This year’s State of Origin series will face the Blues and Maroons who will face off in a decision at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
The pre-Game III period has been less than ideal, as players from both fields have been ruled out due to Covid and injuries.
New South Wales will want to keep up the good times after an impressive 32-point win in the second leg as they look to win their second consecutive Serie A title.
But in front of their local fans, you can’t rule out the Queenslanders – it’s all about playing Game III.
Here’s everything you need to know about the decision maker.
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Hunt or Dearden? Slater does not say | 02:03
MATCH FORECAST
The two teams will believe they are able to win the decision when they meet for the third and final time in 2022 in Brisbane.
We’ve seen two very different performances from both teams in the series so far, with the Maroons having played magnificently in the first game in Sydney.
But the second game was a very different story, with a master class from Nathan Cleary that spurred the Blues to a comfortable win in the end, which also kept the series alive.
Queensland surpassed the odds of being the “worst team in history” to recapture the series in front of their local fans in 2020, and expect similar magic Wednesday night.
However, the Maroons will not have key player Cameron Munster, who has been ruled out along with Murray Taulagi due to a positive Covid-19 test.
Munster was named the man of the match in the first match, after running for 198 meters and making 22 tackles.
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Blues boss James Tedesco and his Maroons counterpart Daly Cherry-Evans.Source: Getty Images
It will be a big hole to fill for the Maroons, but Queensland coach Billy Slater, as well as captain Daly Cherry Evans, don’t seem worried after turning to rookie Tom Dearden.
While it is still unknown how exactly the Maroons 17 will run out, Slater has confirmed that Dearden will be number 6.
Dearden will make his debut at the coveted Maroon alongside Cowboys teammate Tom Gilbert, who will be stepping off the bench.
The Broncos winger, Corey Oats, is probably in the best shape of his career and has been rewarded for his consistency, having been named to return to the Arena of Origin after replacing Taulagi.
Jeremiah Nanai will also have his first title start with the Maroons after veteran Felise Kaufusi was ruled out for personal reasons.
The Blues had appointed Cowboys team Jordan McLean to make his debut before he was ruled out of the decision due to injury.
He was initially supposed to replace injured Payne Haas, with Knights supporter Jacob Saifiti who had been called up to the match day team.
Covid also ruled out Nicolas Hynes of the match, although he was not in the starting 17 appointed by the Blues. Instead, Chad Townsend has been called up to the squad to take his place.
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WHEN AND WHERE
Origin III – Wednesday 13 July at Suncorp Stadium (7.35pm – Pre-match entertainment; 8.10pm – Start AEDT).
WEATHER FORECAST
It is expected to be a somewhat cold day in Brisbane, although at the moment it should not be too shocking either for the people of Queensland or for the New South Welshman. Temperatures are expected to reach nine degrees Celsius, reaching only a maximum of 19. Southwest winds of 20 to 30 km / h are forecast for the evening.
SCHOOLS EXPECTED FOR ORIGIN III
QLD MAROONS: Beau Fermor *, Ben Hunt, Corey Oates, Daly Cherry-Evans (c), Dane Gagai, Harry Grant, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow *, Jai Arrow, Jeremiah Nanai, Josh Papalii, Kalyn Ponga, Kurt Capewell, Lindsay Collins , Patrick Carrigan, Sam Walker *, Selwyn Cobbo, Thomas Flegler, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Tom Dearden *, Tom Gilbert *, Valentine Holmes
Coach: Billy Slater
NSW BLUES: Angus Crichton, Apisai Koroisau, Brian To’o, Cameron Murray, Chad Townsend *, Dale Finucane, Damien Cook, Daniel Tupou, Isaah Yeo, Jack Wighton, Jacob Saifiti *, Jake Trbojevic, James Tedesco (c), Jarome Luai, Junior Paulo, Liam Martin, Matt Burton, Nathan Cleary, Reece Robson *, Siosifa Talakai, Stephen Crichton
Coach: Brad Fittler
* Denotes the debut of the origin
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Cronk chooses his replacement for Munster | 02:40
ENTRY AND EXIT OF THE SECOND GAME
QLD Maroons: Ins – Tom Gilbert; Outs – Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi, Murray Taulagi, Reece Walsh
NSW Blues: Ins – Chad Townsend, Dale Finucane, Jack Wighton Jacob Saifiti, Reece Robson; Outings: Jordan McLean, Joseph Suaalii, Nicholas Hynes, Payne Haas, Victor Radley
THE PROBABILITIES – Responsibility for the game
Courtesy of TAB
Third Game Winner: Maroons $ 3.40 Blues $ 1.32
Match Player: Nathan Cleary (NSW) $ 4.00, James Tedesco (NSW) $ 5.00, Daly Cherry-Evans (QLD) $ 8.00, Kalyn Ponga (QLD) $ 13.00, Isaah Yeo (NSW ) $ 13.00
Winner of the Wally Lewis 2022 Medal (man of the series): Nathan Cleary (NSW) $ 1.75, James Tedesco (NSW) $ 3.50, Kalyn Ponga (QLD) $ 15.00, Daly Cherry-Evans (QLD ) $ 15.00, Isaah Yeo (NSW) $ 26.00
TALE OF THE RIBBON
The home state opening winner has won the series more than 75% of the time (29 times out of 38, excluding the two series drawn).
But the Blues will have a chance to prove those odds are wrong on Wednesday.
The last time New South Wales played Suncorp they won 26-0. In fact, they managed to win the 2021 series 2-1 even though the series was played entirely in Queensland, only losing the third game by two points.
QLD ‘especially’ for news about Covid Munster | 03:11
WHAT THEY SAID
Cooper Cronk on Cameron Munster dismissing: “This is what happens when star players are out, you need 14 or 15 guys to play their part and hold on strong,” Cronk said on Matty Johns’ podcast.
“And then your other stars rise, Ponga is one of them. If you look at the Queensland team, there are probably three guys who need to have a better game of their career: Ben Hunt, Kalyn Ponga and Cherry- Evans “.
Matty Johns on how DCE can achieve legend status: “This is your chance to move into the realm of some of these great players.”
Anthony Seibold on Tom Dearden: “I gave Tommy his debut in 2019 and it’s great to see him so well. I always knew he was a potential star of the game. He’ll fill in admirably, I have no doubt, but he’s not Cameron Munster .
Maroons coach Billy Slater on Tom Dearden: “I’ve told Tom several times throughout the series that if I wore a Maroon T-shirt at a State of Origin game, I wouldn’t worry at all. Now it will be and I don’t care at all. I’m very confident in Tom. “
Blues center Stephen Crichton on Tom Dearden: “In the Origin Arena, there will be big shoes to fill. I think we play as a group and we’re together, we’ll try to reach him when we can. We’ll play what’s ahead and behind us ourselves. “
Andrew Johns on the Maroons headache: “Personally, I would go there [Ben] Hunting [at five-eighth], but I think they will go with Dearden. There is a lot of pressure on the youngster, playing a decisive one with the No. 6 Queensland shirt.
Daly Cherry-Evans on Josh Papalii: “When people start talking about you, the only way you have to respond is your football, so I can’t wait to go out with Paps. I know he’ll be ready for that “.
WALLY LEWIS MEDAL WINNERS (man of the series)
2021 Tom Trbojevic
2020 Cameron Munster
2019 James Tedesco
2018 Billy Slater
2017 Dane Gagai
2016 Cameron Smith
2015 Corey Parker
2014 Paul Gallen
2013 Cameron Smith
2012 Nate Myles
2011 Cameron Smith
2010 Billy Slater
2009 Greg Inglis
2008 Johnathan Thurston
2007 Cameron Smith
2006 Darren Lockyer
2005 Anthony Minichiello
2004 Craig Fitzgibbon