Blues, Maroons finalise teams for Origin showdown

Jasper Bruce |

Queensland captain Cameron Munster and NSW counterpart Isaah Yeo go toe-to-toe in Brisbane.
Queensland captain Cameron Munster and NSW counterpart Isaah Yeo go toe-to-toe in Brisbane.

The teams have been finalised for the State of Origin decider with NSW and Queensland both taking unchanged line-ups into Suncorp Stadium.

NSW are hoping to atone from a 44-24 thrashing in Origin II and avoid losing the series after leading 1-0 for the second year running.

Defeat for the Maroons would mean they will become the first Queensland team to lose consecutive game-three deciders in Brisbane, having fallen in Origin III of 2024.

In total, NSW have won three of 13 deciders played at Suncorp Stadium – 1994, 2005 and 2024 – with current coach Laurie Daley captaining the Blues to the first of those.

Nine Blues players from Origin III of 2024 are lining up on Wednesday, while Queensland’s team sheet features 10 members of the side that won last year’s decider.

Back-up playmaker Ethan Strange overcame a minor ankle injury suffered during camp to take his place on the Blues’ bench.

Bostock
NSW’s Jack Bostock is the only player on either side to be making his Origin debut. (AAP PHOTOS)

Left winger Jack Bostock is the only player on either side making his debut and will become the first Dolphins player to represent NSW.

Cameron Munster captains Queensland in Brisbane for the first time after replacing Daly Cherry-Evans as skipper midway through last series.

Queensland halfback Sam Walker and his NSW rival Nathan Cleary enter the game as favourites to win the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series.

Cleary and Walker were named man of the match in games one and two, respectively.

Recalled into the Maroons set-up this year, winger Selwyn Cobbo is another candidate for the Wally Lewis Medal after a blistering performance in game two.

AAP