Origin III predicted teams: Stalwart’s shock Maroons un-retirement, Hammer puts hand up for fullback spot….
Here are the confirmed and predicted teams for State of Origin Game III (Saturday, July 9 in Sydney) based on the latest updates:
Coach Laurie Daley has retained the same starting 17 that featured in Game II, with the following lineup :
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Brian To’o
3. Stephen Crichton
4. Latrell Mitchell
5. Zac Lomax
6. Jarome Luai (or Mitchell Moses?)
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Max King
9. Reece Robson
10. Payne Haas
11. Liam Martin
12. Angus Crichton
13. Isaah Yeo (c)
14. Connor Watson
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Hudson Young
17. Stefano Utoikamanu
Extended bench: Jacob Kiraz, Lindsay Smith, Bradman Best .
Coach Billy Slater has caused a stir with two bold moves, with the following 17‑man squad announced :
Starting 1–17
1. Hamiso Tabuai‑Fidow (shifted from wing/centre to fullback)
2. Xavier Coates
3. Robert Toia
4. Gehamat Shibasaki (surprise debut)
5. Valentine Holmes (wing)
6. Cameron Munster (c)
7. Tom Dearden
8. Josh Papali’i (comes out of Origin retirement)
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Reuben Cotter
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Trent Loiero
14. Kurt Mann
15. Lindsay Collins
16. Pat Carrigan
17. Jeremiah Nanai
Extended bench:
18. Reece Walsh (18th man)
19. Josh Kerr
20. J’maine Hopgood
Papali’i returns after stepping away in 2023—a powerful front-row addition .
Shibasaki earns a shock debut, fresh from Japanese rugby and in fine NRL form .
The fullback battle concluded with Tabuai‑Fidow winning the No. 1 spot; Walsh is relegated to 18th despite his claims to the jersey .
QLD Papali’i return, Shibasaki debut, Tabuai‑Fidow in as #1 Injects aggression, experience, and continuity
NSW No changes, faith in existing squad Seeking consistency and cohesion
Fullback Queensland chooses continuity and fitness over raw star power Demonstrates Slater’s cautious risk management
Wayne Bennett questioned Tabuai‑Fidow’s suitability at fullback, preferring to keep him in his utility position .
“The Hammer” (Tabuai‑Fidow) has publicly pushed for the No. 1 jersey, saying *“To have that No.1 on my back, would be super…”* .
Cooper Cronk and other experts have weighed in, though opinions are mixed on whether Walsh or Tabuai‑Fidow best fills the role .
Let me know if you’d like a deeper analysis on how these picks affect the head-to-head matchups or what this means for tactics in Game III!
