Key events
“You watch this and realise it doesn’t matter if it’s England or GB, either way we get walloped,” emails Chris Taberner.
Staying with the northern hemisphere perspective, I’ll leave you with this lovely read and make myself a cup of tea.
“What an amazing defensive display by the Maroons in the first half,” emails Harry Sachar. “Brilliant game.” Too right. Absolutely breathtaking. All 34 of those blokes are earning their match fees tonight.
Half-time: Queensland 2-0 NSW
And that’s the final kick of the half. And what a half it was. Brutal, brilliant, and played at breakneck speed. NSW dominated with and without the ball, but somehow it’s Queensland who lead.
GOAL! Queensland 2-0 NSW (Holmes, 40)
From 20m out, just to the right of the posts, Valentine Holmes dabs the home side in front.
39 mins: The first scrum of the night goes to Queensland just inside their own half. The Maroons try to free Walsh but NSW are onto the young flyer quickly. Tabuai-Fidow engineers space on the left but the Blues stand their ground. Back to the right come Queensland. This is their best attacking set of the half. Walsh is busy again. DCE finally has an attacking kicking opportunity – and Leniu flattens the Queensland skipper after he kicks. Clear penalty. Somehow the Maroons could be leading at half-time.
38 mins: How are Queensland doing this? Now Tabuai-Fidow steps off his line to take To’o man and ball and force a turnover. This is the stuff of Lang Park legend.
37 mins: Invited to put in another shift the Queensland defence is put through its paces – and you’ll never guess – they do incredibly. After withstanding a shove up the guts the Blues look to have unlocked the left corner with Angus Crichton, but his offload is just off target. Edwards keeps the ball alive and in no time it’s jabbed by Stephen Crichton to the right corner, but two despairing Maroons defenders slide across to send the ball out of play.
35 mins: The Blues come again but THEY SHALL NOT PASS! Queensland’s defence has been unbelievable, and the home side stands tall again before smothering Moses on the last tackle. Dearden runs away with the ball but Queensland don’t make it far before DCE loses the ball in contact with Best! This is mayhem!
35 mins: NSW resume their assault on the Queensland line. How have they not scored yet? Yeo almost barges through, then Leniu. Ooof! The latter is stopped in large part by the bridge of Ben hunt’s nose. There’s a stoppage for the utility to be patched up, but he’ll be off soon for an HIA. That looked ugly.
34 mins: NSW win easy ball and enjoy another full set from 20m. Make it a seven tackle set with a near immediate set restart. The Blues can smell blood and go for the jugular straight away, carving to the right to exploit the 12v12 space. Stephen Crichton looks to be in but his dive to the right corner is a fraction short and under pressure from Dearden and Tabuai-Fidow loses possession before he slides over the line. No try – but a penalty to NSW for Walsh stabbing a boot into the play as Crichton slid over.
32 mins: Play resumes with Moses kicking deep and inviting his forwards to attack from 20m. Early in the set Luai and Edwards try their luck running along the line. Then Edwards tries to straighten up but the Queensland defence – which has been superb all night – stands tall. Luai’s kick on the last is perfectly weighted and forces Dearden to catch on the run and concede a line drop-out.
Yellow Cards! (Nanai & Murray 31)
Ashley Klein, with the help of his TMO, determines that the penalty was against DCE for infringing Luai. He then issues a yellow to Nanai for coming in over the top, and one to Murray – who was on the interchange at the time. DCE is furious. He thinks Murray deserves more.
Melee!
32 mins: After Queensland spilled the ball NSW broke down the left through Best, but for the second time tonight instead of dashing into space he loses the ball! Behind play DCE and Luai start grabbing each other and it brings teammates flying in from all sides. It’s just in front of the Queensland dugout so the home bench empties as bodies spill onto the turf. There’s mayhem, but no obvious punches thrown.
31 mins: Walsh hasn’t looked fully fit for a few minutes with a foot or ankle injury, and he invites Barnett to tackle him on the ground after slipping – which the debutant takes with relish. The Maroons keep going though and earn a set restart but Walsh can’t find Capewell when he steps into the line and the Blues escape.
29 mins: Dearden has been Queensland’s best in possession by a country mile, and another show-and-go almost pierces the NSW defensive line. It doesn’t, but it still sets up good field position, and for the first time all night the Blues struggle to clear their lines and Moses has to kick from inside his own 30.
27 mins: Leniu, then Angus Crichton pound the Queensland defence with malice aforethought. Crichton is like a man possessed tonight. But Moses misses his mark with his boot. And Walsh gets lucky – slipping, allowing the bomb to bounce, then watching it dribble out of play.
25 mins: No Queenslander can make ground either before or after contact. The Blues pack is dominating with and without the ball. But finally the pace is starting to relent as fatigue sets in. This favours Queensland who are happy just to exchange some midfield sets.
23 mins: And Lomax steals it! It wasn’t even a contest. He is so good in the air. Back on even terms after scares at both ends, but the pace remains relentless.
22 mins: Cobbo wins the aerial contest and marks Cherry-Evans’ drop-out – and Queensland breathe a sigh of relief once more. Not only that but Dearden makes a linebreak – and should have received a penalty for a high hit by Luai – but he makes enough ground to allow DCE to dab a grubber to force a line dropout at the other end.
20 mins: DCE shanks his short drop-out and the Blues get a full set 20m out. On tackle four Lomax is almost set free on the right. He stands up Holmes one-on-one but the defence is solid and the Maroons scramble. On the last the kick goes high to the right corner where Lomax taps it back. The Blues keep it alive in broken play, spread to the left and Best drops the ball onto his toe to instigate another drop out! NSW are pushing hard.
18 mins: The speed and intensity remains awesome. It’s like the opening set of the match has been repeated 30 times. How do they do it? Queensland continue to struggle to make ground and after Luai dabs a beautiful kick to the left corner Walsh is lucky not to concede a drop-out, but then Cobbo is nailed by Murray a tackle later and the Blues get their reward.
Meanwhile, DCE and Angus Crichton (who passed his HIA) almost come to blows.
17 mins: Darren Lockyer reports from the sideline that the Maroons are starting to blow from all their defensive work and Nanai is already on in place of Kaufusi. Remember this is a light Queensland bench.
15 mins: The Blues keep it tight through the corridor and earn a set restart. Two tackles later Luai tries to shimmy his way through a forest of Maroon jerseys only to slip over. Then Dearden pummels Martin on the burst taking man and ball and forcing a spillage! What a tackle! Queensland loved that, giving the NSW enforcer some of his own medicine. The Blues have been the better side so far but the Maroons have found a big defensive play when it’s mattered.
14 mins: Both teams are defending superbly, laying massive hits in midfield and chasing like animals. The ball carriers are not backing off though with willing runners from both sides – especially the Blues – relishing the physicality. Edwards again almost breaks the game open, but play is called back for a late hit by Capewell on Moses. The Eel picks himself off and kicks his side to the 20m line.
12 mins: Queensland finally gain some territory with a solid set after the knock-on penalty, but NSW dig themselves out of a hole in defence with the pumping legs of To’o and the mass of Haas enabling Moses to kick long downfield and even the field position.
10 mins: The Blues set up camp 30m out and begin to grind. Haas looks imposing tonight. But DCE to the rescue again! He has already been instrumental, and he rushes off the line to hustle a handling error out of Luai and calm things down for Queensland. This has been a blistering start.
Other news: Angus Crichton has been categorised as a stage two HIA so he will be off for at least 15 minutes. The wind is favouring NSW.
8 mins: Edwards almost does break the game open with a step on the right edge, but Queensland scramble. Moses then tries to grubber and chase on the last, attempting to milk an obstruction penalty, but Klein isn’t interested. Cherry-Evans saves the try, but again Queensland make little ground the other way. NSW collect possession just 10m inside their own half, and they’re soon awarded an attacking penalty when Cotter and Capewell tip Stephen Crichton in a tackle.
6 mins: An early FYI – the stadium clock isn’t working, so my timings are just guesses at this stage! Back on the field, NSW execute another solid set with Walsh this time handling a dangerous bomb excellently. The young fullback is into the action again with a long kick on the last tackle after his forwards couldn’t clear their own 20m zone. NSW have the upper hand in field position. Can they take advantage?
4 mins: Now a few players come together after NSW are awarded the first penalty of the game for Holmes coming off the line early and lining up Martin. Moses kicks downfield but then Murray is cleaned up by Carrigan, then Trbojevic by Cotter, then Martin is flattened! This is brutal. NSW make it to the last and Moses hoists up a bomb that Holmes deals with, with aplomb. Queensland grind their way to halfway before kicking deep. The chase is outstanding with Dearden landing another meaty blow in contact.
2 mins: Queensland take possession on halfway and get to work straight away. It’s largely broken field footy at breakneck speed. It ends with Cobbo being bundled into touch near the right corner on the last. Meanwhile behind play Angus Crichton is off early with a stinger to his neck after being fended off by the rampaging Walsh. Debutant Barnett is on early as the HIA replacement.
1 min: Haas takes the first carry and it’s a beauty, with plenty of metres after contact. Lomax and Martin then take hit-ups before the Blues get going down the left! Through hands it reaches Crichton who slips Best into space and he bursts down the touchline. Is this an opening set try!? No! Cherry-Evans with the despairing ankle tap to not only bring Best to ground but spill the ball loose in contact.
Kick-off!
Reece Walsh boots the Origin decider into life…
The pregame formalities conclude with a minute’s silence in honour of long-serving rugby league commentator David Morrow who died earlier today.
The home side are taking their time, letting NSW stew in the Queensland cauldron. But now here they come, top to toe in maroon, led by Daly Cherry-Evans, and Suncorp goes wild. This is a special atmosphere.
Here come the Blues in their sky blue jerseys and navy blue shorts. You can tell they’re out onto the turf because the boos raining down from the stands are deafening!
“Just a quick question,” emails Deborah Morris, “why oh why are the games soooo late? It’s crazy! There is a lead up most of the day for supporters but by the time it’s on – especially for the oldies – they’re ready for bed before the game starts! Not to mention the younger supporters with an earlier curfew. I’m sure I say this for many people, the games should be much earlier.”
I am 100% on board Deborah. Not only that, but the advertised start time for events like this is always an approximation. Then throw in an extended half-time and it’ll be gone 10pm by the time we know the series winner.
The answer, unsurprisingly, is TV. This is primetime and the perfect window for broadcasters to stuff their programming with adverts and cross promotions.
“They’re on,” says Andrew Johns from the Blues’ warm-up area, before predicting early “fireworks” like a superhero movie villain.
Instead of playing, Munster is stood alongside Brad Fittler on punditry duty. They stand and applaud as The King, Wally Lewis, delivers the match ball to the centre spot.
As the Origin decider montages crank up the feels it’s impossible to ignore the impact Cameron Munster has had for Queensland on nights like this. The injured Storm five-eighth will be sorely missed.
Michael Maguire just gave Paul Gallen absolutely nothing with a brief prematch chat in the sheds. Billy Slater was more forthcoming with Paul Vautin, explaining his reasoning for selecting an entirely new starting front row. “We just think those guys will give us a positive start,” Slater said. “The guys on the bench will give us a lot of energy when they come on. That’s the best way to go in the game.
I don’t think you get anything unless you work for it. We didn’t get the start right in Melbourne. Get the start right in Melbourne. Get the start right, work hard through the middle, we will give ourselves a chance.”
It’s cool, dry, and clear in Brisbane tonight, but the pitch is reportedly rock hard and there’s a brisk westerly breeze that will definitely be a factor.
Ashley Klein retains the whistle for the third and final match of the series. He dismissed Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i in Origin I then sent a couple of brawlers to the bin in Origin II. There’s every chance he’ll be busy again tonight with the series on the line.
NSW half Mitchell Moses was all business when he spoke to Paul Gallen. Asked what the Blues needed to do tonight, the Eels No 7 responded: “Kick well, finish our sets, get them coming off our line and take it to them. They’re not happy with the way they performed game two so they’ll come out fired up, so are we.”
Queensland veteran Ben Hunt had a word with Johnathan Thurston on the team bus on the way into the stadium.
“Mate, it’s going to be a fast, physical game. They’re going to come out similar to what they did in Melbourne. We need to match that. I think it’s going to be won in the middle, through the trenches with the big boys. That’s going to start in the first 20 minutes.”
Some sad news today with the announcement of the death of rugby league commentator David Morrow.
NSW XVII
Michael Maguire has been forced into making just one change to his run-on side for the decider with Bradman Best replacing the injured Latrell Mitchell in the centres. Madge has also tweaked his bench with Mitchell Barnett set to make his Origin debut, with Haumole Olakau’atu missing out.
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To’o 3. Bradman Best 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Zac Lomax 6. Jarome Luai 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jake Trbojevic (c) 9. Reece Robson 10. Payne Haas 11. Liam Martin 12. Angus Crichton 13. Cameron Murray
Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. Isaah Yeo 16. Mitchell Barnett 17. Spencer Leniu
Reserves: 18. Matt Burton
Queensland XVII
Hamstring injuries to Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi have forced Billy Slater into a backline reshuffle. Veteran Dane Gagai is recalled, Selwyn Cobbo moves up from the interchange, and Valentine Holmes shifts to the wing. Kurt Capewell also gets a start after beginning Origin II on the bench, with Jaydn Su’A dropping out. But his place in the 17 is not taken by another forward (not even the still overlooked David Fifita) but a utility back, the mercurial Kalyn Ponga, finally fit and healthy for his first Origin outing since 2022.
Slater has also sprung a few last minute changes with Harry Grant, Moeaki Fotuaika, and Felise Kaufusi in the run-on side after being listed on the interchange. The result frees up Ben Hunt to pinch hit, a role he will have to perform expertly with only two big forwards alongside him on the pine.
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. Pat Carrigan
Interchange: 9. Ben Hunt 10. Lindsay Collins 12. Jeremiah Nanai 17. Kalyn Ponga
Reserve: 18. Trent Loiero
How do the Maroons bounce back from defeat in Origin II? By unleashing the two-headed fullback monster.
It’s unquestionably a bold move that has Queensland fans both salivating and palpitating. Fullbacks have been named on lighter Origin benches before, including as recently as Clint Gutherson for the Blues last year, but New South Wales this year enjoy a clear size mismatch. Alongside Ponga on the bench the Maroons have hooker Harry Grant, leaving only two dedicated interchange forwards where the Blues have four.
Jack Snape sets the scene ahead of NSW’s mission impossible.
In a room already full of large men inside the New South Wales camp this week sat an elephant. The team has been preparing for rugby league’s mission impossible – conjuring a Blues victory in a State of Origin decider in Brisbane on Wednesday. NSW have achieved the feat just twice in more than 40 years and it is one of rugby league’s highest mountains, a fact that so neatly encapsulates Queensland’s Origin dominance.
Jack Snape is our man in Brisbane this evening, making sure the Maroons get into Suncorp safely.
Preamble
Jonathan Howcroft
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of State of Origin Game III between Queensland and New South Wales. Kick-off in the series decider at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane is 8.05pm (AEST).
A topsy-turvy Origin series reaches its climax with another blockbuster game three with everything on the line.
Queensland have home advantage but NSW have momentum. The Maroons have pedigree but the Blues have a settled line-up. Billy Slater has made a bold late selection call that will shape his tenure, Michael Maguire made his statement selections weeks ago and tonight is their moment of truth.
It’s been a promising start for Maguire. Victory last time out in Melbourne came after his side fought valiantly with only 12 men for most of the opening match of the series. He also has no shortage of experience in breaking hoodoos having ended droughts with South Sydney, Wigan, and New Zealand before taking over NSW.
After a couple of stellar series in charge of the Maroons, it’s been harder to assess Billy Slater’s output this time around. Origin I was a gimme after the early red card, then the first half in Melbourne was an all-time shocker.
His Queensland pack has been unfamiliarly lightweight, making David Fifita’s continued absence puzzling, and instead of bolstering that area for the decider Slater has doubled down on his backs running the show, recalling Kalyn Ponga to the bench at the expense of an interchange forward.
With everything to play for it promises to be another classic in Brisbane.
If you’d like to get in touch while I’m on, please fire all communication to jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com.
