The most entertaining of dead rubbers, State of Origin Game 3, is a day away, and here are The Roar‘s expert tips and predictions for the game.
Last game’s tips were a great success once again, with over 1200 responses from Roarers picking Queensland as the winner with a 75 per cent majority. A big thanks to everybody for embracing the concept and getting involved.
At the moment our leaderboard is:
Mary – 1
Lachlan – 2
Tim – 1
Curtis – 0
Joe – 0
Patrick – 2
The Crowd – 2
There are a few changes in the State of Origin teams for Game 3, which make for some interesting reading and have no doubt influenced which way our tipsters have gone in this one. In fact, we’re pretty sure Mary and Paddy can feel quite alone in picking the Maroons even though the bookies have them as slight favourites.
Hopefully we get another cracking Origin occasion at ANZ Stadium.
Here are our tips for Game 3.
More Origin
» Laurie Daley’s survival guide: How many points can he lose by?
» Why NSW will win Game 3
» Why Queensland will win Game 3
» Final NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons line-ups
Mary Konstantopoulos: Maroons
“Finally, James Tedesco gets his opportunity and I’m predicting that he will be the difference tomorrow. NSW will end this series the way they want to begin next year, with a win.”
Lachlan Bickley: Blues
“NSW may have improved their squad a little for this game but the real changes will (hopefully) begin next year. Queensland to sweep.”
Tim Gore: Blues
“Dead rubbers most frequently go with the home side. Against all my better instincts I’m going with a NSW win.”
Curtis Woodward: Blues
“Might as well tip New South Wales again. Much of the pressure is off and we’ll see some good footy which will suit the young Blues down to the ground.”
Joe Frost: Blues
With the series wrapped up in Queensland’s favour, Game 3 is a match of motivation. And, simply put, NSW have far more worthwhile motivation than their Maroon foes.
A series clean sweep is a nice feather in the cap, but Queensland are the masters of game management – ensuring they win. And now that they’ve won, getting prepared and amped for this game will be that little bit harder.
For NSW, however, this is a game they either win, or plenty of them will not wear a sky blue jersey next season. And for those few whose place in the side is assured for next season, regardless of the outcome, they would be aware that anything less than victory will see their coach sacked.
Patrick Effeney: Queensland
It’s all about the halves.
The Queensland and New South Wales teams are pretty well even, until you get to the halves and hooker. Robbie Farah is a great player, but he’s not Cameron Smith. Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk are a big step above Jack Bird and James Maloney, as good as those two are.
The halves are going to do it again for Queensland, as they’ve done for the past decade.
Here’s your chance to put in your tips. Get involved here:
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