If you'd offered Queensland the chance to head to Suncorp Stadium for a deciding match before the Ampol State of Origin series opener in Adelaide they would have gladly taken it.
The tricky thing for the Maroons is they don't have long to turn a game-two drubbing in Sydney into a match-winning performance.
NSW were easily the better side at ANZ Stadium with their middle forwards dominating, Nathan Cleary kicking the Maroons off the park and their back three getting almost every set off to a great start.
The Blues will start at hot favourites despite the match being played in enemy territory as they chase a first three-peat since 2003-05.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 3 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The rundown
Team news
Maroons: Cameron Munster has passed his concussion protocols and the five-eighth will line up for Wednesday’s State of Origin decider despite suffering a head knock in game two last week.
Xavier Coates (groin) failed to get through the Maroons captain’s run and has been replaced by Edrick Lee, who will make his debut on the right wing.
Corey Allan will start at fullback with Valentine Holmes on the wing. Brenko Lee (groin) will debut in the centres after he was passed fit, as expected, with Kurt Capewell moving to the second row. Jaydn Su’A has switched to the bench and Dunamis Lui has dropped out of the squad along with Ben Hunt.
Coates and reserve forward Moeaki Fotuaika were omitted from the initial 21-man squad on Tuesday night.
Blues: NSW coach Brad Fittler on Tuesday said they had no injury concerns and Josh Addo-Carr (toe) will take his place despite being on light duties at the captain's run with reserve winger Nick Cotric filling in on Tuesday.
Cotric was omitted from the 19-man squad 24 hours out, along with Jarome Luai with Cameron McInnes and Ryan Papenhuyzen suffering the same fate in the team announced one hour before kick-off.
Luke Keary and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who were not selected in the 21-man squad for game three, were granted permission to leave camp early to be with their families after a lengthy season in the club and state biosecurity bubbles.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 3 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Maroons is number 5 Corey AllanFullback for Blues is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Maroons is number 1 Valentine HolmesWinger for Blues is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Maroons is number 4 Dane GagaiCentre for Blues is number 3 Clinton Gutherson
-
Centre for Maroons is number 21 Brenko LeeCentre for Blues is number 4 Jack Wighton
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Winger for Maroons is number 19 Edrick LeeWinger for Blues is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Blues is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Maroons is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Blues is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Maroons is number 8 Christian WelchProp for Blues is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
-
Hooker for Maroons is number 9 Jake FriendHooker for Blues is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Maroons is number 10 Josh PapaliiProp for Blues is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Maroons is number 3 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Blues is number 11 Angus Crichton
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2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Tyson Frizell
-
Lock for Maroons is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiLock for Blues is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 12 Jaydn Su'AInterchange for Blues is number 14 Dale Finucane
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 14 Harry GrantInterchange for Blues is number 15 Junior Paulo
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 15 Lindsay CollinsInterchange for Blues is number 16 Nathan Brown
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 16 Jai ArrowInterchange for Blues is number 17 Isaah Yeo
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
Last updated:
Key match-up
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui v Payne Haas. Even if it wasn't for the melee they were involved in during the second half at ANZ Stadium, this duel would have been one worth watching.
Two of the best young forwards in the NRL are both capable of turning a match with either a powerful run or crunching tackle. Their personal battle adds further spice what looms as a great series decider.
Match Highlights: Blues v Maroons
Stat Attack
Such was the metre-eating dominance of the Blues forwards and the mastery of Nathan Cleary's kicking game on the back of that, the Maroons back-three were able to muster just 46 kick return metres for the match.
That's why we saw Queensland starting sets of six inside their own 20-metre area so often. In contrast, NSW had 283 kick return metres.
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