The State of Origin 2010

An historic achievement?

State of Origin 2010 betting has Queensland as a heavy favourite to win the series, a victory that would be Queensland's fourth in a row. Neither New South Wales nor Queensland have won more than three series in a row in the nearly thirty year history of Origin football.

Queensland are deserved favourites with State of Origin 2010 betting quoting Queensland around the 1.60 mark with New South Wales offered at about 2.30. It has been an absolute rarity over the last decade, with the exception of last year, that Queensland are viewed by punters, bookmakers and traders as the pre-series favourite.

At this stage of the year, it would seem only cruel fate could stop Queensland from rewriting history. If anything, State of Origin 2010 betting has Queensland over the odds at 1.60.

Queensland have an embarrassment of riches. Combined with a level of stability rarely seen in Origin football and the confidence that comes with three consecutive series victories under a coach that personifies the Maroons ethos, Queensland enter the 2010 series in as good a position as has been seen in Origin football.

Remarkably, nearly every position in the Queensland team has already been settled. Billy Slater will play fullback. Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston will be the halves pairing. Cameron Smith will wear the nine. Steve Price and Petero Civoniceva will lead the way up front. Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Justin Hodges and Darius Boyd will fill the three-quarter line. Dallas Johnson and Sam Thaiday have two of the three back-row positions locked-up. It is really only the final backrow position and a number of bench spots that need to be filled. Only injury will prevent Queensland from fielding one of the most lethal and effective Origin line-ups ever.

It is little wonder that Queensland are dominating State of Origin 2010 betting.

A look at the New South Wales situation only serves to reinforce Queensland's apparent dominance of the series.

To start with, New South Wales are without a captain with no obvious heir apparent waiting to replace retired legend Danny Buderus. Few positions have been settled. New South Wales will be forced to field an inexperienced halves line-up with Peter Wallace the favourite to wear the seven and the choice for six a lottery. A new hooker will need to be found to replace Buderus. Up front the Blues are clearly lacking with three of Luke Bailey, Justin Poore, Brent Kite, Luke Douglas, Michael Weyman, and Josh Perry to take on the ferocious Queensland pack. Bailey and Kite are the only two with Origin experience. It is anybody's guess who will line-up against the brilliant and lethal Queensland three-quarter line.

To complicate matters, New South Wales selectors have made a habit of choosing certain types of players who have proved impotent in Origin football. If they persist with the likes of Ryan Hoffman, Willie Mason, Anthony Tupou et al, the series is as good as over.

Traders should take the State of Origin 2010 betting odds available for Queensland. At this stage, they are well and truly over the odds.