RUGBY LEAGUE: Former Gold Coast coach Phil Economidis didn't have a lot of confidence in the Maroons team for the first State of Origin three weeks ago.

But the Warwick golfer is much more confident in the Maroons in Origin 2 tonight.

"They have picked a Maroons team that can win it," Economidis said.

"New South Wales had a very good team in the first game but Queensland has always defied logic in State of Origin.

"I expect Queensland to win and even up the series, there is something about Queensland, they always defy the odds. It must be something about the geography of Queensland and being higher up."

Economidis is originally from Biloela in Central Queensland and coached the Gold Coast Seagulls reserve-grade side to a preliminary final in the old Winfield Cup in 1995, a season his team won 16 of its 22 games.

He coached the Chargers in the NRL from 1996 to 1998.

Economidis was ARL Coach of the Year in 1997 when the Chargers made the finals.

He isn't about to claim credit for making the finals.

"We made the finals due to the efforts of the players who played well above themselves."

He expects the Queenslanders to deft logic tonight and play well above themselves with Captain Courageous Cameron Smith his tip for man of the match.

"I expect Thurston will have his hands full. Even the champion players can struggle a bit with the hectic pace on old legs," he said.

"I am impressed with Coen Hess, he runs nice outside in lines, is a big raw boned fellow and knows how to find the white line.

"Hess won't be overawed. Jarrod Wallace will go all night, Tim Glasby has come from out of the blue but the bloke I reckon is underrated is Matt Gillett.

"I am hoping he can tighten up the defence on the edges. Gillett is a great defender and his attacking play has improved."

Economidis is confident the Maroons will compress their defence a lot tonight.

"New South Wales will have to go round Queensland, not through them. like they did in game one," he said.

"We must push in and tighten the defence.

"Our marker defence was atrocious in game one, you have got to stop the first receiver.

"The first game was a good wake up call for Queensland, the new blood lifts the whole enthusiasm of the seniors and the team right across the board. It freshens everyone up."

He will watch the game from home tonight after playing a round of golf today with the Warwick Sporters Golf Club.

Economidis doesn't go in tipping competitions.

"These days form is no guide, it is whoever is primed on the night," he said