Game preview

 A quick summary of games thus far - NSW came from behind to claim game one by a narrow margin, with most of their points scored after the send off of Qld fullback Kalyn Ponga. They got there, but only just, with a moment of bobbling magic from Tedesco getting them over the line with not much more than a minute to spare. It's easy to forget that in game two the Blues led 12-0, given the final scoreline of Qld 44 to NSW 24. Dominance. Multiple changes in game three, especially so for NSW with Koroisau, To'o, Lucas and Staggs all out and Brailey, Best, Olakua'atu, Martin and Crichton brought in. For Qld, Collins and Finefeuiaki are out with Carrigan, Nanai and Horsburgh brought into camp. I should spend some time on NSW coach Laurie Daley who, I suspect, will have a few things to say after this game whether they win, lose or draw. He's faced his share of criticism this series, and while I've found some of the selections and his use of the interchange perplexing, he's no slouch as a coach. People will reference his Origin coaching record (6 series for 5 series losses) but they forget that most of those losses were during that mighty reign of Qld. Daley has never lost a series 3-0, and even won an Origin series when NSW selected Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson in the halves. In a series against a team that included Slater, Inglis, Thurston, Cronk and Smith...that's an extraordinary achievement. Note that Craig Bellamy coached NSW for 3 years for just 2 wins and 7 losses. No-one would suggest that Bellamy can't coach. Anyhoo, Daley has a challenge on his hands, and while I can't definitively say they can't win, it does seem unlikely. There are too many Qld players in stellar form, and the inclusion of Carrigan and Nanai for game three potentially makes them ever better. Things can go wrong on the night, as they did in game one when Ponga was sent off. But all things being equal, this Qld line-up are singing and NSW look like they don't even know the lyrics. There's been plenty of team changes for NSW, and it doesn't hurt to try new things, but shaking the snowdome and hoping to find the magic is a risky strategy. It didn't work for game two, and probably won't work for game three either.

Verdict - Qld 30 to defeat NSW 16

Predicted first try scorer - Selwyn Cobbo

Predicted player of the match - Kalyn Ponga

Don't forget to submit your predictions for our State of Origin competition. First prize is $50 cash. You can find the Origin comp here.

Game details

Date: Wednesday 8th July 2026

Time: 8.05pm kick-off

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Team list - Queensland Maroons*

1. Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
2. Selwyn Cobbo (Redcliffe Dolphins)
3. Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Redcliffe Dolphins)
5. Jojo Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)
6. Cameron Munster (c) (Melbourne Storm)
7. Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters)
8. Thomas Flegler (Redcliffe Dolphins)
9. Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
10. Tino Fa'asumaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)
11. Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks)
12. Kurt Capewell (New Zealand Warriors)
13. Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)
14. Max Plath (Redcliffe Dolphins)
15. Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)
16. Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys)
17. Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm)
18. Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)

19. Murray Taulagi (North Queensland Cowboys)

Team list - New South Wales Blues*

1. James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
2. Jack Bostock (Redcliffe Dolphins)
3. Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights)
4. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bulldogs)
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters)
6. Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
8. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
9. Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters)
10. Mitchell Barnett (New Zealand Warriors)
11. Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
12. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)
13. Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers)
14. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
15. Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks)
16. Haumole Olakau'atu (Manly Sea Eagles)
17. Blayke Brailey (Cronulla Sharks)
18. Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders)
19. Tolutau Koula (Manly Sea Eagles)

*Team lists are subject to change and will be updated as soon as possible.