12 victory at Suncorp Stadium three weeks ago.
Can the Maroons upset their inter-state rivals to keep the series, as well as their quest for consecutive Origin shields alive? Or will the Blues seal the deal in front of their home fans?
For the latest news, lineups, odds, predictions and betting tips for this do-or-die encounter, check out our Women’s State of Origin predictions and Game 2 betting tips below.
Women’s State of Origin Team Lists
Queensland Maroons
With the series on the line, Queensland mentor Tahnee Norris has made mass changes to her side for Game 2.
The biggest change sees skipper Ali Brigginshaw return to the No.7 jersey from lock. That means Zahara Temara goes to the reserves and Sienna Lofipo comes into the side to wear the No.13 jersey.
Elsewhere in the side, Lauren Brown has been selected at centre for Evania Pelite who has been moved to the wing to cover for the injured Emily Bass.
1. Tamika Upton
2. Julia Robinson
3. Shenae Ciesiolka
4. Lauren Brown
5. Evania Pelite
6. Tarryn Aiken
7. Ali Brigginshaw
8. Shannon Mato
9. Destiny Brill
10. Jessika Elliston
11. Tazmin Rapana
12. Romy Teitzel
13. Sienna Lofipo
14. Emma Manzelmann
15. Makenzie Weale
16. Sophie Holyman
17. Emmanita Paki
New South Wales Blues
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. After her side’s dominant display in game one, Blues head coach Kylie Hilder has unsurprisingly named the same 17 that got the job done at Lang Park.
1. Emma Tonegato
2. Jamie Chapman
3. Jessica Sergis
4. Isabelle Kelly
5. Tiana Penitani
6. Corban Baxter
7. Rachel Pearson
8. Millie Elliot
9. Olivia Higgins
10. Caitlan Johnston
11. Kezie Apps
12. Yasmin Clydsdale
13. Keeley Davis
14. Taliah Fuimaono
15. Olivia Kernick
16. Grace Kemp
17. Sarah Togatuki
Women’s State of Origin Predictions & Betting Tips
Head-to-Head (H2H)
The Maroons are currently giving up over 1.00 in the H2H market, as the Blues enter this clash as the strong favourites.
The Maroons have only won one of the four Origin games they have played in New South Wales, meaning they face an uphill battle to keep the series alive.
After their 22-12 win in the series opener at Lang Park, which saw them make six line breaks compared to their opponents one, the smart money is to back NSW to finish the job and win Game 2 in front of their own fans.
Predicted winner: New South Wales.
First Try Scorer
There are a couple of enticing candidates in the first try scorer market to consider for Women’s State of Origin Game 2.
Queensland fullback Tamika Upton is one of the bona fide superstars of the women’s game and has two tries in her past three Origin games.
While she firms as a worthy pick for this market, we are instead tipping New South Wales winger Tiana Penitani to be the first to cross the stripe in this one.
She has proven to be prolific at this level and at the time of writing is paying 12.00 to be the one to open the scoring, which is fantastic value for someone playing on the wing.
Betting tip: Tiana Penitani.
Over/Under
If NSW get off to a fast start this could be a blue blowout that exceeds the over in the total match points market.
That being said, we expect the Maroons to defend desperately in an attempt to keep the series alive.
While we do expect them to taste defeat on the road, we think they’ll do enough to stop the bleeding as much as possible and ensure that the total match points in this one remains under 36.5.
Betting tip: Under total match points (36.5).
Women’s State of Origin Game 2 Match Details
Location: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, NSW.
Date: Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Kick off time: 7:45pm AEST.