No Lockyer, no worries: Blues still Origin roughies

Peter Cassidy | rugbyleaguelive.com | 13/05/08 | 0

AUDIO - The Origin rundown with Glenn Munsie

They might be without key playmakers Darren Lockyer and Scott Prince but the Queenslanders have opened as firm $1.75 favourites to beat NSW in the first Origin game at ANZ Stadium.

TAB Sportsbet have NSW listed as $2.05 outsiders.

Queensland has started favourite with TAB Sportsbet in only three State of Origin series opening matches since 1999.

Interestingly, they lost two of those matches. (Game 1 2003 - QLD lost 25-12; Game 1 2006 - QLD lost 17-16; Game 1 2007 - QLD won 25-18).

Despite two of the three Origin matches being played in NSW this year, Queensland are still $1.70 favourites to claim the 2008 series, with NSW posted at $2.10.

In another interesting stat for punters, Queensland has played 12 State Of Origin matches in Sydney since 1999 - winning just one, drawing another and losing ten.
 
2008 State of Origin – game one winner
$2.05 New South Wales
$1.75 Queensland
 
2008 State of Origin – series winner
$2.10 New South Wales
$1.70 Queensland

Meanwhile, Queensland debutant Israel Folau is the market leader to become the State of Origin leading try scorer, according to Sportingbet Australia.

CEO Michael Sullivan has posted the teen sensation at $5 and says he has size on his side, to complement his outstanding skills.

"Folau is on the end of the more dangerous backline and playing on the wing, he will be climbing all over the Blues smaller outside backs," Sullivan said.
 
2008 State of Origin Series Leading Tryscorer

Sportingbet Australia

Israel Folau [QLD] 5.00     

Jarryd Hayne [NSW] 6.50     

Billy Slater [QLD] 6.50     

Greg Inglis [QLD] 6.50     

Justin Hodges [QLD] 6.50     

Brett Stewart [NSW] 7.00     

Mark Gasnier [NSW] 8.00     

Brent Tate [QLD] 8.00     

Anthony Quinn [NSW] 10.00     

Matt Cooper [NSW] 13.00     

Karmichael Hunt [QLD] 15.00     

Ben Hornby [NSW] 26.00     

Johnathan Thurston [QLD] 26.00

Folau is on the end of the more dangerous backline and playing on the wing, he will be climbing all over the Blues smaller outside backs... Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan