Punters jump on juicy odds for Queensland to win Origin 2018

ONLINE bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au has dubbed New South Wales the early favourites to take out the 2018 State of Origin series.

The Blues were in a similar position in 2017 and looked the goods after a dominant win in game one, but it all went pear-shaped after that as Johnathan Thurston and his mates powered Queensland to a 2-1 victory.

Thurston’s retirement from representative footy might explain why Sportsbet has opened NSW at $1.65 in the outright betting, with the Maroons out at $2.25.

Punters have jumped all over those odds, with a whopping 97 per cent of the money on Queensland to defend their title.

“Surprise, surprise! New South Wales are Origin favourites and the punters don’t agree with the bookies,” said Sportsbet’s Christian Jantzen.

“History says this won’t end well for us but we’re taking the Maroons on.”

Queensland have won 11 of the last 12 State of Origin series, with NSW’s only win coming in 2014.

2018 State of Origin series odds

$1.65 – New South Wales

$2.25 – Queensland

Odds courtesy of Sportsbet.com.au