HOW QUEENSLAND SHAPE UP FOR ORIGIN III
Fullback – Valentine Holmes
Age: 25
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 8
Holmes has an amazing try-scoring strike rate for Queensland but was kept quiet in his return to the Origin arena in Sydney.
Winger – Xavier Coates
Age: 19
Origins: 2
Tries: 2
Teenager Coates has scored in each game this series but will need to overcome a leg injury to line up on the wing. Scored a brilliant acrobatic try in Sydney.
Centre – Kurt Capewell
Age: 27
Origins: 2
Tries: 0
One of the players of the game in Adelaide and has been a solid pick in the centres for Queensland despite playing club football in the second row.
Centre – Dane Gagai
Age: 29
Origins: 15
Tries: 11
Keeps delivering for his state, scoring a try in Adelaide and handing Coates the game-opening try in Sydney. Will be hoping to outpoint Dally M Medallist Jack Wighton once more.
Winger – Corey Allan
Age: 22
Origins: 0
Tries: 0
Has played just 29 NRL games but could be called on to play fullback in a swap with Valentine Holmes for the decider in Brisbane. Was dangerous for South Sydney under coach Wayne Bennett in 2020.
Five-eighth – Cameron Munster
Age: 26
Origins: 9
Tries: 1
Played just two minutes of Game II in Sydney after he was ruled out with concussion. If he plays, the Melbourne star will be a huge addition for the Maroons.
Halfback – Daly Cherry-Evans (captain)
Age: 31
Origins: 12
Tries: 1
After a man-of-the-match performance in Adelaide, the skipper was kept quiet in Sydney as NSW rolled through the middle. Will need more from his forward pack in the decider.
Prop – Christian Welch
Age: 26
Origins: 2
Tries: 0
Missed Origin II after copping a head knock in the series opener and his presence will be felt up front for the Maroons in Brisbane.
Hooker – Jake Friend
Age: 30
Origins: 2
Tries: 0
Hasn’t let anyone down in his maiden Origin campaign and will once again be asked to provide plenty of work through the middle both in attack and defence.
Prop – Josh Papalii
Age: 28
Origins: 17
Tries: 2
The Raiders enforcer took responsibility for the loss in Game II, saying he needed to be better in the middle for the Maroons.
Back-rower – Felise Kaufusi
Age: 28
Origins: 8
Tries: 1
Did plenty of work in defence in Game II but was quiet with the ball when the Maroons had possession.
Back-rower – Jaydn Su’A
Age: 23
Origins: 2
Tries: 0
Has been dangerous on the edge with an offload and late footwork and will need to be at his best again if Queensland are to claim the series.
Lock – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Age: 20
Origins: 2
Tries: 0
Showed plenty of passion for the Maroons jersey when he went toe to toe with NSW big man Payne Haas in Sydney. The aggression was needed, but getting sin binned was not.
Interchange:
Harry Grant
Age: 22
Origins: 0
Tries: 0
After claiming the Dally M rookie of the year award, the young Wests Tigers hooker will be a danger from the bench around tired forwards.
Lindsay Collins
Age: 24
Origins: 2
Tries: 0
Has produced plenty of punch off the bench on his debut Origin series and will be expected to deliver the same in the decider.
Jai Arrow
Age: 25
Origins: 6
Tries: 0
Bent the Blues’ defensive line with several hit-ups in his stint off the bench. Provides much-needed experience among the finishers.
Dunamis Lui
Age: 30
Origins: 2
Tries: 0
Has been shifted to the bench with the return of Welch, but showed enough in his Origin debut in Sydney to keep his spot in the 17.
