Bradman Best and Stephen Crichton have been recalled to the NSW side for the Origin III decider, while Jack Bostock will start on the wing at the expense of loyal Blues servant Brian To’o as Laurie Daley made five changes for the series decider.
To’o, Kotoni Staggs, Dylan Lucas, Victor Radley and Api Koroisau have all been dropped for the July 8 blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium, while centre Tolutau Koula has been relegated to the bench.
Dolphins flyer Bostock was part of the squad for game two at the MCG, and his height and form for the Queensland club could no longer be ignored.
Despite two sub-par Origin performances in the first two games of the series, To’o’s axing is still a shock given he has played 17 straight games for the Blues since his 2017 debut. He also had a tough night in Townsville on Saturday during the Panthers’ loss.
Manly wrecking ball Haumole Olakau’atu has been recalled on the bench after being relegated to 20th-man duties for game two in Melbourne.
He was excellent against the Melbourne Storm on Saturday night, but Manly fans will be wondering if Koula was hard done by, especially given he was solid in attack at left centre in game two. Tom Trbojevic, one of the game’s best players, was not considered.
Best, 24, had scored three tries in two Origin games, including a memorable four-pointer when the Blues won the 2024 decider in Brisbane.
His effort to mop up a loose ball against the Wests Tigers on Sunday, then push up in support and finish a length-of-the-field try on Sunday is the kind of play Daley would have loved.
Crichton’s recall at right centre, alongside the returning Liam Martin, makes for an overhauled right edge after the Maroons had a field-day targeting the Blues out wide in Origin II.
Queensland’s emphatic 44-24 victory at the MCG has the Maroons as warm favourites to win a second straight series on home soil, while Daley and NSW are hunting one of the biggest upsets in recent Origin history at Suncorp Stadium.
Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses have been retained at the scrum base, while James Tedesco has also seen off a challenge from Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards.
Robson has retained his spot as starting hooker despite pressure and criticism over a lack of creativity at dummy-half, while Cronulla captain Blayke Brailey is back following his rapid recovery from a broken arm. Koroisau has been dropped after not getting on the field at the MCG.
Wingers Mark Nawaqanitawase has kept his spot on the right wing while Manly speedster Tolutau Koula reverts to the bench with Best’s return at left centre.
Hudson Young will shore up the left edge alongside Mitchell Moses and Stephen Crichton, while Haumole Olakau’atu reclaims a spot on the bench following his controversial omission from Game II.
NSW Blues squad for Origin III
- James Tedesco, 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Bradman, 4.Stephen Crichton, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Payne Haas, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Mitch Barnett, 11. Hudson Young 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo (captain). Bench: 14. Cameron Murray, 15. Addin Fonua-Blake, Haumole Olakau’atu, 17. Blayke Brailey, 18. Ethan Strange, 19. Tolutau Koula, 20. Victor Radley
