NSW Blues team news, announcement for game three against Queensland Maroons
Updated ,first published
Jack Bostock will start on the wing at the expense of Blues stalwart Brian To’o, with Bradman Best and Stephen Crichton recalled to the NSW side for the Origin III decider, while Laurie Daley makes five changes for the series decider.
To’o, Kotoni Staggs, Dylan Lucas, Victor Radley and Api Koroisau were excluded from the blockbuster match at Suncorp Stadium on July 8, while center Tolutau Koula was benched.
Dolphins Flyer Bostock was part of the squad for the second match at the MCG and his height and form could no longer be ignored for the promoted Queensland side.
Despite two sub-par Origin performances in the first two matches of the series, To’o’s defeat is still shocking given that he has played 17 consecutive games for the Blues since his debut in 2017.
To’o made an uncharacteristic three errors in the first half in Origin I and was also targeted in the air in Melbourne. Coach Daley described the Penrith star, who made one of the biggest decisions of his career, as “one of my personal favourites”.
“Jack was part of the 19 in Melbourne. He’s a big body, an aerial threat and someone we thought would do well in game three,” Daley said after the team announcement was delayed for 30 minutes while players were told their selection fates.
“Bizza [To’o] was one of my personal favorites and a Brad Fittler Medal winner [for NSW player of the series] last year. “He’s done a great service for NSW and I’m sure he’ll be back but we just feel like we need to make that change for this game.”
Manly wrecking ball Haumole Olakau’atu has been recalled from the bench after being relegated to 20th man duty in the second leg in Melbourne, while Panthers enforcer Liam Martin starts from the right sideline, fresh off a field day in Origin II that saw the Maroons target Staggs and rookie back-rower Dylan Lucas.
After an emphatic 44-24 defeat at the MCG, the Maroons are hot favorites to make it back to back-to-back series wins on home soil. NSW will travel to Suncorp Stadium for one of the biggest upsets in recent Origin history.
On the Blues’ left wing, Best replaces Koula, who retreated to the bench. Clubmate Tom Trbojevic did not feature despite the Sea Eagles making a strong return from injury.
Best, 24, has scored three tries in two Origin matches; including his unforgettable four-pointer when the Blues won the final decider on Queensland soil in 2024.
The Knights flyer is one of nine survivors from the rare third-leg victory at Suncorp Stadium, alongside Crichton, Mitchell Moses, Payne Haas, Martin, Cameron Murray, Isaah Yeo, Mitch Barnett and Reec Robson.
Best’s effort to clear the loose ball in Newcastle’s thrilling win over Wests Tigers, then add to the brace and finish off a length-of-the-field try on Sunday was the kind of play Daley would have loved.
While Daley highlighted Best’s experience playing in the Suncorp decider as a key factor in his recall, he said of Martin’s return: “He’s a guy who’s never let NSW down.
“He brings that aggression, he gives us that guy who has been around for a long time, he understands Origin, he understands what we will be facing at Suncorp Stadium.”
Crichton’s recall at right center (along with rugby player Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase) boosts his defensive strength after being ruled out of Origin II due to an ongoing AC joint problem that has plagued him all season.
The Blues retained the same playmaking backbone with James Tedesco, Moses, Nathan Cleary and Reece Robson; Robson has been under pressure, particularly in the second leg, due to a perceived lack of creativity at open half.
Cronulla captain Blayke Brailey returns as reserve hooker following a rapid recovery from a broken arm, after filling the role superbly in Origin I.
Tigers captain Api Koroisau was dismissed from the same position after failing to see even a minute of play at the MCG.
Yeo is slated to start at lock once again despite pressure to move Murray to second.
Murray, Sharks big man Addin Fona-Blake and Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange round out the Blues’ six-man bench alongside Olakau’atu, Brailey and Koula, with Radley as the 20th man.
NSW Blues squad for Origin III
1. James Tedesco, 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Bradman, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Payne Haas, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Mitch Barnett, 11. Hudson Young 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo (captain). Bench: 14. Cameron Murray, 15. Addin Sorua-Blake, 16. Haumole Olakau’atu, 17. Blayke Brailey, 18. Ethan Strange, 19. Tolutau Koula, 20. Victor Radley
Dan Walsh is sports correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
