Game preview
It's difficult to get a read on the NSW line-up, with any number of key players hobbling about and avoiding contact. At various points there have been doubts about Clearly, Luai, Haas and To'o. More likely than not they will all end up playing - particularly the first two as the Blues have dropped Burton out of their extended squad. All four are important though, and if even one of them was unavailable it evens up this contest considerably. The changes are baked in for the Queensland side, with Tabuai-Fidow moving to fullback to replace the injured Ponga, Shibasaki making his Origin debut in the centres, and Papalii getting a recall into the engine room for the unlucky Fotuaika. If I'm being entirely honest (and I have to be), the Blues look to have a superior side on paper. If they play to their potential they'll win this, and probably by a margin. Mind you, we all thought that in game two, and Origin has an uncanny ability to surprise the heck out of everybody. Typically, it's the Queenslanders that do most of the surprising, and it's up to them to surprise us again. Perhaps the return of Big Papa can inspire the Queenslanders to do just that. I hope they can, but I fear they cannot.
Verdict - NSW 26 to defeated QLD 16
Predicted first try scorer - Brian To'o
Predicted player of the match - Stephen Crichton
Predicted player of the series - Payne Haas
Game details
Date: Wednesday 9th July 2025
Time: 8.05pm kick-off
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team list - New South Wales Blues*
- Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers)
- Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers)
- Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Zac Lomax (Parramatta Eels)
- Jahrome Luai (Wests Tigers)
- Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
- Max King (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
- Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)
- Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)
- Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers)
- Connor Watson (Sydney Roosters)
- Spencer Leniu (Sydney Roosters)
- Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
- Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne Storm)
Team list - Queensland Maroons*
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Redcliffe Dolphins)
- Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)
- Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)
- Gehamet Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos)
- Valentine Holmes (St George Ilawarra Dragons)
- Cameron Munster (c) (Melbourne Storm)
- Tom Deardon (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)
- Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
- Tino Fa'asumaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)
- Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Kurt Capewell (New Zealand Warriors)
- Trent Loiero (Melbourn Storm)
- Kurt Mann (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)
- Pat Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)
- Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys)
*Team lists are subject to change and will be updated as soon as possible.
Comments
Submitted by The Thinker on
Greetings Origin fans
Feel free to add any comments at any time. I'll update the team lists if/when changes come through.
I can't imagine many of us would have predicted a QLD Origin centre pairing of Toia and Shibasaki at the beginning of the year.
All the best
The Thinker
Submitted by Esra Star on
I hope Shibasaki isn't a one season wonder. I love watching him play. Big , hard and fast.
Submitted by The Thinker on
@Esra Star
He's had a breakout season, and he's been a standout consistent performer for the Broncos. I'm no David Middleton, but I suspect he's the first grandson of a Japanese pearl diver to play State of Origin.
All the best
The Thinker
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
My State of Origin game 3 predictions:
NSW 16 - Tries: B. To’o, S. Crichton and L. Mitchell
Conversions: Z. Lomax 2/4 (penalty goal and 1/3 from tries)
Qld 10 - Tries: R. Toia and X. Coates
Conversions: V. Holmes 1/2
Man of the Match - A. Crichton
First try scorer - B. To’o
Half- time score: NSW 10-6
Good luck with the game and up the mighty Blues let’s wrap this series up in front of the faithful! I’ll be there and can’t wait. Weather looking clear for next Wednesday
Add new comment