State of Origin Game III: Maroons host Blues in series decider at Lang Park
The men's State of Origin series has reached its deciding match, with Queensland and New South Wales sharing the spoils after the opening two games. Queensland now hosts Game III at Brisbane's Lang Park, a venue steeped in Origin history as the Maroons look to clinch the series on home soil.
According to ABC Australia, the Maroons levelled the series three weeks ago in Melbourne, following a historic performance in Game II at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. New South Wales, meanwhile, claimed the opening match at Stadium Australia in Sydney with the largest comeback in Origin history.
Venue history and series context
Lang Park, affectionately known as "The Cauldron," has hosted 13 Game III deciders, and the Maroons have won nine of them, ABC Australia reported. However, the Blues have won only three deciders at the venue in 13 attempts, though they were victorious the last time the series was up for grabs in Brisbane. Overall, the Maroons have won 16 of the 24 Game III deciders ever played, according to the broadcaster.
The statistics underline the challenge facing New South Wales as they attempt to overcome Queensland's strong record in Brisbane deciders. The Blues will be aiming to make history and regain the shield, as ABC Australia put it.
Broadcast and kick-off details
The Nine Network holds the broadcast rights to the State of Origin series, with ABC Australia reporting that Game III will be televised on Channel Nine and streamed online via 9Now. Fans can also follow live coverage on the ABC Sport live blog and listen to the ABC Sport live call, featuring commentator Andrew Moore, expert analysis from Luke Lewis and Matthew Elliot, and touchline reporters John Gibbs and Zane Bojack.
Kick-off times vary across Australia and the Pacific region, as detailed by ABC Australia:
- 8:05pm: New South Wales, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory, 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
Recap of Games I and II
The series opener at Stadium Australia in Sydney saw New South Wales pull off a remarkable comeback, according to ABC Australia. Queensland raced to a 20-0 lead in the first half and led 20-6 at half-time, but the match turned 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. Reduced to 12 men for the remaining 23 minutes, Queensland tried to hold on to their 14-point lead.
The Blues then scored three tries, including a stunning individual effort from fullback James Tedesco in the 79th minute, to steal the win.
In Game II, Queensland needed a win to force a decider at home, and they delivered with a historic performance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, levelling the series.
Key claims
- 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.
- Queensland hosts New South Wales at Lang Park in Game III, a venue where the Maroons have won nine of 13 Game III deciders.
- The Blues have won a decider at Lang Park just three times in 13 attempts.
- The Maroons have won 16 of the 24 Game III deciders played overall.
- New South Wales won the opening match at Stadium Australia in Sydney with the largest comeback in Origin history.
- Queensland won Game II with a historic performance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
- The Maroons levelled the series three weeks ago in Melbourne.