Everything you need to know about State of Origin game three: When and how to watch, the stats that matter and latest news

4 months ago 38

The Blues and Maroons will square off in a decider in Brisbane
Suncorp Stadium has been a graveyard for New South Wales
However Queensland is coming off record flogging in SOO II

By Josh Alston For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:36 BST, 16 July 2024 | Updated: 02:36 BST, 16 July 2024

The Maroons are aiming for their third consecutive State of Origin series win as the series moves to Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night in one of the most highly anticipated interstate clashes in years.

Queensland will have to recover from their 38-18 defeat by NSW in Game Two, enjoying the home advantage at the sold-out stadium. Historically, the Maroons have a strong record in deciders, winning nine of the last 10.

The Maroons' dominance in deciders at Suncorp Stadium is a huge advantage, with their last loss in such a scenario occurring in 2005.

However, NSW is buoyed by their recent win and coach Michael Maguire has maintained a stable lineup for the decisive clash.

This will be the fourth time in six years that the series has gone to a decider, with both teams having secured significant wins in the earlier games.

How to watch the game

Broadcast: The game will be available live on Channel Nine and streaming on 9Now.

Kick-off Times:

8:05pm AEST: ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, VIC
7:35pm ACST: NT, SA
6:05pm AWST: WA

Key statistics

New South Wales has all the momentum after smashing the Maroons in the second Origin clash in Melbourne (pictured)

Suncorp Stadium has become a graveyard for travelling NSW teams and electric players like Reece Walsh (pictured) will be looking to maintain that record

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Queensland's Record: The Maroons have won 65% of their State of Origin matches at Suncorp Stadium, including four of the last five. In deciders, they have won 11 of 13.

Recent Decider: In the 2022 decider, Queensland overcame a 12-10 half-time deficit to win 22-12, with Ben Hunt scoring the decisive try.

Recent matches at Suncorp Stadium

2019: QLD 18-14
2020: QLD 20-14
2021: NSW 26-0
2022: QLD 22-12
2023: QLD 32-6

Current Series Statistics:

Both teams have scored 9 tries each this series.

Key Players: Zac Lomax and Dylan Edwards (NSW) have scored in both matches; Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (QLD) has scored four tries.

Wingers and centres have accounted for 50 per cent of the tries.

Performance insights

NSW has completed 21 of 22 sets by halftime in each of the first two games this year but has struggled in the second halves.

Queensland has been strong in the second halves, scoring at least three tries in four of the last five games.

Queensland has also outperformed New South Wales in line breaks, achieving 12 compared to the Blues' nine. They also average nearly one metre more per run.

New South Wales, under coach Michael Maguire, has excelled in several areas this series. They have gained more run metres, post-contact metres, offloads, and tackle breaks than Queensland.

Their average play-the-ball speed is faster at 3.4 seconds compared to Queensland's 3.71 seconds. NSW's sets have been more effective, advancing an average of 45.8 metres per set versus Queensland's 41.5 metres.

Penrith Panthers players Brian To'o and Liam Martin have been particularly effective, with the fastest play-the-ball speeds at 2.9 and 2.95 seconds, respectively, the only players under three seconds.

The first Queensland player on this list is Tom Dearden, ranked eighth with an average play-the-ball speed of 3.22 seconds from eight play-the-balls over two games.

Player news

Bradman Best returns to the Origin arena at the expense of injured star Latrell Mitchell

Newcastle skipper Kalyn Ponga returns from injury for Queensland and will add another potent point of attack off the bench

NSW: Bradman Best is expected to play after overcoming hamstring tightness. Matt Burton will be the 18th man.

Queensland: Kalyn Ponga will play from the bench, with plans to utilize his dynamic play alongside Reece Walsh. Harry Grant is anticipated to play despite a sternum injury. There’s speculation that the Maroons could make a late change by starting Harry Grant at dummy-half and Mo Fotuaika in the front row. If this occurs, Ben Hunt and Lindsay Collins would be moved to the bench.

Team lineups

NSW Blues

New South Wales captain Jake Trbojevic will be looking to defy history with the Blues