Match day guide and preview for State of Origin Game III 2021 between Queensland and New South Wales.
Who, when and where?
Queensland Maroons vs New South Wales Blues
Wednesday 14 July 8.10pm
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast QLD
The match was initially scheduled to be played in Newcastle but was moved due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in NSW.
- Match wins: QLD 63 – 54 NSW. 2 draws
- Series wins: QLD 22 – 16 NSW. 2 drawn series
The series so far
- Game I: QLD 6 – 50 NSW at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
- Game II: QLD 0 – 26 NSW at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Despite both games being played in Maroons territory, it has been all the Blues in the opening two matches.
They’ve dominated just about every aspect to wrap up the series already, but it’s their back five that have done the bulk of the damage.
Tedesco, To’o, Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic and Addo-Carr have each run over 100m in both matches so far, with Tedesco and To’o topping 200m each time.
Mitchell and Trbojevic in the centres have been lethal, scoring seven tries between them along with three try assists. To’o and Addo-Carr have also scored two tries each on the wing.
While the Blues have been lethal with the ball, their defence has been just as good, conceding just the one try in 160 minutes.
The possession stats have actually been very even across the two games, with the Blues shading Queensland 51% to 49% in both games.
The Maroons just haven’t been able to cause any issues for NSW’s defence with their key play makers all struggling to have an impact.
Munster, Cherry-Evans and Holmes have found it tough while they’ve desperately missed having a fully fit Kalyn Ponga and Harry Grant.
Blues and Maroons team line ups
| Queensland | NSW | |
| Kalyn Ponga | 1 | James Tedesco |
| Valentine Holmes | 2 | Brian To’o |
| Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | 3 | Latrell Mitchell |
| Dane Gagai | 4 | Tom Trbojevic |
| Xavier Coates | 5 | Josh Addo-Carr |
| Cameron Munster | 6 | Jarome Luai |
| Daly Cherry-Evans | 7 | Nathan Cleary |
| Christian Welch | 8 | Dale Finucane |
| Ben Hunt | 9 | Damien Cook |
| Josh Papalii | 10 | Junior Paulo |
| Kurt Capewell | 11 | Cameron Murray |
| Felise Kaufusi | 12 | Tariq Sims |
| Tino Fa’asuamaleaui | 13 | Isaah Yeo |
| Bench | Bench | |
| AJ Brimson | 14 | Api Koroisau |
| Moeaki Fotuaika | 15 | Angus Crichton |
| Francis Molo | 16 | Payne Haas |
| Tom Flegler | 17 | Liam Martin |
| Reserves | Reserves | |
| Kurt Mann | 18 | Nicho Hynes |
| 19 | Clint Gutherson | |
| 20 | Stefano Utoikamanu | |
| Coach | Coach | |
| Paul Green | Brad Fittler |
Both sides have been forced into changes for the series finale, with the Blues losing their halves pairing of Nathan Cleary (shoulder) and Jarome Luai (knee) to injury.
It opens the door for Raiders’ star Jack Wighton to shift from the bench into five-eighth with Mitchell Moses make his State of Origin debut at halfback.
Daniel Saifiti is also out with a rib injury with the reliable Dale Finucane to replace him in the front row while Api Korisau will make his Origin debut off the bench.
Queensland have been dealt a double blow with David Fifita ruled out with suspension before Jai Arrow was ruled out after a ridiculous COVID breach.
It means Francis Molo earns a reprieve while Tom Flegler will make his Origin debut off the bench.
In some good news for Queensland, Kalyn Ponga returns at fullback after a stellar return for the Knights. His inclusion sees Valentine Holmes shift to the wing.
Kurt Capewell moves to his favoured spot on the edge after struggling at centre in the first two games. Young Cowboy Hamiso ‘The Hammer’ Tabuai-Fidow will make his Queensland debut at centre and will now have the almost impossible task of containing Tom Trbojevic.
Ben Hunt has been preferred at hooker over Andrew McCullough with AJ Brimson returning as the bench utility.
Pre match predictions
The Murra-Cane: Cam Murray and Dale Finucane to combine for over 200 metres and a try.
Can’t touch this: Hamiso ‘The Hammer’ Tabuai-Fidow to score a long range try.
Pong Song: Kalyn Ponga to be on song ‘all night long’, with a try assist and over 200 run metres. – Denholm Samaras
Parting of the seas: Mitchell Moses to part the seas of Maroon at Cbus and lead his people to the promised land with two try-assists. – Denholm Samaras
Other match information
The Blues will be looking for their third ever 3-0 series win and first since 2000. In fact, only seven of the 39 series have been clean sweeps with just two since 1997.
NSW will also get the chance at the first ever Queensland sweep with a win on the Gold Coast. Having won the opening two games in Townsville and Brisbane, it would be a historic accomplishment to win all three games in enemy territory.
The match will be broadcast live nationally on the Nine Network and 9Now, Sky Sport in New Zealand and WatchNRL internationally.
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.
