Punters pump Queensland for Origin despite Thurston doubts

May 22, 2017 4:36 pm.by Michael Maguire

Johnathan Thurston State of Origin rugby league
PUNTERS are taking no notice of Johnathan Thurston’s absence from the Queensland matchday squad for game one of the 2017 State of Origin series.

Even with the North Queensland Cowboys superstar named as 18th man due to injury concerns, the vast majority of the money is on the Maroons.

Another notable absentee is Billy Slater, omitted altogether despite a strong start to the NRL campaign with Melbourne Storm.

Darius Boyd’s efforts in Origin 2016 put the selectors in a tricky position, according to Queensland coach Kevin Walters.

“It’s been hard, difficult, particularly for all of us involved in the decision making around it because Billy’s been such a wonderful player for Queensland,” Walters said on Monday.

“And even when he wasn’t playing last year from a coaching point of view I feel he went above and beyond with what he was meant to do so it was pretty tough.

“But Darius was Queensland’s best player in last year’s series…

“It might have been just a little bit unfair on Billy to put him under so much pressure for Game One of the series, everyone expecting him to come out and change the world.”

Online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au has revealed that three times as much cash has come in for Queensland in the head-to-head betting for the series opener on May 31.

Even the line betting is looking lopsided, with more than 80 per cent of bets in favour of Kevin Walters’ men despite New South Wales holding a two-point advantage.

“Punters seem to be wondering why Queensland aren’t shorter given they’re at home, and have won 10 of the last 11 series,” said Sportsbet’s Christian Janzten.

“Well the answer is, they will be shorter if the current support for the Maroons continues.”

The NSW squad will be announced on Monday evening at the annual Legends of Origin dinner.