2023 State of Origin Game 3 Preview, Predictions: Blues Vs Maroons

Matt Attard previews the final Origin for 2023, with Queensland chasing a 3-0 sweep and NSW looking to restore pride.

MATCHDAY NEWS

MATCHDAY SCHEDULE

New South Wales Blues Vs Queensland Maroons
Venue: Accor Stadium, Homebush
Date: Wednesday July 12, 8:05pm

MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS

New South Wales Blues: 1. James Tedesco (c) (Sydney Roosters), 2. Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers), 3. Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers), 4. Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights), 5. Josh Addo-Carr (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), 6. Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 7. Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), 8. Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), 9. Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels), 11. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers), 12. Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 13. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 14. Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers), 15. Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights), 16. Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys), 17. Clint Gutherson (Parramatta Eels), 18. Scott Drinkwater (North Queensland Cowboys), 19. Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers).

Queensland Maroons: 1. AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), 2. Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm), 3. Valentine Holmes (North Queensland Cowboys), 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), 5. Murray Taulagi (North Queensland Cowboys), 6. Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (C) (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), 8. Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys), 9. Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm), 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans), 11. David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans), 12. Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys), 13. Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos), 14. Ben Hunt (St George Illawarra Dragons), 15. Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters), 16. Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans), 17. Corey Horsburgh (Canberra Raiders), 18. Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys), 19. J’maine Hopgood (Parramatta Eels).

Referee: Ashley Klein

MATCHDAY PREVIEW

Brad Fittler and his NSW Blues are limping back to Sydney for this dead-rubber game, where the Maroons will hoist the State of Origin shield at full time regardless of the result.

Make no mistake, the Maroons will be gunning for blood, keen for a clean sweep away from home. And they have the team to do it. Unlike their counterparts, the Maroons have stuck solid aside from fullback Reece Walsh, who misses with suspension.

Fittler has swung the axe and shaken up his side, handing debuts to several players – including Bradman Best and Keaon Koloamatangi, while Cody Walker returns to the halves. It comes as Fittler aims to save his job, although some of his selections appear mystifying and perhaps not even a win here can save him.

They just seem to lack the same hunger and drive as Queensland, which is something they’ve been criticised for in the past. While Mitch Moses performed admirably in the second game, things just could not click much like game one. Neither edges saw much ball at all, while Queensland were able to stay in the grind and attack at the perfect moments.

Queensland clearly have the stronger pack and bench rotation again for game three, particularly with Payne Haas injured. It’s hard to see anything other than a whitewash on NSW soil for Billy Slater and his men, which will almost certainly put the final nail in the coffin for Fittler and his selection crew.

LAST TEN MATCHES

Queensland 6, New South Wales 4

MATCHDAY PREDICTION

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