Everything you need to know about State of Origin game three: When and how to watch, the stats that matter and latest news
The Maroons will be aiming for their third straight State of Origin series win as the series moves to Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night for one of the most anticipated interstate clashes in years.
Queensland will need to bounce back from their 38-18 defeat to NSW in Game Two, enjoying home advantage in a sold-out stadium. Historically, the Maroons have a strong record in deciding games, having won nine of their last 10.
The Maroons’ dominance in decisive matches at Suncorp Stadium is a major advantage, with their last defeat in such a scenario dating back to 2005.
However, NSW are optimistic about their recent win and coach Michael Maguire has named a stable line-up for the deciding match.
This is the fourth time in six years that the series has been decided, with both teams having recorded significant victories in previous matches.
How to watch the match
Broadcast: The match will be shown live on Channel Nine and streamed on 9Now.
Start times:
- 20:05 AEST: ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, VIC
- 7:35 PM ACST: NT, SA
- 6:05 PM AWST: WA
Key Statistics
New South Wales have all the momentum after beating the Maroons in the second Origin clash in Melbourne (pictured)
Suncorp Stadium has become a graveyard for touring NSW teams and electric players like Reece Walsh (pictured) will be looking to retain that record
Location: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Queensland’s Record: The Maroons have won 65% of their State of Origin games at Suncorp Stadium, including four of the last five. In the deciders they have won 11 of 13.
Recent decider: In the 2022 decider, Queensland came back from a 12-10 halftime score to win 22-12, with Ben Hunt scoring the deciding try.
Recent Matches at Suncorp Stadium
- 2019: QLD 18-14
- 2020: QLD 20-14
- 2021: New South Wales 26-0
- 2022: QLD 22-12
- 2023: QLD 32-6
Current series of statistics:
Both teams have scored 9 times each in this series.
Key players: Zac Lomax and Dylan Edwards (NSW) scored in both matches; Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (QLD) scored four tries.
Wingers and centres accounted for 50 percent of the tries.
Performance insights
NSW have completed 21 of 22 sets before half-time in the first two games this year, but have struggled in the second half.
Queensland played a strong second half, scoring at least three goals in four of their last five games.
Queensland have also outpaced New South Wales in line breaks, with 12 compared to the Blues’ nine. They also average almost a metre more per run.
New South Wales, under coach Michael Maguire, have excelled in several areas this series, having achieved more run metres, post-contact metres, offloads and tackle breaks than Queensland.
Their average play-the-ball speed is faster at 3.4 seconds compared to Queensland’s 3.71 seconds. NSW’s sets have been more effective, averaging 45.8 metres per set versus Queensland’s 41.5 metres.
Penrith Panthers players Brian To’o and Liam Martin have been particularly effective, with the fastest game times being 2.9 and 2.95 seconds respectively. They are the only players to stay under three seconds.
The first Queensland player on this list is Tom Dearden, who is in eighth place with an average game speed of 3.22 seconds from eight plays in two games.
Player news
Bradman Best returns to Origin arena at the expense of injured star Latrell Mitchell
Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga returns from injury for Queensland and will add another potent attacking point from the bench
New South Wales: Bradman Best is expected to play after overcoming a hamstring strain, with Matt Burton set to be the 18th man.
Queensland: Kalyn Ponga will play from the bench, with plans to utilise his dynamic play alongside Reece Walsh. Harry Grant is expected to play despite a sternum injury. There is speculation that the Maroons could make a late change by starting Harry Grant at dummy-half and Mo Fotuaika in the front row. If this happens, Ben Hunt and Lindsay Collins would be moved to the bench.
Team Lineups
NSW Blues
New South Wales captain Jake Trbojevic wants to challenge history with the Blues
- Dylan Edwards
- Brian To’o
- Bradman Best
- Stephen Crichton
- Zac Lomax
- Jarome Luai
- Mitchell Moses
- Jake Trbojevic
- Reece Robson
- Payne Haas
- Liam Martin
- Angus Crichton
- Cameron Murray
- Connor Watson
- Isaiah Yeo
- Mitchell Barnett
- Spencer Leniu
- Matt Burton
Queensland Maroons
Veteran Daly Cherry-Evans will lead the Queensland Maroons to Suncorp Stadium
- Reece Walsh
- Selwyn Cobbo
- Dane Gagai
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
- Valentine Holmes
- Tom Lievenden
- Daly Kers-Evans
- Ruben Cotter
- Ben Hunt
- Lindsay Collins
- Kurt Kaapwell
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Patrick Carrigan
- Harry Grant
- Moeaki Fotuaika
- Felise Kaufusi
- Kalyn Ponga
- Trent Loiero
- Brendan Piakura
- Reed Mahoney