Fox League’s experts have had their say on who will win State of Origin Game II.
According to the majority of 14 journalists and former players, the Blues will clinch the series but when it comes to man of the match, Nathan Cleary and Kalyn Ponga are the overwhelming choices.
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LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the build-up and live action from Origin Game 2
START TIME: What time will Game 2 actually start?
Read on for Fox League’s Expert Game 2 predictions!
MATTY JOHNS
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: Blues to win. The Moses & Cleary combination will lead us to series victory in Melbourne.
FINAL SCORE: NSW 28 – 18 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: Two tries between Cleary & Moses.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Nathan Cleary
COOPER CRONK
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: QLD win because they have to! Just find a way to win!
FINAL SCORE: NSW 20 – 24 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: Another controversial moment, this time a NSW player sent to the sin bin and QLD take advantage.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Reuben Cotter
LUKE KEARY
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: The Blues will be better out of the blocks but in the end QLD will beat them on the edges to level up the series.
FINAL SCORE: NSW 18 – 24 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: Selwyn Cobbo to score two tries.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Kalyn Ponga
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MICHAEL ENNIS
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: The Blues will be too good in Melbourne. QLD’s MCG drought to continue.
FINAL SCORE: NSW 28 – 20 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: The injection of Koroisau will ignite the NSW attack in the second half and lead them to victory.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Payne Haas
NATHAN HINDMARSH
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: NSW to win. Our number nines will prove the difference. Robson’s toughness & durability and Api’s lethal ability to run the ball & isolate tired defenders.
FINAL SCORE: NSW 19 – 18 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: Ethan Strange to be injected off the bench late in the game and kick the winning field goal.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Hudson Young
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BRYAN FLETCHER
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: NSW. Two reasons. 1: Our fitness. 2: We learnt a lot in game. We won’t make the same mistakes again.
FINAL SCORE: NSW 24 – 12 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: Dylan Lucas first try scorer.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Dylan Lucas
BEN ELIAS:
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: These sides are so evenly matched. It will be a tough contest but in the end I think tonight will end in a draw.
FINAL SCORE: NSW 18 – 18 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: Big injuries coming out of the game due to the physical way it will be played.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Mitch Moses
DEAN ‘BULLDOG’ RITCHIE
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: NSW by 12. Stand by for some Marky Mark magic in what will be NSW’s most dominant performance since 2024. Then we just wait for the tears and excuses to roll across the border from up north.
FINAL SCORE: NSW 28 – 16 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: Lozza to seal a historic series win and then gleefully jam his long line of critics.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Nathan Cleary
GREG ALEXANDER:
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: Blues WILL hold the ball. Addition of Haas provides momentum for Cleary & Moses to create opportunities which they will convert into points.
FINAL SCORE: NSW 28 – 24 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: Tolu Koula first try scorer
MAN OF THE MATCH: Nathan Cleary
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STEVE ‘BLOCKER’ ROACH
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: Blues get their start right and grind out a win in Melbourne.
FINAL SCORE: NSW 18 – 14 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: Strange to make immediate impact off the bench with a try-scoring play.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Hudson Young
BILLY MOORE
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: Its simple really – QLD-retribution!!!
FINAL SCORE: NSW 16 – 20 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: Reece Walsh off the bench scores winning try via a Kalyn Ponga assist!
MAN OF THE MATCH: Harry Grant
BRENT READ
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: The Blues got lucky in Origin I with the send off of Kalyn Ponga. They won’t get lucky again. QLD to win.
FINAL SCORE: NSW 10 – 30 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: The Blues make another slow start but this time there is no coming back. The Maroons surge to a big lead at halftime and then Reece Walsh comes off the bench and puts NSW to the sword.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Kalyn Ponga
MICHAEL CARAYANNIS
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: Queensland. They have picked a better-balanced team and Kalyn Ponga will tip the game in the Maroons’ favour off the back of the drama in game one.
FINAL SCORE: NSW 22 – 26 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: The demotion of Haumole Olakau’atu will come back to haunt the Blues with the Manly back-rower rushed back into the side for the decider.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Kalyn Ponga
PAUL CRAWLEY
WHO WINS GAME TWO & WHY: Queensland – more desperate playing to keep series alive and surely won’t get a player sent off this time.
FINAL SCORE: NSW 24 – 26 QLD
BOLD PREDICTION: Reece Walsh to enter the game late and set up winning try.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Harry Grant