Wayne Bennett has made three changes to his Queensland Maroons side for State of Origin 3 next week, while his Blues counterpart Brad Fittler has opted for the same 17 that won Game 2.
Winger Phillip Sami has been dropped for Corey Allan after a horror showing for the Maroons on Wednesday, while debutant Harry Grant comes onto the bench for Ben Hunt for his Origin debut and Christian Welch returns to the starting side. Dunamis Lui moves to the interchange to make way for Welch, and Moeaki Fotuaika drops out of the side entirely.
Both Cameron Munster and Josh Addo-Carr have been named to play despite being under injury clouds. Munster picked up a head knock early in Game 2 and played no further part in the match, while Addo-Carr was seen in a moon boot due to toe bruising.
With Allan named on the wing, there is some speculation Bennett could make further changes to his side still, moving the debutant to fullback and shifting Valentine Holmes out wide, where he has been spotted in training for the Maroons this week.
The only changes to the NSW squad have come on the reserves list, where Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jarome Luai and Nick Cotric have been named for the first time this series. Cameron McInnes is also on the extended bench.
| Queensland Maroons | Number | NSW Blues |
|---|---|---|
| Valentine Holmes | 1 | James Tedesco (c) |
| Xavier Coates | 2 | Daniel Tupou |
| Kurt Capewell | 3 | Clint Gutherson |
| Dane Gagai | 4 | Jack Wighton |
| Corey Allan | 5 | Josh Addo-Carr |
| Cameron Munster | 6 | Cody Walker |
| Daly Cherry-Evans (c) | 7 | Nathan Cleary |
| Christian Welch | 8 | Daniel Saifiti |
| Jake Friend | 9 | Damien Cook |
| Josh Papalii | 10 | Payne Haas |
| Felise Kaufusi | 11 | Angus Crichton |
| Jaydn Su’A | 12 | Tyson Frizell |
| Tino Faasuamaleaui | 13 | Jake Trbojevic |
| Bench | ||
| Harry Grant | 14 | Dale Finucane |
| Lindsay Collins | 15 | Nathan Brown |
| Jai Arrow | 16 | Junior Paulo |
| Dunamis Lui | 17 | Isaah Yeo |
| Reserves | ||
| Ben Hunt | 18 | Ryan Papenhuyzen |
| Edrick Lee | 19 | Jarome Luai |
| Moeaki Fotuaika | 20 | Cameron McInnes |
| Brenko Lee | 21 | Nick Cotric |
MORE TO COME…
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
This is the risk you run with bench selections, you either pick someone who can slot in at most positions, or you pick someone who'll make the most impact off the bench. In hindsight, someone like Corey Norman (who's not even in the squad) would've been a better injury replacement, but he's never a better impact sub than Hunt.
Nico
Roar Rookie
Yeah both are solid fullback options but I'd argue Holmes is possibly more dangerous on the wing, he's scored something like 8 tries in 5 games there and is always a chance of getting an intercept. In 2018 QLD only scored 8 tries the whole series and at least 2 of those were off a Holmes intercept
Hopeless Knights
Roar Rookie
With NSW monster bench and non stop go forward in the middle of the park what a brilliant idea it is to have Harry Grant on the bench. Welch is back and he was a big reason for Qlds performance in game 1. Doesn’t get intimidated, solid defender and goes forward all day. He will strengthen QLD middle defends and Papalii will be out for a big game with plenty of aggression. If QLD match NSW aggression and energy and protect their wingers this game will be a lot closer than most think. Munster will make a massive difference and if you don’t think he will well go back and watch Hunt play in game 2, he could not catch a pass and looked lost. The excuse of him being a 7 not a 6 is poor, bad defensive reads and terrible attack Bennet has not choice but to be drop him. No Sami will be a big difference as well. Hopefully Val Holmes marks up on JAC because he was a major reason Sami played so poorly. QLD coming in as the underdogs will suit them perfectly.
Big Daddy
Guest
Matth, well the NRL have set the benchmark in relation to HIA. Official warning to NSWRL so Munster will be fine .
andrew
Roar Rookie
I can't.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
His problem is more Teddy and Walker.
Tony
Roar Guru
Agree. Munster didn't look good. I hope they don't get him on the repeat head knock path. The NRL need to bring in mandatory rest periods for players suffering concussion. Another one is Jake Friend. He seemed to cop it in both games 1 and 2 but didn't even leave the field.
Tony
Roar Guru
Not good eh?
Tony
Roar Guru
Mulitalo, Corey Thompson. The cupboard's pretty bare isn't it. Gagai or Holmes should have taken the other wing spot.
matth
Roar Guru
QLD are probably as desperate now as NSW were when they send Cordner back on after 20 minutes. I hope if he's not 100% that they accept it and bring in Hunt. It's not worth it. I'd say Munster would be hell bent on playing, but it's the staff's job to protect him.
matth
Roar Guru
Unfortunately not a lot of options. Brenko Lee is under an injury cloud. Leaving out Sami was more important leaving out Capewell, and the only other QLD centres I can even think of out there would have been Dale Copley and Justin O'Neill
matth
Roar Guru
We just have no troops, so no choice.
matth
Roar Guru
Name any other QLD winger.
matth
Roar Guru
It appears Allen will drop out if Brenko Lee is fit, with Gagai taking the wing spot. I'd say if that doesn't happen, then Holmes and Allen might switch.
matth
Roar Guru
True, which is why he wasn't picked there. Munster's early injury was about the worst scenario QLD could have imagined.
matth
Roar Guru
And Friend had to play the full 80 in defence against a team that had the lion's share of possession. no wonder he looked tired.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
It's a bit of a wind up that neither of them are first choice FBs at club, but are the only choices at origin level, but here we are. I'm not sure Allan has any weapons that Holmes doesn't, it's just a case of turning up on the day and doing the small things, and there's no reason to think Holmes can't do that in game 3.
andrew
Roar Rookie
QLD is a bit short on wingers but of the 2 i think Lee is better. Sami is just an average 1st grader in my opinion. I'd have Hunt on the bench at least. Caxton st. will be buzzing after yesterday's news that Suncorp can have a full house.
Tony
Roar Guru
couldn't understand either of them being in the squad in the first place
Tony
Roar Guru
After reading further reports over the last couple of days, it's a surprise to see Munster named in the team