State of Origin 2023 Game 3 Tips & Predictions

<p>Its operation “save some face” for the Blues in State of Origin Game 3 after they conceded the shield to the Maroons in Game 2.</p> <p>Staring down a dreaded clean sweep, can the Blues rally in front of their home fans? Or does more Maroon induced misery await?</p> <p>With just pride to play for, head coach Brad Fittler has opted to shake up his side and blood a host of fresh talent.</p> <p>This could very well be the final game of the Brad Fittler era for NSW, with reports indicating he will be replaced at series end.</p> <p>If so, his side will want to ensure they don’t send him out on a whitewash, although you’d wager Queensland couldn’t think of a more fitting farewell.</p> <p>Can Freddy finally get it right in his potential swan song? Or will the Maroons seal the first Origin clean sweep since 2010?</p> <p>Our State of Origin Game 3 tips and predictions are below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NSW Player to Watch</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Bradman Best</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The pick no one saw coming is naturally the one to keep an eye on. Newcastle centre Bradman Best launched himself into Freddy’s team at the eleventh hour with a stunning hattrick against the bulldogs.</p> <p>It appears the Blues have adopted a “strike while the iron is hot” mentality with Best, who had done little to press his case for selection prior to his clinic against the Dogs.</p> <p>They say consistency is key, well maybe not for the Blues, maybe a mercurial talent with momentum on his side is what they need to finally breach that maroon wall.</p> <p>Best was always billed for representative football due to his athletic abilities, but never managed to string together enough consistent performances to be considered for selection.</p> <p>Well, now he gets his chance. Will he take it with both hands? Or will this left-field selection blow up in Freddy’s face as so many of his self-proclaimed “gambles” have in the past? We’ll find out on Wednesday night.</p>

<h2>QLD Player to Watch</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Corey Horsburgh</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Canberra firebrand Corey Horsburgh has finally forced his way into Billy Slater’s side.</p> <p>The rampaging redhead has been knocking on the door all series long and finally gets his chance after Tom Flegler succumbed to a foot injury.</p> <p>He has been in sensational form for the Green Machine this season and his ability to play virtually anywhere in the forwards will provide a perfect option off the pine for the Maroons.</p> <p>Known for his aggression and sometimes reckless behaviour, how Horsburgh handles the Origin cauldron will be something to keep a close eye on.</p> <p>Players of his ilk usually go one of two ways. They either channel their aggression and put in a defensive display for the ages where they cut down anyone who comes near them. Or they lose their head, do something incredibly stupid and get sent off. Regardless of which transpires, it’s sure to make for excellent television.</p>

<h2>State of Origin Game 3 Final Tips &amp; Predictions</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Obviously after winning the first two games of the series to already have the shield safe and secure, Queensland enter Game 3 as the favourites in the Head-to-Head market (H2H).</p> <p>For those quick to back a Maroons’ clean sweep there are a few important things to remember.</p> <p>Firstly, in seven of the last eight Origin dead rubbers, the team trailing 2-0 has won Game 3.</p> <p>Secondly, the Blues are playing at home and despite this effectively being a meaningless tie, according to reports Accor Stadium is set to sell out before Wednesday night.</p> <p>With the blue wall behind them baying for a reaction, surely, they’ll be up for this one.</p> <p>Finally, clean sweeps aren’t as easy to obtain as people might think. The last time one happened was in 2010.</p> <p>With no Reece Walsh at the back either and the shield already secured, you could forgive Queensland for psychologically switching off and allowing NSW to save some face and sneak a hard-fought win.</p> <p>Final prediction: NSW 1 to 12, Under Total Match Points, Tabuai-Fidow Anytime Try Scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>State of Origin Game 3 Odds</h2>

<h2>NSW State of Origin Game 3 Team</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>1. James Tedesco © (Sydney Roosters)</p> <p>2. Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>3. Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>4. Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights)</p> <p>5. Josh Addo-Carr (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)</p> <p>6. Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs)</p> <p>7. Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)</p> <p>8. Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)</p> <p>9. Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)</p> <p>10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels)</p> <p>11. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>12. Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)</p> <p>13. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)</p> <p>14. Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>15. Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)</p> <p>16. Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>17. Clint Gutherson (Parramatta Eels)</p> <p>18. Scott Drinkwater (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>19. Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>QLD State of Origin Game 3 Team</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>1. AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)</p> <p>2. Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)</p> <p>3. Valentine Holmes (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (The Dolphins)</p> <p>5. Murray Taulagi (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>6. Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)</p> <p>7. Daly Cherry-Evans © (Manly Sea Eagles)</p> <p>8. Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>9. Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)</p> <p>10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)</p> <p>11. David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)</p> <p>12. Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>13. Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)</p> <p>14. Ben Hunt (St George Illawarra Dragons)</p> <p>15. Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)</p> <p>16. Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans)</p> <p>17. Corey Horsburgh (Canberra Raiders)</p> <p>18. Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys)</p> <p>19. J’maine Hopgood (Parramatta Eels)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>State of Origin Game 3 Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>· &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<em> Location: </em>Accor Stadium, Sydney.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>· &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <em>Date:</em> Wednesday, July 12, 2023</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>· &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <em>Kick-off time:</em> 8:05pm AEST&nbsp;</p>