HOW THE BLUES STACK UP FOR STATE OF ORIGIN III
Fullback – Josh Dugan
Age: 27 Origins: 7
Has cemented his spot as the Blues long-term No.1 with standout efforts in Origin I and II. Again shapes as key figure for the Blues in the decider.
Wing – Brett Morris
Age: 28 Origins: 11
Starting to hit his straps again after missing a lot of football. Shapes as a real dangerman for the Maroons in broken play and on kick returns.
Centre – Josh Morris
Age: 28 Origins: 12
Has scored in both games in the series and is set to become every more instrumental in the Blues attack without having to put the majority of his energy into defending against Greg Inglis.
Centre – Michael Jennings
Age: 27 Origins: 14
Lucky to have been chosen after being charged by police over an off-field incident. Needs to repay Laurie Daley’s faith in kind with another big game.
Wing – Will Hopoate
Age: 23 Origin: 4
Has been solid without being spectacular. Makes no mistakes and his game two involvement was an improvement on game one. He will need to up that again.
Five-eighth – Mitchell Pearce
Age: 26 Origins 14
Has enjoyed probably his two best Origin outings in this series. Has matured significantly as a playmaker and his kicking game is vital to the Blues. A NSW win in the decider would be one of Pearce’s crowning achievements.
Halfback – Trent Hodkinson
Age: 26 Origins 5
Silenced his critics with a fantastic effort in game two. Is coming into form at exactly the right time for NSW.
Prop – Aaron Woods
Age: 24 Origins: 7
Announced himself as the game’s premier front-rower with his barnstorming effort in game two, including NSW’s go-ahead try. Queensland have found him almost impossible to contain so far.
Hooker – Robbie Farah
Age: 31 Origins: 13
It would be another miraculous effort if Farah can take the field after suffering a fractured hand just 10 days out from Origin III. If he is out, he will leave a huge hole in the Blues’ side.
Prop – James Tamou
Age: 26 Origins: 10
Another key plank in NSW’s forward dominance across the opening two games. Tamou’s efforts early in both games have really set the tone for the Blues.
Second row – Beau Scott
Age: 31 Origins: 10
With Greg Inglis missing on Queensland’s left edge, Johnathan Thurston can expect even more attention from his arch-nemesis Scott.
Second row – Ryan Hoffman
Age: 31 Origins: 13
Has been one of NSW’s best across the series. His carries and quick play the balls paved the way for Jennings’ dominance in game two, that will again be the blueprint for the decider.
Lock – Paul Gallen (capt)
Age: 33 Origins: 21
Primed for one of the biggest games of his career in what could be his Origin swansong.
Interchange
Trent Merrin
Age: 25 Origins: 12
Still struggling to find his feet at Origin level. His footwork at the line and ability to offload could be crucial in a tight game.
Boyd Cordner
Age: 22 Origins 4
Finally feeling comfortable at Origin level, Cordner’s legal late-game hit on Thurston in Melbourne is indicative of the aggressive edge the Blues interchange bench will again bring to game three.
David Klemmer
Age: Origins: 2
Public enemy No.1 in Queensland in the lead-up to the series decider, and those who know him best says that is just the way he likes it.
Josh Jackson
Age: Origins: 2
Quiet in game two after being a key contributor in game one in Gallen’s absence. Jackson is NSW’s Mr Fix-It and may be called to play back-up dummy half.
