State of Origin 2023 was a clash that promised so much but in the end was over by Game 2 as the Queensland Maroons blew the New South Wales Blues out of the water. Are they favourites to retain the Origin Shield in 2024?
This year, the Maroons romped into a 2-0 lead after the opening two matches and it was all over as a contest before the sides descended on the Accor Stadium for game three, in which the Blues as least got on the board.
With the 2024 series still a long way off, leading bookmakers have already begun wading in on who they think is the side to back next year.
At this early stage, 2023 winners the Maroons are the favourites at $1.80, although New South Wales are right behind them at $1.91 with an open clash being predicted.
With the series so far away, of course, a lot can happen in the time between Origin 2023 ending and the kick-off of Origin 2024. However, if the series in 2023 is anything to go by, the Blues have a lot to do to close the gap between themselves and their opponents.
They were edged in a very entertaining match in game one as they fell to a 26-18 loss at the Adelaide Oval.
With game two moving to the Suncorp Stadium, the Blues knew they needed a big performance to set up a winner takes all clash in game three. However, they got nowhere near their rivals as they were hammered 32-6 as Queensland ran in six tries at home in Brisbane.
Game three saw the Blues bite back in Sydney, but it was too little too late as their 24-10 win saw them lose 2-1 across the three-match series.
The series in 2023 has only added to the lead the Maroons are building, with Queensland now winning Origin 24 times. Meanwhile, the Blues have won 16 series, with two ending as draws.
The Maroons now boast back-to-back 2-1 series wins since 2022 and they will be chasing a three-peat in 2024.
