A look at the NSW side to play Queensland in the decisive Origin III in Brisbane.
HOW NSW SHAPE UP FOR ORIGIN III:
Fullback - James Tedesco (capt)
Age: 29
Origins: 18
Origin tries: 7
The man who makes the Blues tick. Tedesco is skipper in name and nature, leading the Blues with his darting runs and quick feet out of the back field.
Winger - Brian To'o
Age: 23
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 3
Small in size but arguably the biggest metre-eater in the game right now and one who can find his way to the tryline. To'o is crucial to getting the Blues' sets started.
Centre - Stephen Crichton
Age: 21
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
After an indifferent debut from the bench Crichton looked more comfortable in game two. Has yet to replicate his Penrith club form at this level but may be warming to the occasion.
Centre - Matt Burton
Age: 22
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 1
His kicking game was crucial to the Blues' Origin II win, alleviating pressure from halfback Nathan Cleary and pinning Queensland in their own half. How the Maroons aim to stop him will be one of the most intriguing plot lines.
Winger - Daniel Tupou
Age: 31
Origins: 9
Origin tries: 3
The steady hand in the NSW backline. Tupou rarely gets flustered and churns through work out of the back field. His height and aerial threat has yet to be fully exploited by the Blues.
Five-eighth - Jarome Luai
Age: 25
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 1
When Luai is firing others follow. Can produce moments of brilliance and will be relishing the prospect of lifting the shield after missing out on game three last year.
Halfback - Nathan Cleary
Age: 24
Origins: 12
Origin tries: 2
Responded from game one with a performance for the ages. Cleary can elevate himself to superstardom if he leads the Blues to a deciding game three win in Brisbane for the first time since 2005.
Prop - Junior Paulo
Age: 28
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 0
Fittler has used Paulo off the bench with mixed results but he's now likely to start after Jordan McLean's injury, his quick feet and soft hands will keep the Maroons on their toes.
Hooker - Api Koroisau
Age: 29
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 1
Started his first Origin game in Perth and worked well in tandem with Damien Cook. Will be looking to catch the Maroons napping around the play-the-ball.
Prop - Jake Trbojevic
Age: 28
Origins: 14
Origin tries: 1
Trbojevic is the workhorse of this NSW pack and is happy to bend his back and get stuck into defensive work. Will be tasked with stopping Queensland from motoring up the middle.
Second-row - Cameron Murray
Age: 24
Origins: 9
Origin tries: 1
One of the most consistent players in this NSW side and defensively sound, Murray can get the Blues on the front foot.
Second-row - Liam Martin
Age: 25
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 0
Revelled in being labelled the "biggest grub" in NSW in the game two build-up. Protects the men outside him and gets through a mountain of defensive work.
Lock - Isaah Yeo
Age: 27
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 0
The key player in the NSW attack with his ability to hold defenders and open up space for the likes of Cleary and Luai.
Interchange:
Damien Cook
Age: 31
Origins: 14
Origin tries: 2
The ace in the Blues pack with speed to burn from the bench. Cook's move to the interchange has allowed him to pick his moments and test the Maroons defence.
Angus Crichton
Age: 26
Origins: 10
Origin tries: 1
Revelled in his impact role with the ability to play as a battering ram in the middle or that bit wider. Proved his worth to Brad Fittler's side with his stint in Perth.
Jacob Saifiti
Age: 26
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
The back-up to the back-up. Called in after injuries to Payne Haas and Jordan McLean, Saifiti has been named to start in the middle but is likely to come off the bench behind Junior Paulo.
Siosifa Talakai
Age: 25
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Only got a cameo at the end of the game in Perth as a forward and will want to add more minutes. A fresh Talakai in the last 20 minutes looms as a threat to the Queensland defence.
18th man: Jack Wighton
Age: 25
Origins: 10
Tries: 3
A game one standout performer unlucky not to return to the 17 after missing game two with COVID-19. Can play anywhere across the backline if called upon.
