NSW axe To’o, hand winger debut and recall proven stars for Origin III

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 To’o as Laurie Daley made five changes for the series decider.

To’o, 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, To’o’s axing is still a shock given he has played 17 straight games for the Blues since his 2017 debut.

To’o 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 “one of my personal favourites” as he made one of the biggest calls of his career.

“Jack was a part of the 19 down there in Melbourne. He’s a big body, an aerial threat, and he’s someone that we think will do well in game three,” Daley said after his team announcement was delayed by 30 minutes while players were told of their selection fates.

“Bizza [To’o] 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. He’s given great service to NSW and I’m sure he’ll be back, but just for this game we just feel like we just needed to make that change.”

Manly wrecking ball Haumole Olakau’atu 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 Blues’ 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.

Best’s effort to mop up a loose ball in Newcastle’s 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 Best’s experience playing in a Suncorp decider as a key factor in his recall, while of Martin’s return, he said: “He’s a guy that has never let NSW down.

“He does bring that aggression, he does give us that guy that’s been around for a long period of time; he understands Origin, he understands what we’re about to walk into up there at Suncorp Stadium.”

Crichton’s recall at right centre – partnering rugby-bound Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase – 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 Olakau’atu, Brailey and Koula, with Radley named as 20th man.