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Key events
Ashley Klein is the man in the middle once more. He was crucial on opening night, he’ll be hoping he has less to do in the decider.
Billy Slater matches with: “It’s been a great prep”.
Tactically: “Be confident and go and get your game… Chase your game, go and get it.”
“The boys are really dialled in,” enthuses Laurie Daley. “They know what they need to do. They just have to do it.”
Tactically: “Expect some different interchange plans”.
The two five eighths have said a few words on their ways into Suncorp Stadium.
“Don’t go chasing points or opportunities,” was Cameron Munster’s insight. “Win the little moments that can build into big moments.”
Nathan Cleary’s mantra: “Control”.
Speaking of Channel 9, this is the kind of night they would have previously looked to roll out Karl Stefanovic. Not any more.
Andrew Abdo has just been on Channel Nine spruiking the NRL’s new massive broadcast deal.
Nine Entertainment and Foxtel have retained the media rights to the NRL in a $5.3bn deal which will see the games aired on the free-to-air network and the global streaming company DAZN until 2034.
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chair Peter V’landys said the seven-year agreement from 2028 marked “a defining moment for rugby league”…
V’landys claimed the NRL was “the most viewed program in Australia and in the Pacific”.
“Don’t listen to what other people tell you, especially down south, we are the No 1-viewed sport in Australia,” he said. “The deal future-proofs the game for everybody … our ambition is to grow the game globally.”
NSW XIII
NSW: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Bradman Best, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Payne Haas, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Mitch Barnett, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo (c).
Interchange: 14. Cameron Murray, 15. Addin Fonua-Blake, 16. Haumole Olakau’atu, 17. Blayke Brailey, 18. Ethan Strange, 19 Tolutau Koula.
Reserve: 20. Victor Radley
Queensland XIII
QLD: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Selwyn Cobbo, 3. Robert Toia, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Jojo Fifita, 6. Cameron Munster (c), 7. Sam Walker, 8. Thomas Flegler, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Reuben Cotter.
Interchange: 14. Max Plath, 15. Pat Carrigan, 16. Jeremiah Nanai, 17. Trent Loiero, 18. Reece Walsh, 19. Murray Taulagi.
Reserve: 20. Corey Horsburgh
Since the beginning of the three-game Origin series in 1982, there have been 10 deciders played in Queensland; seven have been won by the home state, three by NSW and a sole draw in 1999.
This series’ game three looks to be an uphill battle for the Blues after they were battered in front of a Queensland-centric crowd at the MCG in game two. In Brisbane, it will be a different story again, and there are doubts about whether the Blues can win the decider against a loud and proud Maroons crowd at home.
If Martin brings the mayhem, Cleary plays a blinder and Best finds room to gallop, NSW can give their longsuffering coach a sweet goodbye. But if Queensland pick up where they left off in Melbourne and snap NSW’s spirit with an early points blitz, the Suncorp earth might open up and swallow the men in Blue as it has so many others.
Preamble
Jonathan Howcroft
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of men’s State of Origin Game 3. Kick-off between Queensland and New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium is scheduled for 8.05pm AEST.
This midwinter Wednesday has already treated us to a Lionel Messi miracle, a Novak Djokovic Centre Court epic, and 40C temperatures in Le Tour, but trust me, the best is yet to come. Hubristic? Not a chance. This is a rivalry and spectacle that never fails to deliver.
For the third year in a row and the 25th occasion in Origin history Queensland and New South Wales require a deciding game to establish which heavyweight will take ownership of the shield.
The Maroons start as favourites. They have home advantage, a settled squad, a superior coach, and the wind in their sails following a comprehensive victory in Melbourne three weeks ago. The series would already be in the bag were it not for Kalyn Ponga’s indiscretion and James Tedesco’s brilliance in Sydney.
Laurie Daley is under the pump and his latest team selection does little to suggest that his latest stint as Blues coach has been spent following a meticulously prepared masterplan. Billy Slater, by contrast has made only one change to his starting XIII all series.
I’ll be back with final team lists and more shortly. Please send me your emails and keep me company throughout the evening. The address is [email protected].
