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State of Origin Game 3 Teams

10/07/2023|SB Staff|NRL News

After conceding the series at Suncorp Stadium in Game 2, the NSW Blues have made wholesale changes to their team to try and avoid a dreaded whitewash. As has become a worrying trend (depending on which side of the border you reside), there are more than a few left-field selections in the Blues setup. Head coach Brad Fittler has been heavily scrutinised for some of his decisions this series. With much uncertainty over his future, if this is to be his last game in charge, it appears he is going out on his terms – one bizarre selection at a time. As for his Queensland counterpart Billy Slater, with the shield already tucked safely away, he has only been forced into a few changes due to injury and suspension.   <h3>NSW State of Origin Game 3 Team</h3>   1. James Tedesco ©   Despite being well below his best in Games 1 and 2, NSW’s skipper James Tedesco has retained his spot at the back. With the form of rival fullbacks like Scott Drinkwater, Dylan Edwards and even Clint Gutherson, many believed Freddy would look to the future and pick someone new in the Blues’ No.1 jersey. A loyal servant for NSW, Tedesco has served his state well for many series now, but now on the wrong side of 30, out of form and with numerous alternatives snapping at his heels, this could be his final game in sky blue.   2. Brian To’o   Penrith metre eater has been solid, coming out of trouble all series and being assured under the highball. He hasn’t had many opportunities to show off his finishing abilities so far but to no fault of his own. He deserves to keep his place and will line up once again in the No.2 jersey.   3. Stephen Crichton   Stephen Crichton is another Penrith outside back who has performed admirably under trying circumstances in this series. Even though he lost a foot race to 34-year-old Daly Cherry Evans in Game 2, it’s no surprise to see him lining up again for the Blues.   4. Bradman Best   The first of the truly shocking inclusions is centre Bradman Best. With no prior inclination that he was in the frame for selection, Best forced his way into Fittler’s plans at the eleventh hour. This spot was allegedly reserved for Matt Burton, but after the Knights’ 66-0 mauling of the Belmore boys, in which Best played a starring role scoring a hattrick, Freddy decided to pick the Newcastle centre instead. While he was impressive in that win, it takes more than one game to make an Origin player. Best has spent most of the last two seasons sidelined with injuries. When he debuted in the NRL, he was touted as a future rep player due to his athletic attributes but has yet to really deliver on the hype. The NSW hierarchy has been looking for an excuse to select him ever since and appears to have found one. Will it come back to bite them? We will see come Wednesday night.

5. Josh Addo-Carr   Even though he was on the receiving end of that 66-0 thumping and has been well below his best this season, Josh Addo-Carr has retained his place on the wing. If he turns in another below-par performance, this could also be his last outing in sky blue with the next generation knocking on the door.   6. Cody Walker   Rabbitohs standoff Cody Walker has earned an Origin recall for the first time since 2020, taking over from pantomime villain Jarome Luai. Luai’s antics in Game 2, which saw him get sent off, have finally forced Fittler’s hand, but this switch does seem too little too late. Walker has been the most creative No.6 in the competition over the past two seasons and continues to rack up mind-blowing numbers of assists. A game earlier, and this change could have saved the Blues series. Walker is also 33 years old, so picking him in a dead rubber seems strange. He doesn’t have that long left at the highest level, and with nothing to lose, this game is the perfect opportunity to blood the next generation – Nicho Hynes, anyone?   7. Mitchell Moses   After getting thrown to the wolves in Game 2 and trying his guts out with little to no help from his teammates, Mitchell Moses gets another crack as the main man for NSW. Moses has been exceptional for Parramatta this season, and he’ll be aiming to record his first win in the Origin arena on his third attempt on Wednesday night.   8. Jake Trbojevic   An Injury to starting prop Payne Haas has opened the door for an Origin recall for veteran Jake Trbojevic. Able to play anywhere in the forward line, Jurbo has long been a favourite of Freddy and will no doubt put in another workhorse-like display for his coach.   9. Damien Cook   Damien Cook reverts to his natural position of dummy half after being forced to fill in at centre last time out. Despite having never played centre in his life, Cook was the next man up when Tom Trbojevic went down mere minutes into Game 2. He was terrorised under the high ball all night but managed to score the Blues’ only try and should fare a lot better back in his natural position.

10. Regan Campbell-Gillard   Big RCG is back in blue instead of his Parra teammate Junior Paulo who has been axed. Campbell-Gillard probably would have been in the picture from the start of the series if not for injury, so his inclusion is no real surprise.   11. Liam Martin   Penrith firebrand Liam Martin rightfully retains his place in the second row after being arguably NSW's most consistent performer so far this series.   12. Keaon Koloamatangi   Rabbitohs backrower Keaon Koloamatangi will make his Origin debut in the run-on side after being selected in the second row at the expense of Hudson Young. A damaging line runner, look out for his combination with Cody Walker, which should add some much-needed bite to the Blues' attack.   13. Cameron Murray   Cameron Murray has been promoted to the starting side to play his preferred lock forward position. This change has definitely been brought about due to his combination with new five-eighth Cody Walker and hooker Damien Cook. Murray’s ball-playing and lightning-fast play the ball frees up time and space for the quick feet and hands of Cook and Walker to do their thing and ensure the scoreboard ticks over.   14. Isaah Yeo   The always-consistent Isaah Yeo reverts to the bench to let Cam Murray have a crack at the starting lock role and utilise his club combinations.   15. Jacob Saifiti   Newcastle enforcer Jacob Saifiti has been selected for an Origin recall. This will be only his second appearance for the Blues after making his debut in Game 3 of the 2022 series, where he scored a try.   16. Reece Robson   After getting through a plethora of work and playing the full 80 minutes in his Origin debut, Cowboys hooker Reece Robson has kept his place in Fittler’s 17. Only 25 years of age, no doubt Robson will be the Blues starting No.9 for years to come.   17. Clinton Gutherson   Somewhat of a shock selection for the Blues utility role is Eels fullback Clinton Gutherson. Gutho has been recalled to the Origin arena after featuring for the Blues in 2020 in the centres. He can cover the halves and the outside backs, but as has often been the problem with Freddy’s utilities, where does he feature if there isn’t an injury?

18. Scott Drinkwater   After almost single-handedly turning the Cowboy’s season around, Scott Drinkwater has earned the right to be the Blue's 18th man. However, many believe he should be starting at fullback.   19. Spencer Leniu   Rounding out the squad is Penrith firebrand Spencer Leniu who is in camp as the 19th man.   <h3>QLD State of Origin Game 3 Team</h3>   1. AJ Brimson   Easily the biggest change to Billy Slater’s side is the inclusion of AJ Brimson instead of Reece Walsh. The Titans fullback has been brought in to deputise for the suspended Walsh. Knights’ superstar Kalyn Ponga would have surely been selected if he hadn’t opted out of this series to focus on Newcastle’s season.

2. Xavier Coates   Melbourne wingman Xavier Coates retains his place despite the impressive form of Selwyn Cobbo and will be hoping to score a try or two on the way to a potential whitewash.   3. Valentine Holmes   The Maroons’ goalkicker will once again be on deck to ensure his side goes up in sixes. In recent weeks, Holmes has been in fine touch for his club side, helping the Cowboys rally up the ladder.   4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow   The Hammer justified his selection in the centres ahead of QLD hero Dane Gagai in both Game 1 and 2 and rightfully kept his place for Game 3.   5. Murray Taulagi   Another Cowboy who has been finding the line plenty in recent weeks. Murray Taulagi will be hoping to find it on Wednesday night.   6. Cameron Munster   Main man Munster. The Storm standoff is well on the way to being one of the Origin greats. Delivering a whitewash for the Sunshine State will only further his legacy.

7. Daly Cherry-Evans ©   Captain, leader, halfback. Cherry-Evan has led his side to yet another series win; like his halves partner Munster, he is well on his way to confirming his legacy as one of the Maroons' greatest players.   8. Reuben Cotter   With Thomas Flegler sidelined with a foot injury, Reuben Cotter has been promoted to the starting side.   9. Harry Grant   Harry Grant is back to hold up his end of QLD’s dummy half duet with Ben Hunt.   10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui   Titan’s skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has been a mainstay of the Maroons setup since making his debut back in 2020, and he’ll be lining up in the front row yet again on Wednesday night.   11. David Fifita   Another Titan’s wrecking ball back for more blue blood. David Fifita will be on hand to wreak havoc on the edge for the Maroons.   12. Jeremiah Nanai   Cowboys, cowboys everywhere. Another North Queenslander saddling up for action is Jeremiah Nanai. The 20-year-old was called up for Game 2 for the injured Tom Gilbert and scored the final try of the 32-6 rout as Queensland secured the shield.   13. Patrick Carrigan   Patrick Carrigan – a lock at lock. We’re going to keep using that joke for as long as he gets picked, and it looks like it will be for a very long time.   14. Ben Hunt   Harry Grant’s other half. While his club's future is up in the air, his representative future is not.   15. Lindsay Collins   A shock contender for Man of the Series. Roosters’ front-rower has been superb for the Maroons, nabbing MOTM as his side clinched the shield at Suncorp.   16. Moeaki Fotuaika   Gold Coast enforcer Mo Fotuaika is back on the bench for Game 3 and will look to bring the hits from the pine.   17. Corey Horsburgh   Big Red’s form for Canberra finally became impossible to ignore for Billy Slater while searching for a new bench forward. Corey Horsburgh has been a revelation for the Green Machine this season, and he has been called upon to fill the void left by Tom Flegler.

18. Tom Dearden   Tom Dearden will once again be on standby as 18th man.   19. J’maine Hopgood   Eels’ young gun J’maine Hopgood’s impressive form has earned him a place in the Maroons camp as the 19th man.

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