3 minute read
New South Wales will be hoping to secure a rare victory on Queensland soil to clinch the 2024 State of Origin series on Wednesday night.
With the series level at 1-1 heading into Game 3, the stakes could not be any higher and the build-up to the clash is reaching fever pitch.
The Blues will be feeling good after winning Game 2 in Melbourne, but heading to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane is a daunting proposition.
Their record is not great and the last time they won a series decider in Brisbane was way back in 2005.
Indeed, out of the last 13 deciders played in Queensland, NSW have won just two, but all of that is history.
There is little to separate the two sides heading into the game and we could be in for a thriller at Suncorp.
. What: Queensland v New South Wales
. Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
. When: 20:05 (AEST), Wednesday 17th July 2024
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 7
. Odds: Queensland 1.87, New South Wales 1.95
Maroons looking to bounce from defeat
Queensland were left wounded after they were hammered 38-18 in Game 2 in Melbourne and they will be desperate to bounce back.
The Maroons were impressive when winning Game 1 38-10 in Sydney, so the performance in Melbourne came as a surprise to many.
But there is no better place to bounce back than in Queensland and the backing of the home support could be crucial with Suncorp packed to the rafters.
Maroons centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will again be crucial for Billy Slater's side.
The Hammer has scored four tries in the 2024 series and has scored nine tries in six State of Origin matches overall.
Tabua-Fidow can be backed at 11.00 to score the first try of the game, or 2.40 to score a try at anytime in the game.
Selwyn Cobbo, who returns to the side after being rested in Game 2, can be backed at 9.00 to score the first try.
The Maroons are also boosted by the return of Kalyn Ponga from injury and he will have a key role to play from the interchange.
Everything appears to be pointing towards a tight decider and the Maroons are priced at 3.10 to win by 1-12 points.
Mitchell blow could hurt Blues
New South Wales hopes of getting the job done have been hit by the news Latrell Mitchell misses out through injury.
Mitchell played a huge part in the Game 2 win in Melbourne and will be a big loss, however they have a solid replacement in Bradman Best, who will come in and play at centre.
The powerful Best can be backed at 3.10 to score a try at anytime, but the Blues have threats all over the pitch.
Zac Lomax has scored three tries in the series so far and is priced at 2.00 to score at anytime, the same as Brian To'o.
The last time that New South Wales won an Origin decider in Brisbane was back in 2005.
They won 32-10 on that occasion and can be backed at 5.25 to win by 13+ points on Wednesday night.
