After a dominant display in a 38-6 win in Perth, New South Wales will have a chance to win their first back-to-back series since 2004-05 when they host Queensland at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.
New South Wales are dominant $1.40 favourites with Ladbrokes to claim back-to-back Series wins for the first time since 2005, while Queensland is out to $3 to bounce back from their Game 2 defeat.
Both sides have been forced into changes from that Perth contest, with the Blues losing players to both injury and suspension.
Nathan Cleary was initially named for the decider after injuring his foot during Game Two, but was withdrawn early into the Blues’ camp and replaced by veteran Mitchell Pearce.
Pearce comes in for his first taste of Origin action since 2017, and is hoping to add a series win to his resume, having been on the losing end of all seven series’ he’s been involved in.
The Blues also lost Tariq Sims to suspension, with enforcer David Klemmer being recalled to the squad, after impressing during Game One but missing the Perth clash through injury.
On the other side of the field, Kalyn Ponga is out for Queensland through injury, with Cameron Munster set to shift to fullback to cover his absence, with debutant Corey Norman set to start at five-eighth in Munster’s position.
Christian Welch comes in for his Origin debut, while Joe Ofahengaue returns to the line-up. Jarrod Wallace and Dylan Napa have been left out after flat performances in Game 2.
The Blues’ pack dominated Game Two with their intensity and pace, with Kevin Walters needing to make changes in the middle of the park to keep his side in the contest.
Both Trbojevic brothers had their way with the Maroons in Perth, with Tom recording three tries while Jake was awarded Man of the Match honours for his 158 run metres and 30 tackles.
No one stood up for Queensland in Game Two, and a number of their stars will need to do so if they’re able to pull off the win away from home.
Captain Daly Cherry-Evans will need to lead his side from the front, while Munster in his new role for the series at fullback will be hoping to improve the output of the Maroons’ No.1’s, with Ponga having a sub-par two matches.
Munster is more than capable of tearing a game apart, so Walters will be hoping the Storm star can light up ANZ Stadium.
The fullback battle will certainly be one to watch, with James Tedesco arguably the best in that position in the game.
Give the usual nature of a State of Origin decider, our best bet for the match with Ladbrokes would be to take the unders on the game total.
With the Ladbrokes line set at 33.5 and the last 10 Origin games in Sydney all falling under, as well as four of the last five Game Three’s, it looks as though it’s a relatively safe bet.
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