Sunday, December 22, 2024

Ready for the State of Origin decider? Here’s what you need to know ahead of kick-off

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We’re in for an electric night of rugby league this week as the State of Origin decider lands in Brisbane.

This one’s for all the marbles after New South Wales stormed to an emphatic victory over Queensland in Game II last month to set up a decider.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of tomorrow night’s match.

What time is kick-off?

  • 8.05pm AEST: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria
  • 7.35pm ACST: Northern Territory, South Australia
  • 6.05pm AWST: Western Australia

Where is Game III?

Game III will be played at Lang Park in Brisbane.

There’s a reason this venue is also known as The Cauldron – it’s considered a bit of a stronghold for the Maroons.

The stats support the theory, too.

Queensland has won 65 per cent of State of Origin matches played here, and four of the past five.

And in terms of deciders, the Maroons’ track record is even better – they’ve won 11 of 13 deciders in Brisbane

Queenslanders consider Lang Park to be a State of Origin stronghold.  (Supplied)

What channel is State of Origin on?

The State of Origin matches are broadcast free-to-air on Channel Nine and will also stream on 9Now.

You can listen to coverage of the match on ABC Radio via the ABC listen app

ABC Sport will live blog the match on the ABC News website

How have the teams changed since Game II?

The official squads for the decider were announced early last week.

Blues coach Michael Maguire opted not to tweak the winning formula from Game II too much.

Latrell Mitchell was ruled out after suffering a foot injury during the Rabbitohs’ 32-16 win over the Eels. 

The Knights’ Bradman Best has been named in the centres instead. 

“Bradman’s been on fire,” Maguire said last week. 

“He’s been there before. He was probably one of the best in Game III last year.” 

Meanwhile, Maroons coach Billy Slater had some tougher choices to make.

Young flyer Xavier Coates, who was a stand-out in this year’s series opener, has been sidelined until Round 23 with a hamstring injury.

Xavier Coates holds his head

Coates will miss at least a month of games after suffering a low-grade hamstring tear in Round 17.(AAP Image: Joel Carrett)

In his place will be Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo, who was left off the team list for Game II.

Jaydn Su’A and Murray Taulagi were also axed, making space for Kalyn Ponga’s State of Origin return. 

“We’re fortunate to have the luxury of those guys (Ponga, Gagai and Cobbo) to bring in,” Slater said about the changes.

“Jaydn Su’A’s probably a little unlucky … but this is the team we feel is the best team going into this game.”

Perhaps most controversially, David Fifita once again missed out on selection for the Queensland side. 

What are the State of Origin team lists?

Queensland Jersey number New South Wales
Reece Walsh 1 Dylan Edwards
Selwyn Cobbo 2 Brian To’o
Dane Gagai 3 Bradman Best
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4 Stephen Crichton
Valentine Holmes 5 Zac Lomax
Tom Dearden 6 Jarome Luai
Daly Cherry-Evans 7 Mitchell Moses
Reuben Cotter 8 Jake Trbojevic
Ben Hunt  9 Reece Robson
Lindsay Collins 10 Payne Haas
Kurt Capewell 11 Liam Martin
Jeremiah Nanai 12 Angus Crichton
Patrick Carrigan 13 Cameron Murray
Harry Grant 14 Connor Watson
Moeaki Fotuaika 15 Isaah Yeo
Felise Kaufusi 16 Mitchell Barnett
Kalyn Ponga 17 Spencer Leniu
Trent Loiero 18 Matt Burton
Brendan Piakura 19 Haumole Olakau’atu
Reed Mahoney 20 Luke Keary

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