NRL
QUESTION: How influential is rugby league great Cameron Smith?
Answer: He can move two betting markets at once.
At club level, the line moved from 10.5 points into 6.5 points once it was confirmed Melbourne skipper Smith would miss this weekend’s clash between the Storm and the Sea Eagles because of suspension. In the representative arena, the market for State of Origin I was turned on its head following Smith’s shock representative retirement after a glorious tenure as Maroons and Kangaroos hooker and captain. Queensland have been wound out from $2.10 to $2.60 to win the opening game of the series at the MCG.
NSW are now into $1.50 – their shortest quote in recent memory.
If State of Origin has taught us anything, the underdog Maroons have the Blues right where they like them.
NSW can lose from just about anywhere regardless of how short they are in the market and $2.60 for a Queensland win could prove incredible value. Meanwhile, punters have finally given up on the spluttering North Queensland.
The Cowboys opened their clash with South Sydney as favourites – quite staggering based on the way they played against the Tigers last weekend – but punters quickly threw their support behind the Rabbitohs and the market flipped early in the week. The Rabbitohs are now into $1.73 and the money has continued for the in-form side, with Ladbrokes taking an $8000 bet for South Sydney to record their fifth win from their past six games. However, there is some hope for the Cowboys.
North Queensland have won eight of their past nine games against the Rabbitohs and the Bunnies have a woeful record in Townsville.