Source : ABC NEWS
The men’s State of Origin series has gone to a decider, with Queensland and New South Wales sharing the spoils after the opening two matches.
Now the Maroons host Game III in front of their passionate fans at Brisbane’s Lang Park.
There have been 13 Game III deciders played at Lang Park, and the Maroons have won nine of them. But the Blues have won the previous two Origin matches played at The Cauldron, and will be aiming to make history and regain the shield tomorrow night.
Here is what you need to know before kick-off of Game III this Wednesday, July 8.
Where can I watch State of Origin Game III?
The Nine Network has the broadcast rights to the State of Origin series.
Game III will be televised on Channel Nine and streamed online via 9Now.
You can follow the action wherever you are on the ABC Sport live blog.
You can listen to the ABC Sport live call with commentator Andrew Moore, expert analysis by Luke Lewis and Matthew Elliot, along with John Gibbs and Zane Bojack on the touchline.
What time is State of Origin Game III kick-off?
Here is when the kick-off is scheduled in your location.
- 8:05pm: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, Papua New Guinea
- 7:35pm: South Australia, Northern Territory
- 6:05pm: Western Australia
- 10:05pm: New Zealand, Fiji
- 11:05pm: Samoa, Tonga
- 12:05am: Cook Islands
What happened in Game I and Game II?
NSW won the opening match of the series at Stadium Australia in Sydney, pulling off the largest comeback in Origin history.
Queensland raced out to a 20-0 lead in the first half, and led 20-6 at half-time.
But the defining moment of the match came in the 57th minute when Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a shoulder charge that made contact with the head of Blues winger Tolutau Koula.
The visitors were down to 12 men for the remaining 23 minutes, desperately trying to hold on to their 14-point lead.
But the Blues would score three tries, including a stunning individual effort from fullback James Tedesco in the 79th minute, to steal the win.
Needing a win in Game II to force a decider at home, the Maroons mauled the Blues with a historic performance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
It was the Blues who scored the opening two tries of the match to hold a 12-2 lead, and held a 12-8 advantage at half-time.
But the Maroons would produce an attacking masterclass after the break, scoring 36 points in the second half to secure a commanding 44-24 win.
Queensland’s 36 points were the most ever scored in a half of Origin footy, set up by a hat-trick to winger Selwyn Cobbo.
Where is State of Origin Game III being played?
Brisbane’s famous Lang Park, so often the venue of famous Queensland wins, is the location for Game III.
Despite being a Queensland stronghold for long periods of Origin history, the Blues have been victorious in the previous two Origin matches held at The Cauldron.
NSW won Game I of the 2025 series 18-6 and were victorious in a decider at Lang Park, for just the third time, in 2024 with a 14-4 triumph.
Who is playing for the Maroons and Blues?
History of deciders in Men’s State of Origin?
Since the first three-match series was played in 1982, there have been a total of 24 Game III deciders.
History suggests the Maroons are very comfortable in a decider, having won 16 of the 24 played.
NSW have won six, and there have been two drawn deciders (1999 and 2002) where the series was tied.
Of the 24 deciders played, 13 of them have been at Lang Park. Queensland has been victorious in front of their passionate home fans on nine of those occasions. NSW have won just three of the Lang Park deciders, but were victorious in the most recent of these matches (2024).
In 2001, Brisbane hosted a Game III decider at Queen Elizabeth II Stadium after redevelopment works commenced at Lang Park.
Results of every men’s State of Origin decider from 1982-2025
Bold indicates NSW wins in deciders at Lang Park.
2025: QLD win 24-12 at Stadium Australia
2024: NSW win 14-4 at Lang Park
2022: QLD win 22-12 at Lang Park
2020: QLD win 20-14 at Lang Park
2019: NSW win 26-20 at Stadium Australia
2017: QLD win 22-6 at Lang Park
2015: QLD win 52-6 at Lang Park
2013: QLD win 12-10 at Stadium Australia
2012: QLD win 21-20 at Lang Park
2011: QLD win 34-24 at Lang Park
2008: QLD win 16-10 at Stadium Australia
2006: QLD win 16-14 at Docklands Stadium (Melbourne)
2005: NSW win 32-10 at Lang Park
2004: NSW win 36-14 at Stadium Australia
2002: Series tied after 18-all Game III at Stadium Australia
2001: QLD win 40-14 at Queen Elizabeth II Stadium (Brisbane)
1999: Series tied after 10-all Game III at Lang Park
1998: QLD win 19-4 at Sydney Football Stadium
1994: NSW win 27-12 at Lang Park
1992: NSW win 16-4 at Sydney Football Stadium
1991: QLD win 14-12 at Lang Park
1987: QLD win 12-6 at Lang Park
1983: QLD win 43-22 at Lang Park
1982: QLD win 10-5 at Sydney Cricket Ground
