Canberra veteran Josh Papalii has been ushered out of State of Origin retirement to give Queensland’s forward pack fire and brimstone in this year’s decider, while NSW coach Laurie Daley has named an unchanged 17.
Papalii called time on his Origin career ahead of the 2023 series but will be named at starting prop when Billy Slater unveils his 17 for Origin III on Monday. The 33-year-old prop has been instrumental in the first-placed Raiders’ charge up the ladder this year and will add extra vigour to Queensland’s pack come 9 July in Sydney.
Gold Coast prop Moeaki Fotuaika has been axed from a forward group who have struggled to match it with NSW in this series. The selection shock comes as the Maroons recall Brisbane star Reece Walsh as 18th man and put faith in Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as Kalyn Ponga’s injury replacement at fullback.
The biggest surprise in the Maroons side is the elevation of Broncos journeyman Shibasaki to partner Robert Toia in the centres after a season where the 27-year-old has scored 12 tries in 15 appearances to resurect his career.
Tabuai-Fidow has played in the Queensland backline for the previous two games of the series and has helped the Dolphins rise into finals calculations following a poor start. His four tries in the 50-28 win over South Sydney at No 1 in round 17 sealed the deal.
Walsh has been instrumental in reigniting Brisbane’s season, with the Broncos winning all three games since he returned from the knee injury that scuppered his Origin chances earlier in the series. Walsh can also slot into the halves if need be and is the ideal 18th man.
Maroons back Valentine Holmes downplayed a minor leg injury that prevented him from kicking goals towards the end of St George Illawarra’s win over Parramatta. He will be named on the wing as planned.
Meanwhile, NSW named an unchanged team as Laurie Daley backs Brian To’o to recover from a knee injury in time to play.
Jacob Kiraz replaces Canterbury teammate Matt Burton as 18th man in the only change to the game-day squad that lost Origin II. But as it stands, Kiraz will only play in Sydney in the event of multiple game-ending head knocks or one caused by an act of foul play that results in a sin bin.
Daley has retained Stefano Utoikamanu despite speculation he could replace the Melbourne prop with versatile South Sydney forward Keaon Koloamatangi for Origin III.
Jarome Luai is named at five-eighth despite missing Wests Tigers’ loss to Manly on Friday night with an illness that required hospitalisation.
It marks the first time NSW have named an unchanged line-up for a Game 3 decider since their infamous 2020 series loss.
NSW Blues: Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Latrell Mitchell, Zac Lomax, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, Max King, Reece Robson, Payne Haas, Liam Martin, Angus Crichton, Isaah Yeo, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Hudson Young, Stefano Utoikamanu, Jacob Kiraz (18th man), Lindsay Smith (19th man), Bradman Best (20th man)
Queensland Maroons: 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Xavier Coates, 3. Robert Toia. 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Reuben Cotter, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Trent Loiero, 14 Kurt Mann, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Jeremiah Nanai, 17 Pat Carrigan, 18. Reece Walsh, 19, J’maine Hopgood, 20. Josh Kerr.
