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Queensland has recalled Newcastle stars Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai for the State of Origin decider at Lang Park next week, while NSW has started its camp with a minor injury concern for Bradman Best.
Incumbent Queensland wingers Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi were both ruled out with hamstring complaints, which also made way for Selwyn Cobbo to return after missing Game II.
Cobbo and fellow centre Valentine Holmes will shift to the wings, making way for 33-year-old Gagai to return to the Origin arena at centre alongside Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
It will be the first Origin since the 2022 decider for Gagai and Ponga, who was named on the bench for this year's Game III.
The Dally M medallist sat out the 2023 series over concussion concerns and missed the first two games this year with a foot injury, but returned in fine form as the Knights beat Canberra 16-12 on Sunday.
Maroons coach Billy Slater said it was a luxury to bring in three fresh faces with 38 games of Origin experience between them for the decider, but the team needs to improve on the field if it wants to rebound from the 38-18 demolition in Melbourne.
Kalyn Ponga played his first game since round seven the day before being named for Origin III.(Getty Images: Jason McCawley)
"The changes personnel-wise aren't gonna fix what happened in Game II," Slater said.
"It'll be a different game but we need to make sure it's different with our actions."
Back rower Jaydn Su'A, who played the opening two games of the series, was dropped for the decider, Slater elevating Kurt Capewell from the bench to a starting role rather than recalling damaging Gold Coast Titan David Fifita, who has been one of the most surprising omissions from the series.
"Dave was a serious consideration, but we feel the 17 players that have been chosen are the 17 players that have earned the opportunity to be here," Slater said.
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"He's still working back to the standard that he created for himself last year, I'm sure he'd be the first one to admit that."
NSW named its side on Sunday evening, with another Newcastle star, Best, in for injured centre Latrell Mitchell and Mitch Barnett elevated from the extended squad to make his debut off the bench, replacing Haumole Olakau'atu.
Blues coach Michael Maguire said Best likely would have been named for the series opener if not for a poorly timed hamstring injury, but news quickly emerged about some concerns about a repeat.
Best, who made his Origin debut in NSW's Game III win last year, was sent for precautionary scans on his hamstring after pulling up sore. Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton is 18th man.
Look back at how the team announcement unfolded in our live blog as Queensland coach Billy Slater and NSW coach Michael Maguire explained their decisions.
That's where we'll leave you
A quick recap of the news from today:
Queensland has recalled Dane Gagai, Kalyn Ponga and Selwyn Cobbo for the State of Origin decider. Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi miss out through injury and back rower Jaydn Su'A has been axed.
NSW named its team on Sunday night, with Bradman Best in for injured centre Latrell Mitchell and Mitch Barnett elevated from the extended squad to make his debut off the bench, replacing Haumole Olakau'atu.
Best has been sent for precautionary scans on a hamstring complaint. Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton is in the Blues' squad as 18th man.
We'll have wall-to-wall Origin coverage in the lead-up to Game III and of course a live blog of the match on July 17 at Lang Park.
See you then!
Here are both teams for State of Origin III
Queensland Maroons:
NSW Blues:
Maroons can't rely on the mysticism of home-ground advantage for the decider
"This is the home of State of Origin, this is where it was born in 1980.
"It's obviously a very special place, but it's made special by the performance of this footy team. One without the other is irrelevant.
"It's important that we bring our end of the bargain and the atmosphere will bring theirs."
Ponga and Walsh is a hell of a duo
Slater says Kalyn Ponga had to be picked once he proved he was fit after his foot injury.
He says Ponga is an out-and-out game winner.
"To have the strike of Reece [Walsh] and Kalyn in the team, if we earn our footy they'll be able to play their game."
Why no David Fifita?
The powerful ball runner from the Gold Coast has perhaps been the most perplexing omission from this series.
Billy Slater has echoed his sentiments on Fifita that he expressed after he missed out on selection in the first game.
"Dave was a serious consideration, but we feel the 17 players that have been chosen are the 17 players that have earned the opportunity to be here.
"He's still working back to the standard that he created for himself last year, I'm sure he'd be the first one to admit that."
New faces won't change what happened in Game II
Slater is excited by the new (old) faces coming in, but different players aren't going to swing the tide on their own.
"The changes personnel-wise aren't gonna fix what happened in Game II.
"It'll be a different game but we need to make sure it's different with our actions."
Billy Slater is speaking about the Maroons team for Origin III
Queensland coach Billy Slater is explaining the changes made for the decider.
"We're fortunate to have the luxury of those guys (Ponga, Gagai and Cobbo) to bring in.
"Jaydn Su'A's probably a little unlucky … but this is the team we feel is the best team going into this game."
The changes for the Maroons
Firstly, Kalyn Ponga.
(AAP)
The injury that had ruled him out since round seven was a foot complaint, not a soft-tissue injury that is more reactive to fatigue, so I'm sure that factored into Billy Slater feeling OK to pick him off just one game. Also, Ponga looked as good as ever in that game against the Raiders. I was stunned by how slick he was and he hadn't lost a step.
We know from Selwyn Cobbo's selection in Game I that Slater likes a utility back on the bench, but Ponga's also done the job as a forward off the bench in his opening series in 2018, coincidentally Slater's last series as a player.
(AAP)
Moving on to Dane Gagai. I thought his State of Origin career was just about over when Latrell Mitchell gave him a bath in the 2021 series, but since then Gagai was solid in 2022 and has been in near career-best form for Newcastle this year.
Plus, who doesn't want to see the return of Origin Gagai?
Cobbo's return was a no-brainer once he got his body and mind right and he's more than capable of playing on the wing as he's proven in the past.
Jaydn Su'A's axeing will raise some eyebrows, not necessarily for him being dropped, but for the fact that Slater dropped a back rower for Game III and still refused to bring in David Fifita, opting instead to elevate Kurt Capewell off the bench.
The changes for the Maroons
(AAP)
Queensland's wingers for Game II, Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi, have been replaced by Selwyn Cobbo and Dane Gagai.
Gagai will start in the centres with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, with Valentine Holmes shifting wider and Cobbo also coming onto the wing.
Jaydn Su'A has been dropped from the back row, with Kurt Capewell being elevated to a starting role from the bench.
And that leaves room for Kalyn Ponga to return to the team on the bench after playing his first game back from a foot injury yesterday, joining Newcastle teammate Gagai in being recalled for his first Origin since the 2022 decider.
Ponga was player of the match in a famous Maroons win that day.
Queensland Maroons team for State of Origin III confirmed
Here is Billy Slater's team for the Lang Park decider on July 17:
1.Reece Walsh
2.Selwyn Cobbo*
3.Dane Gagai*
4.Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5.Valentine Holmes
6.Tom Dearden
7.Daly Cherry-Evans (C)
8.Reuben Cotter
9.Ben Hunt
10.Lindsay Collins
11.Kurt Capewell
12.Jeremiah Nanai
13.Pat Carrigan
14.Harry Grant
15.Moeaki Fotuaika
16.Felise Kaufusi
17.Kalyn Ponga*
18.Trent Loiero
19.Brendan Piakura
20.Reed Mahoney
* Didn't play Game II
Reports: Burton in as 18th man as Best sent for precautionary scans
News Corp is reporting Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton will once again be NSW's 18th man as Bradman Best has been sent for scans on a hamstring.
(Getty)
The report says the scan is precautionary, but this all screams Origin mind games to me.
The Maroons team will be revealed at 9am AEST
Queensland coach Billy Slater will speak at 9:30am.
'Glass houses' gets a redux as Maguire wades back into interstate barbs
Maguire doesn't mind getting baited by Nine reporter Danny Weidler into firing a bit of a shot across the bow at Queensland.
Weidler says the Maroons are "ignoring their fans" with their announcement today, while the Blues are being a bit more accessible.
"That's the path they've gone. What I've learned in this role is the Origin team is the people's team.
"That's something our group's adopted, we want to bring everyone on the journey.
"They've had their way and we're doing it our way. Ever since I grew up it's been about the supporters and the people."
Look, I know it's all bluster and drumming up publicity for the game (as if it needs it) but one thing you can't accuse Queensland of is ignoring "the people" of Queensland. Billy Slater and Daly Cherry-Evans never shut up about doing it for "the 5 million Queenslanders" back home.
"Glass houses" is back.
Weidler is again asking about Queensland "whinging" about a bit of on-field bullying by the Blues and Maguire says it's all "glass houses" again, citing assistant coach Nate Myles having a chop at Joseph Sua'ali'i on the sideline after he was sent off in Game I.
It's all a bit cringe to be honest.
NSW coach Michael Maguire explains the changes
Blues coach Michael Maguire says Bradman Best was almost picked for Game I.
"Bradman's been on fire," he says.
"He's been there before. He was probably one of the best in Game III last year."
And why Mitch Barnett over Haumole Olakau'atu?
"Mitch can probably cover a little bit more in the middle for us. Both great players but that will allow Liam Martin to stay on an edge there."
ICYMI: NSW's starting 17 for Origin III
The Blues named Michael Maguire's team for the decider last night, with two changes to the team that won 38-18 in Melbourne.
(Getty)
Bradman Best is set to start at centre in place of the injured Latrell Mitchell, and Mitch Barnett was named to debut off the bench in place of Haumole Olakau'atu
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