NSW are the shortest-price favourites in 15 years to win State of Origin III

Queensland couldn’t even achieve this feat during their decade-long State of Origin dominance. New South Wales will start as the shortest-priced favourites in 15 years in next Wednesday’s decider.

JULY 7, 2004 : L-R Craig Wing, Brad Fittler, Mark Gasnier & Willie Mason (back) celebrate after Gasnier try in Game 3 of State of Origin RL series NSW v Queensland at Telstra Stadium in Homebush, Sydney 07/07/04. Pic David Kapernick. Rugby League A/CT

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NSW will start State of Origin III as shorter-priced favourites than Queensland did at any point during their decade-long dominance of the interstate series.

The Blues are heavy $1.40 favourites to seal the series against outsiders Queensland, making them the biggest Origin hot pots in the past 15 years, according to the TAB.

After opening at $1.55 last week, NSW have tightened significantly following the loss of star Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga to injury.

The Blues haven’t been this fancied since game three in 2004 when they were paying a miserly $1.38 in what was current coach Brad Fittler’s farewell match for NSW.

Fittler led the Blues to Origin victory in 2004. Picture by David Kapernick.

Queensland have drifted out to $3 for next Wednesday’s decider at ANZ Stadium.

Even when they were virtually unbeatable with a star-studded side under coach Mal Meninga, Queensland’s shortest odds were $1.45 for game two of the 2010 series.

“The move is a combination of money for the Blues and how much our bookies think they’ll miss Kalyn Ponga,” TAB spokesman Matt Jenkins said.

“The last time the Blues were a shorter quote was back in the 2004 decider in Brad Fittler’s farewell game.

“They started $1.38 after plenty of support and won 36-14 with Craig Fitzgibbon winning man of the match. It also happened to be the last time Phil Gould coached the Blues.

Can Fittler do it again?

“Even when Queensland was dominating they never started $1.40, which highlights how much times have changed.”

NSW and South Sydney hooker Damien Cook is the $6 favourite to be named man of the match ahead of James Tedesco and James Maloney, both at $7

Queensland’s Cameron Munster is next on the line of betting at $8.

That successful Blues side of 2004 included NSW’s current two assistant coaches, Danny Buderus and Craig Fitzgibbon.