Queensland vs New South Wales Preview & Prediction | 2026 State of Origin | Game 3
The 2026 State of Origin will be decided in game three after Queensland levelled things up by beating New South Wales at the MCG.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Channel Nine & 9Now / USA – Channel 7 & Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / Australia – Channel Nine & 9Now digital platforms / USA – Fox Sports digital platforms
Queensland team news
Don’t expect much change from the Queensland side who won in game two, with Pat Carrigan perhaps one player set to potentially come into the team, whilst Lindsay Collins misses out with a head injury.
Squad: Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jojo Fifita, Cameron Munster, Sam Walker, Thomas Flegler, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Briton Nikora, Kurt Capewell, Reuben Cotter, Max Plath, Patrick Carrigan, Jeremiah Nanai, Trent Loiero, Reece Walsh, Murray Taulagi, Corey Horsburgh
New South Wales team news
New South Wales will likely make a late call on Ethan Strange, who is nursing an ankle problem and Blayke Brailey is back in the squad after an arm injury ruled him out of festivities at the MCG.
Squad: James Tedesco, Jack Bostock, Bradman Best, Stephen Crichton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Mitchell Moses, Nathan Cleary, Payne Haas, Reece Robson, Mitchell Barnett, Hudson Young, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Cameron Murray, Addin Fonua-Blake, Haumole Olakau'atu, Blayke Brailey, Ethan Strange, Tolutau Koula, Victor Radley
Queensland vs New South Wales prediction
Momentum is firmly with the Queensland Maroons following their commanding victory in front of a record State of Origin crowd in Melbourne last month. For Billy Slater and his side, it’s about carrying that momentum into this rubber match, whilst a strong reaction is simply a must for the New South Wales Blues if they are to prevent Queensland from making it 26 men’s State of Origin series wins across their history.
The offensive potency of Queensland cannot be ignored, especially when considering what we saw from them at the MCG and it’s worrying from a New South Wales perspective how easily carved open they were. Whilst this game three should prove a far closer affair, that extra firepower of Queensland and the confidence among their camp should see them pull through.
Queensland vs New South Wales tip: Queensland to win
