Updated ,first published
Bradman Best and Stephen Crichton have been recalled to the NSW side for the Origin III decider, while Jack Bostock will start on the wing at the expense of loyal Blues servant Brian Toโo as Laurie Daley made five changes for the series decider.
Toโo, Kotoni Staggs, Dylan Lucas, Victor Radley and Api Koroisau have all been dropped for the July 8 blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium, while centre Tolutau Koula has been relegated to the bench.
Dolphins flyer Bostock was part of the squad for game two at the MCG, and his height and form for the surging Queensland outfit could no longer be ignored.
Despite two sub-par Origin performances in the first two games of the series, Toโoโs axing is still a shock given he has played 17 straight games for the Blues since his 2017 debut.
Toโo made an uncharacteristic three first-half errors in Origin I and was also targeted in the air in Melbourne. Coach Daley described the Penrith star as โone of my personal favouritesโ as he made one of the biggest calls of his career.
โJack was a part of the 19 down there in Melbourne. Heโs a big body, an aerial threat, and heโs someone that we think will do well in game three,โ Daley said after his team announcement was delayed by 30 minutes while players were told of their selection fates.
โBizza [Toโo] has been one of my personal favourites and someone that has been the Brad Fittler Medal winner [for NSW player of the series] last year. Heโs given great service to NSW and Iโm sure heโll be back, but just for this game we just feel like we just needed to make that change.โ
Manly wrecking ball Haumole Olakauโatu has been recalled on the bench after being relegated to 20th-man duties for game two in Melbourne, while Panthers enforcer Liam Martin starts on a revamped right-edge after the Maroons had a field day targeting Staggs and rookie back-rower Dylan Lucas in Origin II.
Following an emphatic 44-24 demolition at the MCG, the Maroons are warm favourites to secure consecutive series wins on home soil. NSW will head to Suncorp Stadium one of the biggest upsets in recent Origin history.
On the Bluesโ left edge, Best steps in for Koula, who was dropped back to the bench. Clubmate Tom Trbojevic misses out despite a strong return from injury for the Sea Eagles.
Best, 24, has scored three tries in two Origin games, including a memorable four-pointer when the Blues won the decider on Queensland soil in 2024.
The Knights flyer is one of nine survivors from that rare game-three victory at Suncorp Stadium alongside Crichton, Mitchell Moses, Payne Haas, Martin, Cameron Murray, Isaah Yeo, Mitch Barnett and Reec Robson.
Bestโs effort to mop up a loose ball in Newcastleโs nailbiting win over Wests Tigers on Sunday, then push up in support and finish a length-of-the-field try on Sunday is the kind of play Daley would have loved.
Daley highlighted Bestโs experience playing in a Suncorp decider as a key factor in his recall, while of Martinโs return, he said: โHeโs a guy that has never let NSW down.
โHe does bring that aggression, he does give us that guy thatโs been around for a long period of time; he understands Origin, he understands what weโre about to walk into up there at Suncorp Stadium.โ
Crichtonโs recall at right centre โ partnering rugby-bound Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase โ adds defensive starch after he was ruled out of Origin II by the ongoing AC joint issue that has plagued him all season.
The Blues have retained the same playmaking spine of James Tedesco, Moses, Nathan Cleary and Reece Robson, with Robson especially under pressure over a perceived lack of creativity at dummy-half in game two.
Cronulla captain Blayke Brailey returns as back-up hooker, though, after filling the role superbly in Origin I, having made a rapid recovery from a broken arm.
Tigers captain Api Koroisau has been dropped from the same role after not seeing a minute of game-time at the MCG.
Yeo is slated to start at lock once more despite a push for Murray to be brought into the run-on side.
Murray, Sharks big man Addin Fonua-Blake and Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange round out the Blues six-man bench alongside Olakauโatu, Brailey and Koula, with Radley named as 20th man.
NSW Blues squad for Origin III
1. James Tedesco, 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Bradman, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Payne Haas, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Mitch Barnett, 11. Hudson Young 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo (captain). Bench: 14. Cameron Murray, 15. Addin Fonua-Blake, 16. Haumole Olakauโatu, 17. Blayke Brailey, 18. Ethan Strange, 19. Tolutau Koula, 20. Victor Radley
Dan Walsh is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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