Wednesday 17 July, ANZ Stadium
Kick-off from 8pm
TV: Channel 9 from 7:30pm
Radio: Triple M 105.1FM from 7pm
Queensland and New South Wales will face off at ANZ Stadium in Wednesday nights Origin decider with the Maroons going for an eighth straight series victory.
After two contrasting contests in games one and two, the ledger is evenly poised for Wednesdays decider. Laurie Daley will be hoping his side can wrestle back the shield from the Maroons, who have held the title for seven straight seasons.
The home side will have to do it the hard way, without Paul Gallen who was ruled out earlier in the week after succumbing to a foot injury. The absence of the New South Wales skipper has been compounded by the loss of another experienced Blue, Parramatta flyer Jarryd Hayne.
Roosters youngster Boyd Cordner comes into the side as Gallensreplacement while James McManus will make his first Origin appearance since 2009 when he slots in for the injured Hayne on the wing. McManus has been in stellar form on the wing for Newcastle in season 2013 and sits atop of the NRL for tries scored with 16.
For Queensland, consistency has been a major component of their seven-year Origin dominance. After tinkering with the Maroons squad in Game Two, Mal Meninga has opted for an unchanged line-up to tackle the Blues in the decider.
Watch out for
Cameron Smith
Man of the match in Game Two, Cameron Smith lead his Maroons side from the front to level the series. Alongside many of his Queensland teammates, Smith boasts a wealth of Origin experience. The number nine has played 29 matches at Origin level and has featured in six of Queenslands last seven series victories. Providing a calm influence in attack, Smiths effect on Wednesday night will be crucial in deciding the contest.
Robbie Farah
With Paul Gallen succumbing to injury, Robbie Farah will step up to lead the Blues out for Wednesday nights Origin decider. Farah will shoulder much of the leadership in the absence of Gallen and will play a big role for the Blues in the middle of the ruck. Farah has recorded 88 tackles in the opening two matches and is second only to Smith who has 95.
Game 2, 2013
Queensland 26
Tries: Sam Thaiday 2m, Darius Boyd 17m, Darius Boyd 48m, Greg Inglis 56m
Goals: Johnathan Thurston 5
Defeated.
New South Wales 6
Tries: Brett Morris 70m
Goals: James Maloney 1
Queensland squad
Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (c), Nate Myles, Chris McQueen, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker, Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Teo, Matt Gillett, Josh Papalii, Jacob Lillyman, Will Chambers.
New South Wales
Josh Dugan, Brett Morris, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Robbie Farah (c), James Tamou, Ryan Hoffman, Luke Lewis, Greg Bird, Andrew Fifita, Trent Merrin, Anthony Watmough, Josh Reynolds, James McManus, Boyd Cordner, Aaron Woods
History
2012 Queensland
2011 Queensland
2010 Queensland
2009 Queensland
2008 Queensland
2007 Queensland
2006 Queensland
2005 New South Wales
2004 New South Wales
2003 New South Wales