The 2022 State of Origin series heads to Brisbane for a mouth-watering Game Three decider between Queensland and NSW.
Match details
Who: Queensland Maroons vs New South Wales Blues
When: Wednesday 13 July 8.10pm AEST
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Weather: Max 19, chance of rain 5%
- Match wins: QLD 65 – 55 NSW. 2 draws
- Series wins: QLD 22 – 16 NSW. 2 drawn series
2022 State of Origin Game Three teams
| QUEENSLAND | NSW | |
| Kalyn Ponga | 1 | James Tedesco (c) |
| Selwyn Cobbo | 2 | Brian To’o |
| Valentine Holmes | 3 | Matt Burton |
| Dane Gagai | 4 | Stephen Crichton |
| Corey Oates | 5 | Daniel Tupou |
| Tom Dearden | 6 | Jarome Luai |
| Daly Cherry-Evans (c) | 7 | Nathan Cleary |
| Lindsay Collins | 8 | Jordan McLean* |
| Ben Hunt | 9 | Apisai Koroisau |
| Josh Papalii | 10 | Jake Trbojevic |
| Kurt Capewell | 11 | Cameron Murray |
| Jeremiah Nanai | 12 | Liam Martin |
| Tino Fa’asuamaleaui | 13 | Isaah Yeo |
| BENCH | BENCH | |
| Harry Grant | 14 | Damien Cook |
| Jai Arrow | 15 | Angus Crichton |
| Patrick Carrigan | 16 | Junior Paulo |
| Tom Gilbert | 17 | Siosifa Talakai |
| RESERVES | RESERVES | |
| Thomas Flegler | 18 | Jack Wighton |
| Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | 21 | 24 | Dale Finucane |
| COACH | COACH | |
| Billy Slater | Brad Fittler |
*denotes player ruled out
Queensland Maroons
Queensland have been dealt a massive blow with star five-eighth Cameron Munster and winger Murray Tualagi ruled out of the decider after testing positive to COVID.
Tom Dearden has been named in the 6 jersey but Billy Slater was tight-lipped on how Queensland will actually line up. The Maroons will either run out as named, or Ben Hunt will play in the halves, Harry Grant to start at hooker and Dearden on the bench.
Broncos veteran Corey Oates has had a resurgence this year and will replace Tualagi on the wing.
Felise Kaufusi is out due to personal reasons, with Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai to start in the back row and his club teammate Tom Gilbert to make his Origin debut off the bench.
There was talk that veterans Josh Papalii and Dane Gagai were under pressure to keep their spots in the 17, but Slater has stuck by them for the crucial Game Three.
NSW Blues
The Blues have stuck solid with the group that smashed Queensland in Game Two, with just the one change due to injury.
Payne Haas has been ruled out with veteran Jordan McLean named to make his Origin debut until he hurt his hamstring. Knights front rower Jacob Saifiti will now come onto for his NSW debut with Junior Paulo expected to start.
After missing Game Two with COVID, Canberra star Jack Wighton has failed to regain his place back in the 17, with Fittler opting to keep Stephen Crichton at centre and Siosifa Talakai on the bench.
Series so far
There was a large contrast between Game One and Game Two, with Queensland winning a tight opener before the Blues levelled the series with a dominant performance in Perth.
Queensland managed to win the big moments in Game One to take a 16-10 win in enemy territory, with Cameron Munster the star of the show. The Maroons got plenty out of their debutants with Reuben Cotter and Patrick Carrigan both outstanding all game, while Selwyn Cobbo came up with a big try assist. To the Blues credit, as the game looked like getting away from them in the second half, they lifted a gear and were only inches away from levelling the scores in the final play.
NSW coach Brad Fittler responded by making a host of changes to his side for Game Two and it paid off with a stunning second half burst leading to a 44-12 victory. The Blues big names stepped up in a must win clash with James Tedesco his usual brilliant self, while Nathan Cleary controlled the game. Matt Burton had a few special moments in his Origin debut as he scored a try, set one up and put up one of the biggest bombs ever seen. Queensland started the game well but fatigued quite quickly and simply had no answers once the Blues got going.
The Blues head into the decider as rightful favourites after such a dominant Game Two victory, but it won’t be easy in a hostile environment.
Last 5 Origin Deciders
- 2020 Game Three: Queensland 20 – 14 NSW at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- 2019 Game Three: NSW 26 – 20 Queensland at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
- 2017 Game Three: Queensland 22 – 6 Blues at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- 2015 Game Three: Queensland 52 – 6 Blues at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- 2013 Game Three: Blues 10 – 12 Queensland at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
The Maroons have a terrific recent record in Origin deciders, having won four of the last five and eight of the last ten.
Queensland’s last win in a decider came in 2020 when nobody gave them a chance of claiming the series. The Blues lone decider win in the last five came in 2019 which featured the famous James Tedesco try right on the full-time siren.
All State of Origin Deciders in Brisbane
- 2020: Queensland 20 – 14 NSW
- 2017: Queensland 22 – 6 NSW
- 2015: Queensland 52 – 6 NSW
- 2012: Queensland 21 – 20 NSW
- 2011: Queensland 34 – 24 NSW
- 2005: NSW 32 – 10 Queensland
- 2001: Queensland 40 – 14 NSW
- 1999: Queensland 10 – 10 NSW (Queensland retained trophy)
- 1994: NSW 27 – 12 Queensland
- 1991: Queensland 14 – 12 NSW
- 1987: Queensland 10 – 8 NSW
- 1983: Queensland 43 – 22 NSW
Pre match predictions
Papa Power: Josh Papalii to bounce back and score an Origin try.
Hostile history: The Blues to win just their third Origin decider in enemy territory. NSW by 12.
Lethal left: Queensland to continue targeting the left side, scoring two tries down that side. – Denholm Samaras
Bomb bomb Burton: At least two of Matt Burton’s bombs will be dropped by the Queensland back three. NSW by 6. – Denholm Samaras
Have any pre match predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments down below.
Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
