Live: Maroons host Blues in State of Origin decider

The State of Origin series will be settled in tonight's Game III decider, as Queensland hosts New South Wales at Lang Park in Brisbane.

There have been 13 deciders played at Lang Park, with the Maroons winning nine of them in front of their passionate fans.

NSW has only ever won three deciders at The Cauldron, but were victorious the last time the series was on the line in Brisbane in 2024.

Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.

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Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:00pm

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:00pm

State of Origin Game III

By Michael Doyle

Kick-off: 8:05pm NSW, Qld, Vic, Tas, ACT; 7:35pm SA, NT; 6:05pm WA; 10:05pm NZ, Fiji; 11:05pm Samoa, Tonga; 12:05am Cook Islands

QLD 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Selwyn Cobbo, 3. Rob Toia, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Jojo Fifita, 6.Cameron Munster (C), 7. Sam Walker, 8. Tom Flegler, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Reuben Cotter, 14. Max Plath, 15. Patrick Carrigan, 16. Jeremiah Nanai. 17. Trent Loiero, 18. Reece Walsh, 19. Murray Taulagi

NSW 1. James Tedesco, 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Bradman Best, 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 (C), 14. Cameron Murray, 15. Addin Fonua-Blake, 16. Haumole Olakau'atu, 17. Blayke Brailey, 18. Ethan Strange, 19. Tolutau Koula

Referee: Ashley Klein; Touch judges: Matt Noyen, Phil Henderson; Bunker: Chris Butler

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Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 7:09pm

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 7:09pm

Maroons win the coin toss. Kick-off is one hour away

By Michael Doyle

It means nothing to the result, but Queensland has had a little win.

Cameron Munster has won the coin toss, and the Maroons are going to kick-off.

The match is an hour away.

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Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:50pm

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:50pm

NSW team changes for Game III

By Michael Doyle

NSW coach Laurie Daley made a stack of changes to the side that was soundly beaten in Game II.

Jack Bostock will make his Origin debut on the wing tonight, replacing NSW's equal-highest try scorer, Brian To'o.

The Blues have a new centre duo. Stephen Crichton is back from injury, and Bradman Best has been called in. Tolutau Koula is on the bench, and Kotoni Staggs has been left out.

Penrith second-rower Liam Martin comes into the side, with Newcastle's Dylan Lucas left out after making his debut in Game II.

Haumole Olakau'atu returns to the side on the bench as a backrow replacement, with Victor Radley demoted to 20th man.

Blayke Brailey is on the bench as a hooker/utility option, replacing Apisai Koroisau who was not used in Game II

NSW 1. James Tedesco, 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Bradman Best, 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 (C), 14. Cameron Murray, 15. Addin Fonua-Blake, 16. Haumole Olakau'atu, 17. Blayke Brailey, 18. Ethan Strange, 19. Tolutau Koula

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Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:30pm

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:30pm

Queensland team changes for Game III

By Michael Doyle

Queensland has made two changes to the side that were victorious in Game II.

Patrick Carrigan comes onto the bench as a middle forward, in place of Lindsay Collins, who suffered a concussion during the round 17 clash between the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos.

Backrower Jeremiah Nanai has also come onto the Queensland bench in place of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who made his debut in Game II.

QLD 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Selwyn Cobbo, 3. Rob Toia, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Jojo Fifita, 6.Cameron Munster (C), 7. Sam Walker, 8. Tom Flegler, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Reuben Cotter, 14. Max Plath, 15. Patrick Carrigan, 16. Jeremiah Nanai. 17. Trent Loiero, 18. Reece Walsh, 19. Murray Taulagi

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Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:10pm

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:10pm

What happened in Game I and Game II?

By Michael Doyle

Game I: NSW 22-20 Queensland, Stadium Australia

NSW won the opening match of the series at Stadium Australia in Sydney, pulling off the largest comeback in Origin history.

Queensland raced out to a 20-0 lead in the first half, and led 20-6 at half-time.

But the defining moment of the match came in the 57th minute when Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a shoulder charge that made contact with the head of Blues winger Tolutau Koula.

The visitors were down to 12 men for the remaining 23 minutes, desperately trying to hold on to their 14-point lead.

But the Blues would score three tries, including a stunning individual effort from fullback James Tedesco in the 79th minute, to steal the win.

Game II: QLD 44-24 NSW, Melbourne Cricket Ground

Needing a win in Game II to force a decider at home, the Maroons mauled the Blues with a historic performance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

It was the Blues who scored the opening two tries of the match to hold a 12-2 lead, and held a 12-8 advantage at half-time.

But the Maroons would produce an attacking masterclass after the break, scoring 36 points in the second half to secure a commanding 44-24 win.

Queensland's 36 points were the most ever scored in a half of Origin footy, set up by a hat-trick to winger Selwyn Cobbo.

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Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:05pm

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:05pm

What time is State of Origin Game III kick-off?

By Michael Doyle

Here is when the kick-off is scheduled in your location.

8:05pm: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, Papua New Guinea

7:35pm: South Australia, Northern Territory

6:05pm: Western Australia

10:05pm: New Zealand, Fiji

11:05pm: Samoa, Tonga

12:05am: Cook Islands

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Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:00pm

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:00pm

Welcome to the State of Origin decider

By Michael Doyle

Hello Australia.

Welcome back to ABC Sport's live digital coverage of the 2026 State of Origin.

Tonight, the men's series is decided as Queensland hosts New South Wales in a Game III decider.

NSW produced the largest comeback in Origin history to win Game I, then the Maroons produced a historic performance to convincingly win Game II.

Join us throughout the evening as we bring you all the action from The Cauldron.

Be part of the conversation and let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

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