The series might have already been decided, but one thing that has been proven time and time again: there is no such thing as a ‘dead rubber’ in State of Origin.
Queensland were nothing short of outstanding in Games I & II and with all of the confidence, momentum and a lack of pressure, they’ve firmed into $1.65 (at publish) to win State of Origin Game III as well.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, New South Wales coach Brad Fittler has made wholesale changes to his squad in the hopes of avoiding a whitewash, and they are available at odds of $2.20 here at Neds.
Whichever what you’re looking, I’ve previewed both sides and provided my State of Origin Game III Tips for BOTH states below!
New South Wales
SEVEN changes is how the New South Wales teamsheet reads ahead of State of Origin Game III.
Featuring ANOTHER new halves combination, new forwards and a potentially contentious selection in the centres to boot, will a surprise victory be enough for Brad Fittler to keep his job?
What is the wildest selection that has been made for #StateOfOrigin Game 3? Do you agree with @JharalYowYeh5 & @JaredTimms? pic.twitter.com/OkeM2V4eiC
— Neds (@NedsAus) July 4, 2023
I don’t think so.
He’s had too long, these contentious decisions more often than not haven’t paid off, and I personally don’t see any reason why a fresh set of eyes and a ‘rebuild’ of sorts isn’t warranted.
Bradman Best has been selected to make his debut in the centres, Keaon Koloamatangi debuts in the second row (I do like that one), while players like Jacob Saifiti, Cody Walker and Clint Gutherson have been recalled from the Origin wilderness. Here’s the team in full:
- James Tedesco ©
- Brian To’o
- Stephen Crichton
- Bradman Best
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Cody Walker
- Mitchell Moses
- Jake Trbojevic
- Damien Cook
- Reagan Campbell-Gillard
- Liam Martin
- Keaon Koloamatangi
- Cameron Murray
- Isaah Yeo
- Reece Robson
- Jacob Saifiti
- Clint Gutherson
Queensland
In stark contrast to his Blues counterpart, coach Billy Slater has held firm with his winning side wherever possible, with Game II 18th and 19th men AJ Brimson and Corey Horsburgh joining the squad in place of the suspended Reece Walsh and injured Tom Flegler.
In stark contrast to Billy Slater’s Queensland, there doesn’t look to be any critical thinking happening in the New South Wales #StateOfOrigin camp.
Listen to this weeks episode
🎧 APPLE – https://t.co/MRVZbOE35J
🎧 SPOTIFY – https://t.co/mITEOyRD4x pic.twitter.com/FcqDus6xal— Neds (@NedsAus) July 5, 2023
They’ve been very good across the paddock this year, and despite already having won the series, the job is not complete; the Queenslanders are gunning for their first series clean sweep since 2010.
Here’s how they’ll line up in Sydney on Wednesday night:
- AJ Brimson
- Xavier Coates
- Valentine Holmes
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
- Murray Taulagi
- Cameron Munster
- Daly Cherry-Evans ©
- Reuben Cotter
- Harry Grant
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- David Fifita
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Patrick Carrigan
- Ben Hunt
- Lindsay Collins
- Moeaki Fotuaika
- Corey Horsburgh
State of Origin Betting
As always, there looks to be plenty of value to extract from the State of Origin betting markets head of Game III!
Queensland went up at odds of $1.75 after winning Game II and the series in State of Origin Game III betting, but team announcements earlier this week led to another move, and they are now very popular $1.65 favourites.
There’s yet to be much more than a sprinkling of interest for the Blues, but it is extremely difficult to recorded a 3-0 series win, and in Sydney, there’s no doubt that the Blues are a chance of delivering on $2.25.
First Try Scorer betting has been a popular target already, and there has been interest for the likes of Xavier Coates ($10) and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ($12) for Queensland, while Josh Addo-Carr ($10.50) and Stephen Crichton ($15) have attracted interest from the Blues fans.
Man of the Match honours have been claimed by Reuben Cotter and Lindsay Collins in the 2023 State of Origin Series so far, both at healthy odds, and the market currently has Cameron Munster a $7.50 favourite for Game III, ahead of James Tedesco ($8).
State of Origin Tips
New South Wales Tips
- Back New South Wales to Win @ $2.25
- Back Brian To’o to score the 1st try @ $12
- Back Jake Tbojevic to be named Man of the Match @ $23
Queensland Tips
- Back Queensland to cover the line (-3.5) @ $1.90
- Back Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to score the 1st Try @ $12
- Back Patrick Carrigan to be named Man of the Match @ $19