NSW Blues Make Shocking Changes for State of Origin Series Decider

Coach Laurie Daley has wielded the axe on his NSW team ahead of the State of Origin series decider, with Blues mainstay Brian To'o and Brisbane star Kotoni Staggs among four players dropped.

Needing to defy history to reclaim the shield, Daley made a series of changes for game three on July 8 in Brisbane, headlined by Canterbury's Stephen Crichton returning to the centres after missing game two with a shoulder injury.

Crichton replaces Staggs in the No.4 jersey after the Brisbane centre had a tough night in the Blues' 44-24 capitulation to Queensland at the MCG on June 17. But the biggest shock is the omission of To'o despite him scoring nine tries this season to help Penrith shoot to the top of the NRL ladder.

To'o has featured in every Origin game since his first appearance in 2021, but has been replaced by the Dolphins Jack Bostock after failing to score a try in the first two games this year. Bostock was left on the extended bench for game two and has yet to make an Origin appearance.

Newcastle's Bradman Best has been parachuted into the No.3 jersey for Tolutau Koula after the Manly winger was moved into the centres as Casey McLean suffered an injury before game two. Koula has been named on the bench for game three.

Penrith second-rower Liam Martin will also join the squad in place of Newcastle's Dylan Lucas, who had a quiet night in Melbourne. Martin has played an integral role in the Panthers' dynasty and was a regular in the Blues' squad between 2021 and 2025, but was overlooked for the opening two matches.

After scoring two tries for Manly on Saturday, second-rower Haumole Olakau'atu has been called up from 20th man to the bench, swapping places with Sydney Roosters livewire Victor Radley. Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey has also been named on the bench instead of Wests Tigers' Apisai Koroisau, after missing game two with a broken arm.

Daley stuck to his guns in the halves, keeping the experienced duo of Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary, while game one hero Ethan Strange remains on the bench.

NSW's hopes of winning the decider were already dealt a blow as star centre Latrell Mitchell was ruled out with a calf issue.

The reshuffling follows an outpouring of heavy criticism against Daley after the game two defeat. With his contract not yet renewed for 2027 and mounting noise for NSW to sack him, Daley is hoping his selection bets pay off and lead to an upset victory.

If his choices reward him, the Blues can become only the second NSW team in the last 20 years to clinch a series at Lang Park in Origin III.

In the day's NRL matches, Canberra kept their faint finals hopes alive with a 24-16 win over St George Illawarra before a spectacular, length of the field try in the final minutes delivered Newcastle a 12-6 victory over Wests Tigers.

Full New South Wales team for Origin III 1.James Tedesco, 2. Jack Bostock (debut), 3. Bradman Best, 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 Interchange: 14. Cameron Murray, 15. Addin Fonua-Blake, 16. Haumole Olakau'atu, 17. Blayke Brailey, 18. Ethan Strange, 19. Tolu Koula Reserve: 20. Victor Radley AAP