Game 3 of State of Origin is a dead rubber in terms of the series but there’s still so much to play for. The Blues are aiming for their first 3-0 series win since 2000. The QLD Maroons will be looking to avoid the sweep and send out Billy Slater with one last victory. See our NRL State of Origin Game 3 Preview and Betting Tips below.
New South Wales vs Queensland
Suncorp Stadium (Wednesday 8pm AEST)
In a thrilling Game 2, the NSW Blues buried some demons with their first series win since 2014 as they defeated the Maroons 18-14 at ANZ Stadium. The new look NSW lineup paid instant dividends for Brad Fittler so they’ll head to Brisbane with confidence.
While the Maroons have lost both games, they haven’t been without their chances in this series. They’ve unearthed another star in Kalyn Ponga, who looked like an Origin veteran in just his first game. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury playing for the Knights and will be missed in game 3. In team news, Kevin Walters has made a few key changes. With Ben Hunt struggling in this series, he’ll move to the bench. Taking over at number 7 will be Daly Cherry-Evans. He hasn’t been in great form at the Sea Eagles this season so it’s an interesting selection. On the wing, Corey Oates will return to the lineup in the familiar surroundings of Suncorp Stadium. He’s been in superb form for the Broncos this season and should be a handful for the Blues. In the forward pack, Jai Arrow has been rewarded for two strong performances as he cracks the starting lineup in place of Jarrod Wallace.
The Blues will make just one change from game 2 as Tariq Sims replaces Matt Prior. There is some concern for the fitness of skipper Boyd Cordner and that could see a different lineup come Wednesday night. But NSW have been outstanding in this series and the motivation to win 3-0 will be their focus. The combination between James Maloney and Nathan Cleary, both from the Panthers, has worked wonders. Latrell Mitchell has been unstoppable at Centre. The other factor for the Blues has been a bench that has arguably out-played the Maroons. When Trbojevic and Crichton hit the park, they’ve been dominant and just continue the Blues momentum in the forward pack.
In terms of Origin games at Suncorp, last season we saw two contrasting games. In game 1, NSW thrashed the Maroons 28-4, scoring 5 tries to 1. Then in game 3, QLD secured the series by man-handling the Blues in a 22-6 thrashing. Valentine Holmes scored a hat-trick and it was also the last series with Cronk, Smith and Thurston in the lineup. This game will have some motivation for QLD as they look to send out Billy Slater. He’ll retire after this series and will always be remembered for his incredible solo try all those years ago.
So QLD has the wood over NSW at Suncorp Stadium with 5 wins in the last 7 games since 2013. This series has been closer then the 2-0 series scoreline says so I expect QLD to improve in game 3. Both games so far have gone under the total but this game should be more high-scoring. With the series wrapped up, NSW should play more attacking football with the weight off their shoulders. QLD had a-lot of success on the edges in game 2 and I’m tipping the likes of Oates and Holmes find the try-line.
So in the end, I can see both team’s scoring over 13 points, which occurred in game 2. NRL games at Suncorp have also been high scoring with the over total recording a 6-3 record and this bet is 3-1 in the last 4 NRL games at the venue.
Both teams to score 13+
$2.05
