Game 3, dubbed ‘The Decider’, has quickly become the most important game of Origin in over a decade.
New South Wales are desperate to halt this dynasty Queensland have built over the past decade. On top of this, they have been favourites all series and, without a win, will further strengthen the argument that NSW’s best tend to choke in biggest stage.
Queensland, on the other hand, are attempting to see off some of their greatest ever players off in fitting fashion.
The last time a game of this importance was played was Game 3 of 2006 when Queensland, at last, wrestled the trophy back from NSW.
At the time, the Blues were attempting to become the first side in Origin history to win four in a row. But as Brett Hodgson threw that now famous wayward pass which Darren Lockyer intercepted before scoring under the post, Queensland thwarted that attempted dynasty and began one of their own.
It’s now been 11 years since that fateful game. In that time, Queensland have won ten series to NSW’s one and 22 of 35 games.
Queensland have produced players like Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Darren Lockyer and Greg Inglis – all of whom have genuine cases for becoming rugby league Immortals – over these series.
With very little to show for the last decade, this is now NSW’s time. Heading into this 2017 series they were heavily backed to finally stop this amazing Queensland run.
They were favourites to beat Queensland at home in Game 1 and responded in kind, whooping the Maroons 28-4.
In Game 2, NSW were backed so heavily that they must have felt it wasn’t even worth showing up to collect the title. Unfortunately for them, however, after leading 16-6 at half time, they produced one of the all-time worst second halves in Origin history, while the greats of Queensland stormed back to take Game 2 18-16 in a nail-biter.
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This brings us to Game 3, the decider, of 2017.
NSW once again are heavy favourites and probably deservedly so. Queensland will be without their greatest halfback of all time, Johnathan Thurston, while also having several other concerns throughout their 17.
NSW, on the other hand, have picked the same 17 throughout the entire series. An unprecedented advantage they carry into the decider.
If NSW can win next Wednesday night it’s easy to see them going on somewhat of a run, with most of Queensland’s best past their prime and very few elite rookies coming through the system.
The Blues will also shed the unwanted ‘choker’ tag they possess when it comes to deciders, having won no Game 3’s in the past decade with the series still on the line.
On the other hand, if Queensland get up, it would be the absolute cherry on top of a fairly amazing cake they’ve produced over this period, and an amazing send off to some of their best of all time.
Make sure you tune in next Wednesday night for what’s sure to be the most important Origin game in a very long time.
Raugeee
Guest
Beautiful rainy, overcast day in Brisbane today. Lang Park drains beautifully but it won't be the fast track it was in Game 1. I can't see NSW winning this one, I can't see how they can mentally lift themselves. Laurie Daley said after Game 1 that NSW were at their best and QLD were at their worst on the night. That was true. Quite ordinary Blues players like Wade Graham looked like champions that night. Fifita ran for 10 metres more per run than he does in club football. Peats was a revelation at dummy half and his flat passes found their mark on the rampaging Blues' forwards. It was all too easy. Exactly that. Too easy. I don't reckon the Blues team has what it takes to win a truly epic Origin tussle. All things being equal, injuries, penalties, luck I am predicting QLD by 8. Scoreline 18-10
Raugeee
Guest
SOO draws fans from outside the normal NRL fan pool. It is so far and away superior in standard to the weekly rounds that to recommend dismantling it is pointless. People tune in to watch the best and Rugby League is no exception.
Mantra
Guest
If a big club in Sydney had lost a player of Thurston's ability for a season as a result of SOO game, there maybe greater repercussions esp as he went in with an injury to the game.
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
I love SOO but not as much as I love watching my club play. These bye rounds do my head in, I don't give a rats buttocks about this weekends games because my team isn't playing. I understand that a lot of QLDers have a state-before-club policy but I just don't roll that way. The 6 week disruption is out of hand and needs to be fixed.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The most important thing in the NRL should be the club comp and not this silly made up contest that is over in 3 games and spans 6 weeks, whoever wins!!! SOO is hurting the club NRL and the sooner they reschedule it the better it will be for the NRL!!! We are so spoiled to watch sports, SOO is a great spectacle, but what happens to the club games, in between??? They run a bad last, people have so much 'CHOICE' to watch other sports and the club NRL is getting to be and coming last (spectator numbers prove that), during this SOO contest.
jeff dustby
Guest
every origin for the last ten years has been the most important in a decade
BigJ
Roar Guru
Qld will win, the four horsemen for the Storm are now the four horsemen for the Maroons. Qld by 8.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Hyperbole alert! Can't agree with the level of importance this author has attributed this match, but I am KEEN! Go you mighty Maroons!
Mantra
Guest
Do you work for Channel Nine??? Annual gross over-reaction
Nat
Roar Guru
I'm not sure this is THE most important series in over a decade. It should've been either 2009, attempting to halt Qld at 3 series wins or 2015 when NSW had the chance to back up 2014 and against the full Qld team, especially after dominating G2.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
Should be a great game. Well, the build up will be anyway. After game 2, I was writing off the Blues chances for this series. Yet another Qld comeback orchestrated by their immortals-in-waiting, to be followed by a hometown farewell victory in game 3. But things since then have generally gone in favour of NSW. Thurston out, though I won't fully believe that until they run on. Some apparent squabbling about who should wear the number 6 in his absence, and a general belief that whoever it is, he's not up the the level of the genius he replaced. NSW are not without their injury concerns though. Will Daley gamble on the fitness of Frizell and Cordner? One thing is pretty clear. If NSW are to win this, they need to dominate like they did from the start, and keep trying to score points. They will not win this game coming from behind, and if they put up the shutters with 15 to go, even 20 points won't be enough. The faster deck should suit them. Blues by 12.
kk
Roar Pro
The record books will show NSW won the first 140 minutes and Queensland the last 100 minutes of Origin 2017, yet the latter won the series 2-1. Armed with this knowledge an investment on the Maroons @ $2.15 to $2.10 is excellent value.