ORIGIN SERIES HEADS INTO DECIDER

SOURCE: NRL: The 2026 State of Origin series heads to Brisbane today for Game and a live decider, with the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons desperate to lift the shield at Suncorp Stadium.

Kick-off is scheduled for 8:05pm (AEST) tonight, with the Maroons having won Game 2 in Melbourne, and the Blues winning Game 1 in Sydney.

The Maroons have lost their last two in Brisbane, but a live decider and all the momentum means they come into the contest as favourites.

Meantime, NSW coach Laurie Daley has sensationally axed Panthers’ winger Brian To’o in one of several changes for the Origin decider.

To’o, NSW’s equal-greatest all-time try scorer, struggled through Origin I and II against the height of Jojo Fifita, with Daley opting to drop him in favour of the 194cm Jack Bostock.

While QLD Coach, Billy Slater has made three changes to his 20-man squad heading into Game III,

Having injured his ankle in Round 13 and not played a game since, Patrick Carrigan has returned to the Maroons squad.

Corey Horsburgh and Jeremiah Nanai join the Broncos’ lock with Lindsay Collins being ruled out following his failed HIA in the Roosters’ win against Brisbane, with Heilum Luki and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki not featuring.

The NRL typically do not adhere to a strict schedule for kick-off, and the whistle may actually be blown to start the game some minutes later than the advertised time as has been the case in previous years and was again in Game 1.