In a beautiful State Of Origin send off for retiring warhorse Petero Civoniceva the home squad held on until the very end with a deft field goal from hero halfback Cooper Cronk from 40-metres out sealing the deal with four minutes left on the clock.

Punters that had the $7 favourite JT for Man of the Match at bookmaker.com.au cleaned up last night!

Mal Meninga-coached winners proved themselves once and for all as the best Queensland Maroons team in Origin history and came one year closer to Meninga’s prediction of 10 straight series wins.

“It is a special win,” Meninga said.

“The first thing I want to say is what a champion football side. To win seven in a row, it takes something special.

“You have to understand the enormity of the challenge, going in every time as favourites, trying to keep that winning streak going. It takes a lot of effort. Because of that effort we’re in there celebrating.”

First points posted were by the Blues with Todd Carney’s successful penalty kick seven minutes into the do-or-die decider.

The Cockroaches were also first to score a four-pointer with flying winger Brett Morris, included in Game 3 at the expense of Akuila Uate, got over 12 minutes in to give them an eight nil advantage.

Queensland fought back with Darius Boyd crossing seven minutes later before the Cowboys’ Johnathan Thurston, whose exceptional 80-minute performance earned him Man of the Match honours and saw him equal the record with 24 consecutive games for the Maroons, scoring a well-deserved 32^nd minute try which he then converted to take Queensland to a 10 – 8 lead.

Just to give the home crowd something to cheer about before half-time Justin Hodges went over again just three minutes later for what would turn out to be the Maroon’s final try of the evening.

They headed to the sheds eight points clear of the Blues.

In the second half the boys from the other side of the Tweed showed they weren’t going to give up another series easily, Brett Stewart first to score in the 47^th minute, Carney’s successful conversion making it a two point game.

Two penalty kicks from JT in the 51^st and 64^th minute off Blues errors however saw the eventual winners soar ahead again, the scoreboard now at 19 – 14.

Then with only 10 minutes left of the game the other Morris brother Josh matched the performance of his identical twin with his own New South Wales try, converted by Carney, tied the match 20 all and had every footy fan on the edge of their seats.

Cronk eventually put everyone out of their misery with his match-winning kick.

“You don’t really think too much. The clock’s winding down,” Cronk said of the kick.

“It’s why you do the practice, I think.”

How did you 2012 State of Origin bets go?

Whether you cleaned up or have been left a little short, it’s time to get back into the NRL Telstra Premiership betting action this weekend as we move into Round 18.

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2012 State of Origin Game 3 Results & Match Break Down

Score: QLD 21 – 20 NSW

Man of the Match: Johnathan Thurston (QLD)

Man of the Series (Wally Lewis Medal): Nate Myles (QLD)

Tries –  

• QLD: Darius Boyd (19min), Johanthan Thurston (32min), Justin Hodges (35min)
• NSW: Brett Morris (12min), Brett Stewart (47min), Josh Morris (70min)

Conversions –

• QLD: Johanthan Thurston (33min & 37min)
• NSW: Todd Carney (14min, 48min & 71min)

Penalty Goals –

• QLD: Johanthan Thurston (51min & 64min)
• NSW: Todd Carney (7min)

Field Goals –  

• QLD: Cooper Cronk (75min)

Completions –

• QLD: 30/35
• NSW: 28/34

Metres Run –

• QLD: 1460m
• Best Player QLD: Greg Inglis (212m)
• NSW: 1287m
• Best Player NSW: Brett Morris (164m)

Tackles –

• QLD: 335
• Best Player QLD: Corey Parker (42 tackles)
• NSW: 335
• Best Player/s NSW: Paul Gallen & Robbie Farah (54 tackles each)

After going down to the New South Wales Blues in Sydney for Game 2 the mighty Queensland Maroons, coached by the legendary Mal Meninga, will be fighting for bragging rights for an incredible seventh straight series.

State of Origin Best Bet: We are tipping a close one so back Queensland to win by 1 – 12 points @ $2.75 through bookmaker.com.au!

Queensland win tonight in front of a big home crowd at Suncorp Stadium and they enter the history books surpassing their own record of consecutive State of Origin series wins.

On paper the cane toads have it all – the size, experience, history.

But on the other side of the field is a rejuvenated Blues outfit that has everything to prove tonight.

The New South Welshman need to prove they can break the Maroon’s stranglehold over the Origin arena and boost the morale of their dedicated fans from the other side of the Tweed.

The cockroaches are ready to invade and are going to come out hard and fast to try and beat Queensland with a blistering tempo.

Quick play-the-balls are going to be the name of New South Wales game and whether the home team can keep up is going to be key.

Along with just the title of seven series in a row Queensland are also looking for a fairytale State of Origin 2012 result tonight to farewell warhorse Petero Civoniceva who retires at the end of the season after 14 magic years.

Both teams are also going to have to work to cover injury losses with star Maroons fullback Billy Slater to be replaced by Greg Inglis, while the Blues are sure to miss smart back-rower Glenn Stewart.

History is firmly in favour of Queensland tonight with the Blues having only won a decider in Brisbane twice throughout State of Origin history.

Unsurprisingly then the visitors are the underdogs in the State of Origin betting markets paying $2.29 through bookmaker.com.au in their State of Origin odds.

Queensland are still good value for their fans at a quote of $1.64 to win.

Every real footy fan has a Win bet on their state tonight, but at bookmaker.com.au you can really clean up thanks to their range of other State of Origin betting markets that will have you hanging onto every second of the match.

See below for most popular State of Origin 2012 betting options.

These are just a sample of what’s available online at bookmaker.com.au.

Other exotic State of Origin betting markets to enjoy along with a meat pie and beer tonight include the First Tryscorer markets where Queensland’s big Greg Inglis is the $9 favourite, and Man of the Match where GI is co-$7 favourite with teammate Johnathan Thurston.

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2012 State of Origin Odds – Game 3

To Win –

• Queensland Maroons $1.64
• New South Wales Blues $2.29

Line –

• QLD – 4 @ $1.95
• NSW + 4 @ $2.29

Winning Margin -

• NSW 1 – 12 $3.25
• NSW 13 + $6.25
• Draw $23
• QLD 1 – 12 $2.75
• QLD 13+ $3.50

First Team to Score –

• QLD $1.80
• NSW $2

First to 10 Points –

• QLD $1.75
• NSW $2.10
• Neither Team to Score 10 Points $31

*All odds quoted are provided by bookmaker.com.au and are subject to change

Queensland will look to bounce back after a loss to the New South Wales Blues down in Sydney in Game 2 of the 2012 Harvey Norman State of Origin Series and post their incredible seventh straight series win with a victory in the third and final battle on July 4.

State of Origin odds for Game 3 are now out at bookmaker.com.au!

Game two was a brutal clash and the Maroons felt the pinch with ace fullback Billy Slater one of their big injury concerns.

Despite the sore knee that was originally set to see him miss up to another three weeks, Slater has been named in the Game 3 Queensland team, the Melbourne Storm star’s fitness pending.

“He ran yesterday, he was very upbeat, we are very hopeful but we can’t make any judgments just yet,” Maroons’ coach Mal Meninga said on Tuesday.

If he isn’t passed to play Greg Inglis is tipped to fill the Maroon’s No. 1 jersey.

Other players fighting to be fit ahead of game three for Queensland include Broncos’ skipper Sam Thaiday (shoulder) and fellow Brisbanite Justin Hodges (ribs).

Thaiday missed the second of the series but proved he was ready to fire in the Broncos’ important 26 – 12 victory over the Rabbitohs at Suncorp last Friday night.

The re-inclusion of Thaiday has seen monster Rabbitohs forward Dave Taylor dropped to the bench, but he could miss out completely with the extended roster.

Titans lock Ashley Harrison meanwhile was ruled out earlier in the week with a broken toe paving the way for Brisbane’s Corey Parker to get a run in the starting line-up for the first time in the Origin arena.

Players on the extended bench that are sitting in wait include the Cowboys fullback Matty Bowen, Broncos bolter Ben Te’o and Dane Nielsen who made their Origin debut just last year.

Bowen is also in the running with G.I. to score the coveted fullback position should Slater miss the match.

“We’ve got Matt (Bowen) here as well but we are in no hurry (to make a decision),” Meninga said in regards to the issue.

It will also be a milestone game for big Petero Civoniceva who says goodbye to the game at the end of the season.

Queensland are the dominant $1.60 favourites in the latest State of Origin odds at bookmaker.com.au, New South Wales the $2.35 underdogs to stop the mighty Maroons reign.

See below for the full 2012 State of Origin Game 3 Queensland team.

Click on the link for the complete 2012 State of Origin Game 3 New South Wales team.

Then head to bookmaker.com.au to get in on their exclusive State of Origin betting markets ahead of the big night!

Don’t have a bookmaker.com.au account? Join today quoting the code BONUSBET and you will also enjoy a $300 bonus bet on the house!

2012 State of Origin Game 3 – Queensland Team

Suncorp Stadium – Wednesday July 4, 2012

Get your State of Origin Bets down for Game 3 now at bookmaker.com.au!

St George Illawarra winger Brett Morris will join twin brother Josh in a Blues jersey in Game 3 after the controversial decision by Blues coach Ricky Stuart to drop the ‘flying Fijian’ Akuila Uate from the squad.

Uate played a big part in the Blues’ make-up during last year’s Origin series but just hasn’t been at his best this year, defensively making plenty of errors which was too big a risk for the final showdown.

“He’s young, he’s had a bit of pressure on him over the last two games,” Stuart said.

“He handled it very well, but they’re going to keep coming down that edge so I’ve had to look at it.”

In his 19-man squad Stuart has named Glenn Stewart in the second row despite the Manly Sea Eagle having suffered a partial medial ligament tear only a week ago.

“He’s coming out of the brace and I think he deserves every opportunity to make himself available,” Stuart said.

“He’s been a huge part of it, the last two series. I don’t want to put a timeframe on it.

“We’ll assess it and give him some time over the next two or three days and monitor where he’s at.”

Helping conceal his exact starting line-up for the Blues back-row Stuart also has fellow Manly player Tony Williams, who was outstanding in the Sea Eagles’ big 52 – 14 annihilation of the Sydney Roosters on Sunday, and Beau Scott on the six-man bench.

Hulking Manly back-rower Williams missed Origin game two due to injury but looked bigger and better than ever in his return on the weekend.

“He played 80 minutes and his touches were assists for the first two tries,” Stuart said.

“He’s played himself into the squad today.

“He gives us a different style of football if he is selected.”

The rest of the line-up remains untouched with all the key players still in position for the big bash.

Despite New South Wales getting the better of the six-time defending series champions down in Sydney for game two, the Queensland Maroons are the red hot favourites to win the tiebreaker paying $1.60 through bookmaker.com.au.

The Maroons will name their side, which is tipped to be the biggest in history hitting up to 21 tentative players, later today.

Not only will the mighty Maroons secure the 2012 State of Origin series with a win on Wednesday week, they will also be posting their incredible seventh straight series success, forever stamping their authority on the game.

The Blues meanwhile pay $2.35 in the latest State of Origin betting markets, a juicy price for all those New South Welshmen looking to get behind their boys.

Closer to match game there will be a wider range of State of Origin odds and wagering options released.

Get ready to support your state with a State of Origin bet by signing up with the country’s best bookie bookmaker.com.au, home of the $300 Bonus Welcome Bet Offer open to new customers quoting the code BONUSBET!

2012 State of Origin Game 3 – New South Wales Team

Suncorp Stadium – Wednesday July 4, 2012

After going down to the experienced and professional Queenslanders in Melbourne for Game 1 the boys from south of the Tweed showed they could execute a win and not just dream of one when they held on in a thriller to win 16 – 12 in front of a capacity crowd of 83,110 at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.

Think the Blues can steal the series in an upset? Bet at bookmaker.com.au now!

It was a stirring performance from the Ricky Stuart-coached Blues who started favourites in the State of Origin betting markets at bookmaker.com.au for game two.

All eyes will now be on the decider and whether Queensland will be able to bounce back after going down in the second as they did 12 months ago and secure their incredible seventh straight series success, something that won’t come easily for the canetoads according to Stuart.

“We have proved we can win Origin games,” Stuart said.

“Now we have to prove, to ourselves more than anyone else, that we can win an Origin series.”

The Blues got off to a winning start with ace fullback Brett Stewart posting first points last night 26 minutes in before a rousing try right on the half time siren from Queenslander Ben Hannant, thanks to a tricky flat bomb from Cooper Cronk that NSW winger Akulia Uate let bounce, which saw NSW trail 4 – 6 going into the break.

However two tries in the opening eight minutes of the second half and a two point penalty conversion ensured NSW had a lead that would prove too hard to run down thanks to Stewart making it a double before the flying Josh Morris crossed the line after a beautiful break by Jarryd Hayne.

Both of the Blues second halfers were thanks to the game being played 13 on 12 with Queenslander Cronk spending 10 minutes in the sin bin after pulling Todd Carney back in the in-goal area in the 42^nd minute illegally stopping a certain Blues’ try.

“Being one man down cost us dearly,” Queensland coach Mal Meninga said.

As always things went down to the wire with Queensland putting themselves back into the game with Origin’s highest ever points scorer Greg Inglis getting over for try No. 14 with 18 minutes left on the clock.

But it wasn’t enough.

Last night was an expectedly brutal battle, especially the opening 40, with injuries a plenty.

The Brisbane Broncos will be without another star for their big clash with the Cowboys on Friday night with Corey Parker requiring surgery for a nasty cut to his let suffered in Origin II.

Melbourne fullback Billy Slater will also undergo scans after injuring his knee, the brave No. 1 fighting on until the end despite being in obvious pain.

So how will Origin affect the NRL Round 15 betting markets at bookmaker.com.au this weekend?

And will the Blues open favourites to score an upset series win next month for when the final 2012 State of Origin odds are released?

Get all the hottest Rugby League betting markets online at bookmaker.com.au, and if you are a new depositing customer at this Aussie owned and operated sportsbook make sure to quote the code BONUSBET to unlock your $300 bonus bet!

2012 State of Origin Game 2 Results & Match Break-Down

• Score: NSW Blues 16 – 12 QLD Maroons
• Man of the Match: Robbie Farah (NSW)
• Blues Tries: Brett Stewart (25^th min, 44^th min), Josh Morris (48^th min)
• Blues Conversions: Todd Carney (45^th min)
• Blues Penalty Goal: Todd Carney (43^rd minute)
• Maroons Tries: Ben Hannant (39^th min), Greg Inglis (62^nd minute)
• Maroons Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (40^th min, 63^rd min)
• NSW Most Metres Run: Josh Morris (154m)
• QLD Most Metres Run: Billy Slater (180m)
• NSW Most Tackles: Robbie Farah (63)
• QLD Most Tackles: Nate Myles (48)

Queensland held on to win the opening match in Melbourne last month 18 – 10, the six-time defending series champs looking to seal their seventh straight series success with another win tonight.

Best State of Origin Bet – Queensland to Win by 1 – 12 points @ $2.85 through bookmaker.com.au

But with Sam Thaiday out with a shoulder injury and the Blues with everything to play for and nothing to lose the canetoads will start the underdogs in the State of Origin betting markets at bookmaker.com.au.

Currently the Mal Meninga-coached Maroons are at $1.95 to beat the home team tonight.

It is juicy odds for an experienced and professional squad that will now include Dave Taylor in the starting line-up and Corey Parker on the bench and who were plagued by a virus in the lead-up to Origin Game 1 last month.

The New South Welshman however are the better fancied of the two in the State of Origin odds paying $1.86 at bookmaker.com.au to win.

They don’t have the record or the same imposing stats on paper but they do have a dangerous halves combo with Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney and everything to prove.

With rain in Sydney the home team at Homebush has the advantage, New South Wales having won the last muddy Origin back in Game 2 at ANZ Stadium 18 – 8 last year.

In their line-up Tony Williams is out with a back injury with fellow Sea Eagle Anthony Watmough to come onto the bench as his replacement, and Panthers prop Tim Grant making his Origin debut tonight.

So can Queensland turn the lights off on New South Wales and overcome the away from home in the wet conditions to win Game 2 and the series? Or will the Blues improve and keep things simple with a gritty win, taking advantage of the loss of Thaiday?

We think that the Maroons can do it, albeit just.

The Blues will take some beating but don’t think Queensland don’t have anything to prove.

There’s plenty more than just the Win markets to enjoy a punt on tonight too.

Below we take a look at some of the more popular State of Origin betting odds and options open now at bookmaker.com.au – home of the $300 Bonus Bet Offer for customers that quote the code BONUSBET!

2012 State of Origin Betting – Game 2

Winning Margin

So you’re betting on your state that’s a given, but a great way to get more value for your Origin dollar is to have a bet on the winning margin.
The Blues are favoured to win by 1 – 12 points, which looking at the eight point margin for Game 1 is a good bet especially at $2.75.
If you fancy Queensland for an upset take them at the 1 – 12 margin for $2.85 odds!

• NSW 1 – 12 – $2.75
• NSW 13+ – $5
• Draw – $17
• QLD 1 – 12 – $2.85
• QLD 13+ – $5.35

First Try Scorer

Which player will be first over the line tonight for a four-pointer? Inglis after his controversial game winner late in Game 1 is the $8 favourite to post first points tonight with Queensland’s star fullback Slater next in the markets.
For the Blues the shortest priced is the flying Fijian Uate at $10.
At juicier odds are the likes of Darius Boyd ($11) who scored a double for Queensland in Game 1, and the speedy Michael Jennings for NSW at $13.

• Greg Inglis (QLD) – $8
• Billy Slater (QLD) – $9
• Akuila Uate (NSW) – $10
• Darius Boyd (QLD) – $11
• Jarryd Hayne (NSW) – $11

Full markets can be found at bookmaker.com.au on the remainder of the players as well as No Try Scorer and a Penalty Try paying $151 a piece.

Half-Time / Full-Time Double

Can the favourites lead at half time and hold that advantage right through until the final siren?
Or will Queensland be down at the break and come back to win the match, a result paying a generous $6.50 considering the Maroon’s late burst of brilliance last time these two met.

• New South Wales Blues/New South Wales Blues – $2.75
• New South Wales Blues/Draw – $41
• New South Wales Blues/Queensland Maroons – $6.50
• Draw/New South Wales Blues – $19
• Draw/Draw – $67
• Draw/Queensland Maroons – $19
• Queensland Maroons/New South Wales Blues – $7
• Queensland Maroons/Draw – $51
• Queensland Maroons/Queensland Maroons – $2.80

Highest Scoring Half

Will it be all guns blazing in the first half for a big point scoring epidemic before things slow down second half? Or will it be the final 40 minutes that the most points go up on the board tonight?

• Draw – $17
• First Half – $2.20
• Second Half – $1.73

*All odds provided by bookmaker.com.au and subject to change

The game had it all from a biff and a sin-binning, to a contentious video ref awarded try that really won Queensland the match.

Despite going in as the notable outsiders in the State of Origin odds the Ricky Stuart-coached Blues looked the better of the two rep teams inside the opening 10 minutes with the flying Akuila Uate posting the first points of the night just six minutes in.

Our Tip for QLD to win by 1 – 12 paid off for those bookmaker.com.au punters that took our advice!

The big Queensland squad fought back however with a daring Darius Boyd double in the left corner thanks to some Johnathan Thurston magic scored in the 26^th and 39^th minutes.

The last gave Queensland a nice 12 – 4 lead at half time, Thurston converting both the Maroon’s tries while Todd Carney, who really didn’t live up to the pre-match hype for the cockroaches, missed the first.

Adding to the first-half action was a brawl that broke out and led to Michael Jennings, who came in with a swinging punch that connected with Queensland winger Brent Tate who had a beauty of a game, copping 10 minutes in the bin.

Playing 13 on 12 suited the Queenslanders just fine, Boyd scoring his first on this advantage.

Back from the break the New South Welshmen started the stronger again with Jennings making up for his binning with a 43^rd minute try which Carney was able to convert this time.

Neither team really felt comfortable at this stage.

Would it be the experience and mass of the Queenslanders that stood the 80-minute test, or would a fired-up and speedy Blues squad run the cane toads off their feet?

As it turned out the favourites put the result beyond doubt with the big GI., Greg Inglis, making history as the highest scoring Origin player ever with a 73^rd minute four-pointer converted by JT.

It was this try more than anything that has been in the headlines ever since, Inglis having dropped the ball but the video refs awarding it having found NSW hooker Robbie Farah had kicked the ball form his grip before he regathered to score his 13^th try for QLD.

So that’s it, State of Origin Game 1 done and dusted, analysed and over for 2012.

The Blues get the home ground advantage for State of Origin 2012 Game 2 at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday June 13, 2012.

Get your State of Origin Tickets now and don’t miss out on what often turns out to be the series decider.

Queensland beat NSW down there and they have it, seven straight and counting.

But the Blues have plenty to prove and some atoning to do so expect a cracker match.

When it comes to having a punt on the next State of Origin 2012 game make sure you access the hottest odds by signing up with the country’s leading online bookie bookmaker.com.au.

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2012 State of Origin Game 1 Results & Match Break-Down

Score: QLD 18 – 10 NSW

Man of the Match: Nate Myles (QLD)

Blues Tries: Akuila Uate (6m), Michael Jennings (43m)

Blues Conversions: Todd Carney (44m)

Maroons Tries: Darius Boyd (26m, 39m), Greg Inglis (73m)

Maroons Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (28m, 40m, 74m)

NSW Most Metres Run: Paul Gallen (230metres)

QLD Most Metres Run: Brent Tate (154metres)

NSW Most Tackles: Glenn Stewart (34)

QLD Most Tackles: Cameron Smith (47)

COMPLETIONS –

• NSW: 32/40 = 80 per cent
• QLD: 28/35 = 80 per cent

TERRITORY -

• NSW: 1574 metres
• QLD: 1253 metres

KICKS -

• NSW: 598 metres
• QLD: 757 metres

TACKLES -

• NSW: 315
• QLD: 333

MISSED TACKLES –

• NSW: 4
• QLD: 3

PENALTIES RECEIVED -

• NSW: 4
• QLD: 3

There has been the traditionally massive build-up to State of Origin Game 1, from discussions and analysis of the State of Origin team selections to the betting markets on this great state v state showdown.

State of Origin Best Bet: Queensland To Win by 1 – 12 @ $2.70 through bookmaker.com.au

The last time the mighty Queensland Maroons met with the New South Wales Blues was back in Game 3 last year when Queensland capped off their record breaking sixth straight Origin series win with a  34 – 24 win at Suncorp Stadium.

The Maroons led 24-nil in the opening 33 minutes of that match before the Blues fought back to score twice in the final three minutes of the game, closing the gap but not dampening the celebrations in the sunshine state.

Tonight is the Queenslander’s first game of a new era, an era with the legendary Darren Lockyer to captain them.

Taking over as skipper is Cameron Smith, and isn’t it fitting he gets to play his first as captain at his club home state in Melbourne.

Smith has battled with the flu this week but has been passed fit to play.

There’s always something niggling in the media to downplay Queensland’s dominance, but really they are the ones to beat.

And Smith isn’t the only one who will look at playing in Melbourne tonight as having the ‘home ground advantage’, much to the dislike of Blues’ coach Ricky Stuart.

He’s joined on the field by fellow Melbourne Storm stars Cooper Cronk and formidable fullback Billy Slater.

It really is a blissfully talented State of Origin Maroons team bursting with champions.

There’s five-eighth Johnathan Thurston who’ll be keen to help Smith fill Locky’s boots, the retiring warhorse Petero Civoniceva as well as exciting centres Justin Hodges and Greg Inglis geared up to get the job done.

And then there’s the bench.

When you have the likes of Ben Hannant, Dave Taylor, Dave Shillington and newbie Matt Gillett lying in wait for a run on you know that their opposition is going to find it tough.

They come in with more experience, more team cohesion, more confidence and are the raging favourites in the State of Origin odds at bookmaker.com.au.

Of course the Blues won’t just give the win away.

They have a new spine with halfback Mitchell Pearce, hooker Robbie Farah and fullback Brett Stewart who haven’t been there in that combo before.

Add into the mix the genius of Todd Carney and his can’t knock em’ down fellow Sharkie Paul Gallen you could just be expecting a tight State Of Origin result.

Love him or hate him the bad boy of league Carney has knuckled down this year and it shows.

He’s doing everything right which is why he’s earned that Blues jersey and he is key to inspiring an upset win here.

They also have a roster full of full 80-minute players such as the fiery Greg Bird, Jamie Buhrer, Luke Lewis and Tony Williams.

They are feeling the pressure, desperate to win back the respect of their fans and bragging rights they haven’t held in over half a decade.

They were thereabouts last year, but will they get any closer in 2012?

So how do you turn all his info into winnings? By showing your state support and having a State of Origin bet online at bookmaker.com.au.

See below for the NRLleague.com.au team’s exclusive State of Origin best bets then head along to bookmaker.com.au to get in on the action.

Tonight is the night to sign-up with bookmaker.com.au as they have a juicy $300 bonus bet waiting for first-time depositing players that use the codeword BONUSBET!

2012 State of Origin Betting

State of Origin 2012 Odds

To Win –

• Queensland Maroons $1.49
• New South Wales blues $2.76

Line -

• QLD Maroons -5.5 @ $1.88
• NSW Blues +5.5 @ $2

Draw –

• $26

Win by 1 – 12

• QLD Maroons $2.70
• NSW Blues $3.65

Win by 13+

• QLD Maroons $3.10
• NSW Blues $8.50

Total Score –

• Over 38.5 @ $1.93
• Under 38.5 @ $1.91

State of Origin Best Bet

• Queensland To Win by 1 – 12 @ $2.70 through bookmaker.com.au

Queensland has enjoyed a stranglehold over the State of Origin arena winning an incredible six straight series.

They have a combination of class, skill, experience and legendary status that makes them all but unbeatable on paper and as it has been proven on the field as well.

So what are the Blues doing wrong? No one, least of all their coach Ricky Stewart really knows.

While it would seem that State of Origin Game 1 will play out on neutral territory taking place at Ethiad Stadium in Melbourne, one could argue this plays into the Maroon’s hands.

Two Melbourne Storm superstars are among the Maroons squad with champion fullback Billy Slater and Cam Smith who takes over as skipper for the retired great Darren Lockyer.

It is easy to see why Queensland are the shorties in the State of Origin odds at bookmaker.com.au paying around $1.40 to win.

Among the most experienced in a squad that boasts an incredible 147 winning State Of Origin matches in total are the warhorse Petero Civoniceva who will say goodbye to the game at the end of the season, Cowboys five eighty Johnathan Thurston, and fellow North Queenslander Matthew Scott to name a few.

But there are some rookie’s as well with two young players named to make their Origin debut in an extended 19-man team with the Broncos’ Matt Gillett on the bench and Manly’s star rookie Daley Cherry-Evans.

In an attempt to spice things up and inject something fresh into the New South Wales Origin team this year selectors have named four debutants.

Most notable of the quartet is the Sharks standout player Todd Carney who is doing everything right on and off the field this year making him deserving of his fifth eighth Blues’ jersey.

He should bring something good to the table too as he reunites with halfback Mitchell Pearce who he used to work some magic with on the green when playing for the Roosters.

The other New South Welshmen to make their debuts in State Of Origin Game 1 are then Cowboys’ James Tamou who will be looking to match his club teammates including his Cowboys captain Thurston on the opposite side for a change, flyer Jamie Buhrer and Tony Williams.

With so many Origin series losses the Blues are the underdogs going into game one paying around $2.70 through bookmaker.com.au.

So is there anything missing from the Queensland State of Origin Team?

Locky for one but Smith should captain them alright.

Cloud of injury over Justin Hodges, the centre suffering a foot injury that saw him miss Brisbane’s NRL Round 10 loss to Manly.

He says he’ll be right by Dane Nielsen has been named as the 19^th man just in case.

Hodges is one of four Brisbanites in the squad along with Nielsen, Sam Thaiday and Ben Hannant.

Along with the retired Locky the other notable absentee is Corey Parker who was snubbed by Origin selectors after his poor night on the boot against the Sea Eagles last week.

Check out the complete State of Origin 2012 team lists in the tables below.

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2012 Queensland Maroons State of Origin Game 1 Team

2012 New South Wales Blues State of Origin Game 1 Team

In front of a record-breaking 52,498 sea of Maroon fans that packed Suncorp Stadium to the rafters, the champion Queensland crew gave their instrumental skipper Darren Lockyer the farewell from Origin that the most-capped Origin player in history so much deserved with their authoritative six-tries-to-four win.

Donning the Maroon jersey for the 36^th and final time on Wednesday night, Lockyer can bow out from representative football with his famous bald head held high thanks to an all-in effort from the superlative Queensland team.

It was the first time in 20 years that the Maroons sealed a series win in a decider at Lang Park, making for an even more memorable chapter in the Origin history books.

While Locky himself didn’t get a final Origin four-pointer to ice the cake, there was still plenty to celebrate both on the field and back in the dressing rooms with household names old and new scoring for Queensland including Greg Inglis, Sammy Thaiday, Cameron Smith, Jharal Yow Yeh and Billy Slater.

It was an embarrassing start for the Blues in Origin game three, who after much hype from their bullish captain Ricky Stuart looked flat and out-played allowing Queensland to cruise to a commanding 24 to nil lead with four unanswered tries in the opening 35 minutes.

First over was Greg Inglis in the 16^th minute who capitalised on a masterful Johnathan Thurston kick followed by an easy four-pointer by a charging Sam Thaiday thanks to a deft pass from Slater, both converted by JT.

Greg Inglis was at double figure odds at Luxbet in the Origin first try-scorer markets, making the first four-pointer of the game real winner for punters!

Two more before the Blues had even opened their account had the Queenslanders cheering their hearts out.

The legendary Cameron Smith, tipped to take over captaincy from Locky and later named both man of the match and man of the series, getting over in the 31^st minute from dummy-half.

Then Broncos flyer Jharal Yow Yeh crossed again just two minutes later after a Lockyer kick bounced off Blues fullback Minichiello’s legs and right into his arms giving the young gun his second try in the Origin arena.

Another two successful conversion attempts by JT and the Blues were staring down the barrel of a 24 to nil deficit.

With Queensland having dominated in both attack and defence, in the last five minutes of the first half they dropped their game just enough for New South to sneak in with two fast tries to give the Blues supporters a glimmer of hope before the break.

First over was fullback and Rooster’s veteran Anthony Minichiello in the 37^th minute atoning for his earlier stuff-up by cleaning up a messy play after a horror kick from Soward went through four fumbling sets of Maroon hands before Luke Lewis clung on and passed to Minnie.

The Blues second came from Newcastle winger Akuila Uate who crossed right on the siren for his debut Origin try.

Jamie Soward, who seemed to be struggling with his ongoing hamstring injuries, converted the first but missed the second and Queensland headed to the sheds leading 24 – 10.

The second 40 minutes of the match began on a more even playing field.

Queensland’s brilliant fullback Billy Slater, who seemingly had a magnet on his chest having caught nearly every kick Soward sent his way, broke the arm-wrestle in the 65^th minute after a time-honoured play from Lockyer and Thaiday.

Smith had to take over conversion duties after Thurston suffered a sickening knee injury earlier in the game when attempting a tackle on Blues prop Anthony Watmough.

JT’s exit from the game was the only sour note on Queensland’s big night and has put the NRL future of the Cowboys this season under a cloud of doubt.

Getting back to business without Thurston, the Maroons held strong and just four minutes after Slater’s effort big Greg bagged himself an Origin Game 3 double scoring in the 69^th minute.

Again it was too little too late for New South Wales who posted the final points of the season with two tries inside the closing 10 minutes.

Jarryd Hayne got himself a rare eight-point try, Smith penalised and put on report for a sliding knee tackle in-goal allowing Soward back-to-back goals after the try.

With two minutes on the clock, Greg Bird scored a consolation try for the Blues, Soward converting again, but it did little to dint the pride of the supreme series winning Queensland squad.

As always, this year’s State of Origin impacts the NRL Telstra Premiership both good and bad.

With NRL Round 18 kicking off on Friday night, the Eels will take on the Tigers at Parramatta Stadium without Hayne and the Tigers are the early narrow favourites at $1.85 through Luxbet.

The other Friday night footy match sees the Titans travel to Mt Smart Stadium to play the Warriors, the Gold Coast possibly to have Mat Rogers back in the line up but are still the long-priced underdogs at $3.35 through Luxbet.

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