The State of Origin series reaches its thrilling climax as Queensland hosts New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium. With the series locked at 1-1, the stage is set for a fierce battle as both teams aim to claim the coveted trophy.
Squads
Queensland:
- Reece Walsh
- Selwyn Cobbo
- Dane Gagai
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
- Valentine Holmes
- Tom Dearden
- Daly Cherry-Evans
- Reuben Cotter
- Ben Hunt
- Lindsay Collins
- Kurt Capewell
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Patrick Carrigan
Interchange:
14. Harry Grant
15. Moeaki Fotuaika
16. Felise Kaufusi
17. Kalyn Ponga
Reserves:
18. Trent Loiero
19. Brendan Piakura
20. Reed Mahoney
New South Wales:
- Dylan Edwards
- Brian To’o
- Bradman Best
- Stephen Crichton
- Zac Lomax
- Jarome Luai
- Mitchell Moses
- Jake Trbojevic
- Reece Robson
- Payne Haas
- Liam Martin
- Angus Crichton
- Cameron Murray
Interchange:
14. Connor Watson
15. Isaah Yeo
16. Mitchell Barnett
17. Spencer Leniu
Reserves:
18. Matt Burton
19. Haumole Olakau’atu
20. Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i
Match Preview
The series reached a fever pitch in Melbourne when the Blues dismantled the Maroons in a dominant performance. The rejuvenated New South Wales side overpowered their rivals with a fierce and brutal display, leading 34-0 at halftime before sealing a comprehensive 38-18 victory. This commanding win has raised questions about the Maroons’ form from the first match and left the Queenslanders needing to prove their worth in the decider.
Statistically, the Blues outperformed the Maroons in almost every aspect during Game 2. New South Wales enjoyed 54% of the possession, completed 91% of their sets compared to Queensland’s 78%, and made more total meters and post-contact meters. Defensively, the contrast was stark, with the Maroons missing 54 tackles to the Blues’ 23. These figures underline the dominance of the Blues and set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the series.
Despite the statistical disparity, history cautions against writing off the Maroons. Queensland has a formidable record in Game 3 deciders at home, winning 11 out of 13 encounters. New South Wales, however, is determined to rewrite history and claim their first Origin decider victory in Brisbane since 2005.
Team Changes and Key Players
For the Blues, Bradman Best has been named in the centers, replacing the injured Latrell Mitchell. Best himself is under an injury cloud, adding to the Blues’ concerns. Mitch Barnett will debut off the bench, taking the place of Haumole Olakau’atu. The visitors will rely on their momentum from the dominant Game 2 victory to challenge the Maroons on their home turf.
The Maroons have made several changes, recalling veteran Dane Gagai for his first Origin appearance since 2022. Selwyn Cobbo returns to the side after missing Game 2, while Kurt Capewell joins the starting pack. Kalyn Ponga, fresh from his return to club level, will come off the bench, adding depth to the Queensland lineup.
With both teams making strategic adjustments and bringing in fresh talent, the decider promises to be an intense and hard-fought battle. Fans can expect a high-stakes encounter as Queensland and New South Wales vie for the ultimate prize in rugby league’s most prestigious series.
