NSW coach Michael Maguire and Queensland counterpart Billy Slater have made changes to their teams for Wednesday night’s State of Origin series decider at Suncorp Stadium.
The match starts at 8.05pm and teams will officially be announced an hour before kick-off.
Joseph Suaalii and Matt Burton are the extended reserves in the Blues’ 19-man squad with Trent Loiero and Reed Mahoney the bench players for the Maroons. Burton and Loeiro are expected to be the 18th player for each team.
Maguire’s only injury-enforced change to the Blues is Bradman Best being recalled at centre for Latrell Mitchell, who suffered a foot problem after starring in the 38-18 game two win at the MCG last month.
Warriors forward Mitchell Barnett has been preferred ahead of Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu for a bench spot.
Slater has brought in bench utility Kalyn Ponga, Brisbane speedster Selwyn Cobbo and veteran centre Dane Gagai into his team with Jaydn Su’A dropped and wingers Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi out injured.
How they’ll line up
NSW
1. Fullback: Dylan Edwards
Age: 28
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 1
Predictably, Penrith’s Mr Consistent delivered on Origin debut in game two. Tirelessly carries the ball out of the backfield and will always be there to pick up an offload or inside ball off a break.
2. Winger: Brian To’o
Age: 25
Origins: 11
Origin tries: 6
The reigning Brad Fittler Medallist bagged a double as part of the game-two romp and can be relied upon for big metres and tough carries. His clash with Selwyn Cobbo on the edge shapes as an enticing contrast in styles of play.
3. Centre: Bradman Best
Age: 22
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 2
Comes in for the injured Latrell Mitchell as one of two changes to the 17 from game two. Was outstanding on Origin debut in game three last year and probably would have been picked for the series opener this year had he not been injured. Runs the ball with similar power to Mitchell on the left edge.
4. Centre: Stephen Crichton
Age: 23
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 1
Crichton is prized in the Blues camp for his energy and leadership, but he’s also one of the league’s best big-game players. He’s returning to the scene of the 2021 grand final, where he picked off an intercept to score the decisive try for Penrith. What magic will he produce this time?
5. Winger: Zac Lomax
Age: 24
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 3
Surely one of the favourites for player of the series in his first Origin campaign. He again shapes as an aerial target for future Parramatta teammate Mitch Moses and will be key if the Blues want to again expose the out-of-form Val Holmes, who has been shifted to his wing.
Jarome Luai. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
6. Five-eighth: Jarome Luai
Age: 27
Origins: 9
Origin tries: 2
The Queensland crowd’s pantomime villain the last time the Blues travelled to Suncorp Stadium. He’s been forced to mature on and off the field during Nathan Cleary’s injury absence at Penrith this season, so don’t expect him to be rattled on return to Brisbane.
7. Halfback: Mitch Moses
Age: 29
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 0
His Origin II masterclass was described as a coming-of-age performance. Now he has the chance to lock up the halfback jersey for the foreseeable future if he can become only the second NSW number seven to inspire victory in a game-three decider at Suncorp Stadium.
8. Prop: Jake Trbojevic (c)
Age: 30
Origins: 18
Origin tries: 1
After being restricted to a cameo in game one, the skipper had his minutes increased slightly for Origin II and was a reliable defensive presence as the Blues suffocated the Maroons early on. Expect his best moments to again come without the football.
9. Hooker: Reece Robson
Age: 26
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 0
Quietly piecing together a solid series. Expect big minutes from the North Queensland rake and plenty of top defensive efforts through the ruck. A reprise of NSW’s middle dominance could open up chances for Robson to chance his arm with the ball.
10. Prop: Payne Haas
Age: 24
Origins: 13
Origin tries: 0
Coming off the best Origin performance of his career, the Brisbane behemoth knows Suncorp like the back of his hand. He’s the key cog in the forward pack, and with the Queensland pack out for revenge, NSW simply can’t win in these hostile conditions if he has a bad game.
11. Second-rower: Liam Martin
Age: 27
Origins: 11
Origin tries: 2
An elite ball-runner, enthusiastic defender and serial pest, this guy is made for the Origin arena. Will be keen to take on ageing former teammate Kurt Capewell in a match-up that could yield plenty of points for the Blues.
12. Second-rower: Angus Crichton
Age: 28
Origins: 13
Origin tries: 1
His rise from reserve-grader to superstar second-rower has been one of the feel-good stories of the season. Now, fresh from re-signing at the Sydney Roosters, Crichton has the chance to cap a brilliant series in enemy territory.
13. Lock: Cameron Murray
Age: 26
Origins: 14
Origin tries: 1
Didn’t skip a beat after returning to the Origin arena shortly after his hip injury, making more tackles than any other Blue. Again preferred to Isaah Yeo at starting lock.
Connor Watson. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Gett
14. Bench: Connor Watson
Age: 28
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Don’t expect big minutes from the recent debutant, but he will be crucial in the event of any mid-game injuries. Can be dropped just about anywhere on the park and he’ll do the job.
15. Bench: Isaah Yeo
Age: 29
Origins: 13
Origin tries: 0
Will assume on-field leadership when Trbojevic goes off for a break. A big body with silky ball skills, he’s just as adept at punching through the middle as firing a pinpoint pass to the edges.
16. Bench: Mitchell Barnett
Age: 30
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
Replaces Haumole Olakau’atu to become the eighth NSW debutant this series and the only Blue tasting Origin for the first time in the decider. He’s in career-best form for the Warriors and will be only the second man to don the sky blue while contracted at the Auckland club, after Ryan Hoffman.
17. Bench: Spencer Leniu
Age: 23
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
The most damaging bench prop in the game, running the ball back from kick-offs like a man possessed and always keen for more work running at tiring middles. Privately, he was disappointed with the NSW bench’s performance in game two, so expect him to come out firing on all cylinders.
18th player: Matt Burton
Age: 30
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 1
Queensland
1. Fullback: Reece Walsh
Age: 22
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 0
Walsh is yet to make a mark in this year’s series after he was knocked senseless in game one by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and played just seven minutes. Was well contained in game two, but the stage is set for him in the decider to combine with Kalyn Ponga when the defence is tired.
2. Winger: Selwyn Cobbo
Age: 22
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 2
Cobbo was rested for game two after shining off the bench in Sydney in the series opener. His size, explosiveness and skill make him a weapon. Played in the 2022 decider, but was knocked out cold in the early minutes.
3. Centre: Dane Gagai
Age: 33
Origins: 22
Origin tries: 12
In 2017 Gagai became the only winger to win the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series. Grows an extra arm and leg when he wears the Maroons jersey, and gets his first Origin match since 2022.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
4. Centre: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Age: 22
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 9
The man known as “Hammer” has already scored four tries this series and with one more will equal Maroons great Lote Tuqiri’s five tries in a series in 2002. On track to be the greatest Origin try-scorer in history with his current strike rate.
5. Winger: Valentine Holmes
Age: 28
Origins: 18
Origin tries: 13
Holmes has switched from centre to wing for the decider after struggling to contain Latrell Mitchell at the MCG. There is no Mitchell this time, but Holmes has been moved to a position where he has been a revelation in the past and should adapt with ease.
6. Five-eighth: Tom Dearden
Age: 23
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 0
Dearden has fond memories of the 2022 decider at Suncorp, where he made his debut in a famous win. In the side due to the absence of injured Cameron Munster, this is a huge game for the North Queensland co-captain, who has Sydney Roosters playmaker Sam Walker nipping at his heels for future Origin series.
7. Halfback: Daly Cherry- Evans
Age: 35
Origins: 24
Origin tries: 2
Cherry-Evans is yet to announce whether this will be his last Origin game, but his form suggests the Maroons skipper could easily play on in 2025 and become the oldest Origin player in history. A win on Wednesday night would be his fourth series victory as captain and elevate him to a place among Origin greats.
8. Prop: Reuben Cotter
Age: 25
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 0
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Cotter was below his best in Melbourne after announcing himself last year as a Maroons must-pick by winning the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series. A warrior who plays well above what his size would suggest is possible for a modern-day prop.
9. Hooker: Ben Hunt
Age: 34
Origins: 19
Origin tries: 5
The veteran St George Illawarra half will join an elite band of Maroons to be awarded the FOGS Dick “Tosser” Turner Medal for playing 20 Origin games for his state. Hunt is another with fond memories of the 2022 decider, where his late runaway try sealed the deal.
10. Prop: Lindsay Collins
Age: 28
Origins: 11
Origin tries: 0
The Sydney Roosters front-rower has a reputation for making the big plays in the big moments and a track record of doing all the “one percenters” in the grind that go unnoticed by all but his teammates. A prop forward who makes every play count, from the first minute until the last.
11. Second-row: Kurt Capewell
Age: 31
Origins: 10
Origin tries: 2
The veteran back-rower has been brought in to provide solidity and grit to the edge defence, an area of weakness in game two. Capewell is also a great support player and is versatile enough to play centre if there is an injury.
12. Second-row: Jeremiah Nanai
Age: 21
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 2
Nanai is a rampaging ball runner and an expert at snaffling bombs with his leaping ability and giant hands. Last year he revealed that coach Billy Slater had asked him to improve his defensive efforts, and that area of his play will be crucial in the decider.
13. Lock: Patrick Carrigan
Age: 26
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 0
The Broncos No.13 is one of the game’s leading forwards who has speed and a heap of skill. It is his physical presence that has been a highlight in Queensland’s best wins and will be again at Suncorp Stadium.
Patrick Carrigan. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
14. Bench: Harry Grant
Age: 26
Origins: 10
Origin tries: 1
The Melbourne captain was below his best in the opening two Origin matches, but has fired in deciders at Suncorp Stadium in the past. Can come on and change a game with his speed and guile, as he did in 2020 on debut.
15. Bench: Moeaki Fotuaika
Age: 24
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 0
The Gold Coast prop does his job with vim and vigour, but needs to go above and beyond with the Maroons missing his Titans teammate Tino Fa’asuamaleaui due to injury for the entire series.
16. Bench: Felise Kaufusi
Age: 32
Origins: 16
Origin tries: 2
The enforcer of the side who has a history of making big hits against the best in the Origin cauldron. Kaufusi will relish the pressure of the occasion with his proven big-game experience under pressure.
17. Bench: Kalyn Ponga
Age: 26
Origins: 7
Tries: 1
Ponga is the ace in the pack that the Maroons have played for the decider. The Newcastle skipper could easily have started at No.1, but has only recently returned from a lengthy break with a foot injury. A game-breaker who has absolute belief in his ability.
18th player: Trent Loiero
Age: 23
Origins: 0
Tries: 0
with AAP
