The deciding game of the 2024 State of Origin series will see NSW and Queensland head to the cauldron of Suncorp Stadium for what is set to be an epic battle.
The first two games of the series were blowouts either way, with Queensland winning in Sydney after Joseph Suaalii was sent off after eight minutes, before NSW got revenge with a dominant first half laying the platform for a big win in Game 2.
Take a look at the team lists for Game 3 of the 2024 State of Origin series below:
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Queensland Maroons confirmed team list for State of Origin Game 3
1. Reece Walsh
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Dane Gagai
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Valentine Holmes
6. Tom Dearden
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
15. Moeaki Fotuaika
14. Harry Grant
16. Felise Kaufusi
8. Reuben Cotter
11. Kurt Capewell
13. Patrick Carrigan
9. Ben Hunt
10. Lindsay Collins
12. Jeremiah Nanai
17. Kalyn Ponga
18. Trent Loiero
20. Reed Mahoney
Maroons team news:
Slater had plenty to ponder after the horror show at the MCG with questions around whether he would stick solid or make some changes for Game III.
In the end, injuries to Murray Taulagi and Xavier Coates forced his hand, seeing Dane Gagai and Selwyn Cobbo come into the starting side, with Valentine Holmes pushed from centre to wing.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow suffered a shoulder injury during the 38-18 loss but eventually returned to the fray in the second half to bag a four-pointer. The Dolphins star has been cleared to play for the decider.
Jaydn Su'A has made way for Kurt Capewell in the backrow, while there's still no room for David Fifita.
Capewell will line up alongside Jeremiah Nanai, with Ben Hunt starting at hooker and Patrick Carrigan at lock.
The front-row pairing of Lindsay Collins and Reuben Cotter remains the same.
In a significant boost, Kalyn Ponga comes onto the bench to provide some X-factor, while Harry Grant will also start off the pine and look to exploit some tired Blues defenders.
Moeaki Fotuaika and Felise Kaufusi make up the 17.
However, in a raft of late changes, Slater has completely reconfigured his forward pack.
Fotuaika and Kaufusi will start up front together with Collins dropping back to the bench and Cotter moving to the backrow.
Grant will start at dummy-half with Hunt to come off the pine, where he is joined by Nanai.
New South Wales Blues confirmed team list for State of Origin Game 3
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Brian To’o
3. Bradman Best
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Zac Lomax
6. Jarome Luai
7. Mitch Moses
8. Jake Trbojevic
9. Reece Robson
10. Payne Haas
11. Liam Martin
12. Angus Crichton
13. Cameron Murray
14. Connor Watson
15. Isaah Yeo
16. Mitch Barnett
17. Spencer Leniu
18. Matt Burton
Blues team news:
Michael Maguire was always set to have a nervous wait across the weekend to see if his stars remained injury and suspension free.
The coach was likely to name an unchanged side for the decider at Suncorp Stadium after they produced a stellar display in Game II.
However, these plans were thrown into disarray after news emerged of an injury to Latrell Mitchell.
Bradman Best has been brought in to replace the injured South Sydney star, but not before he had his own injury drama.
The Knights centre was sent for testing on a possible hamstring issue after being called up but has since been cleared to play.
In the only other change to a winning side, Maguire has opted to bring Mitch Barnett onto his bench in the place of Haumole Olakau’atu.
Joseph Sua'a'li'i, who was infamously sent off in Game 1, was added to the extended squad after an injury to Roosters teammate Luke Keary.
