The 2019 edition of State of Origin heads to a deciding Game 3 at ANZ Stadium. After a convincing victory in Game 2, the Blues will be looking to continue that form on their way to collecting back-to-back series victories under coach Brad Fittler.
We have all the details you need ahead of Game 3, including the teams, the odds, who will win and how they'll go about achieving that victory.
Wednesday, July 10
New South Wales vs Queensland, ANZ Stadium, 8:10pm (AEST)
NEW SOUTH WALES: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. Tom Trbojevic, 4. Jack Wighton, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. James Maloney, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Daniel Saifiti, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Jake Trbojevic, 13. Tyson Frizell. Interchange: 14. Dale Finucane, 15. David Klemmer, 16. Cameron Murray, 17. Wade Graham
QUEENSLAND: 1. Cameron Munster, 2, Corey Oates, 3. Michael Morgan, 4. Will Chambers, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8. Joe Ofahengaue, 9. Ben Hunt, 10. Josh Papalii, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Josh McGuire. Interchange: 14. Moses Mbye, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Tim Glasby, 17. David Fifita
Verdict:
Queensland won Game 1 at Suncorp Stadium on the back of some Origin-style brutality in the forwards. New South Wales, with an untried halves combination, a disinterested star centre and a light-weight bench, were out-muscled and out-enthused after leading at halftime.
Coach Brad Fittler's response was to make wholesale changes for Game 2, including the return of veteran five-eighth James Maloney. Maloney's control combined with the blistering brilliance of James Tedesco and Tom Trbojevic, who had missed Game 1 through injury, saw the Blues tear the Maroons apart in Perth.
Fittler has stuck solid with his line-up for the decider, to the point of snubbing David Klemmer, arguably the best forward the Blues have. It turned out to be an astute move by Fittler who was able to show faith in his victorious 17 and welcome Klemmer back once Tariq Sims was suspended.
Nathan Cleary was also selected again for Game 3, but his injured ankle didn't progress enough for him to take to the training paddock, so veteran half Mitchell Pearce was called into the squad. After being part of seven losing Origin series, Pearce will be primed to contribute to a victory in front of a packed ANZ Stadium.
The Maroons were in shock after a Game 2 in which everything went wrong from the opening kick-off. Coach Kevin Walters dropped two forwards and had to find someone to fill the enormous hole left by the injured Kalyn Ponga. Corey Norman is set to make his debut at five-eighth in Sydney, with Cameron Munster let off the leash in the fullback role.
New South Wales have a poor record in deciders, a contributor to their horrible run for over a decade. They carry with them a stadium full of confidence following their dominating Perth performance. They have the forwards to more than match the Maroons and the outside backs to tear them apart. Pearce should slot into the side, playing his part without any need to be the deciding factor. Maloney should pick up where he left off in Perth, finding space for Jack Wighton, Tom Trbojevic, Josh Addo-Carr and Blake Ferguson out wide.
Around the ruck, Damien Cook and Tedesco should continue to cause havoc upon seeing even the slightest chink in the Maroons' defensive line. To add to the chaos up the middle, Tom Trbojevic will again play a roving role, popping up in support to turn any half breaks into tries.
Queensland won't lose this without a fight -- they never do. Their pride was severely bruised in Perth and they'll charge onto ANZ Stadium proudly shouldering almost four decades of bitterness in the form of the biggest chips in world sport. Forget the coach whisperer, the voice of every Queenslander to ever pull on the jersey will be urging this team on to crush the hopes of New South Wales once again.
If the Blues forwards can dominate, their backs should have too many points in them out wide. Munster, in his now roving role at fullback, presents the biggest danger for Queensland; but if the Blues are able to stifle his influence, they will be on their way to two series wins on the trot. If they can overcome my support, the Blues will hold the shield aloft in front of a crowd both ecstatic and relieved. So many times they have gone home with their hearts broken; it hasn't been easy being a New South Wales supporter, not for a long time.
Tip: New South Wales
Man-of-the-match: James Tedesco
TAB odds: New South Wales $1.38 (-6.5 $1.85) Queensland $3.10 (+6.5 $1.95)