State of Origin III: Blues claim the shield in Queensland

Press Conferences

Post-game presentation: Nathan Cleary has received the Wally Lewis Medal after claiming his second man-of-the-match award for the series and leading the Blues to a stunning victory at Suncorp Stadium. Isaah Yeo has also hoisted the State of Origin shield, kicking off celebrations for the Blues.

Full-time: The NSW Blues are the 2026 State of Origin champions. Hudson Young put an exclamation mark on the victory with a try after the final siren and the celebrations have begun. Nathan Cleary finally has his Origin moment after orchestrating a sensational first-half performance in which the Blues jumped out to an 18-0 lead. Queensland fought back, scoring once before half-time and soon after the break but NSW did enough to hold off the desperate Maroons and claim just the fourth victory in a decider at Suncorp Stadium. Maroons 12 - Blues 30.  

78th minute: The Blues are aiming up in defence now as they can sense a series victory is within their grasp. Queensland are finding it tough to work out of their own end and were forced to kick the ball from their own 20 metre line. Just two minutes to go now and NSW are starting to celebrate. Maroons 12 - Blues 26. 

74th minute: Both teams want to challenge after a bomb hit the deck, with the referee ultimately ruling a NSW knock on. So it's a Blues challenge, with Tolu Koula unable to catch the ball. After a close look, the Bunker rules the ball travelled back off Koula before Liam Martin scooped it up. It's a successful challenge by the Blues and they have possession. Maroons 12 - Blues 26. 

71st minute: Nathan Cleary has kicked his side out beyond two converted tries. A penalty for a dangerous tackle handed the Blues a chance at two points and the halfback calmly slotted the long-range attempt from nearly 40 metres out. The official crowd has also been posted, with 52,452 fans cramming into Suncorp Stadium to watch a thrilling decider. Maroons 12 - Blues 26. 

69th minute: Let the ball bounce at your peril. NSW fullback Tolu Koula watched a Sam Walker bomb hit the deck, it bounced away from him and into Rob Toia's hands. The centre ran on to the ball and just held off Koula to get over the line. Hold on, the Bunker is taking a look at this. Max Plath is in front of the kicker and was a chaser within 10 metres of the ball. It's a penalty for offside, NSW dodge a bullet, much to the disappointment of the fans at Suncorp Stadium. Maroons 12 - Blues 24. 

66th minute: Jack Bostock has failed his HIA and has been ruled out for the remainder of the match. As it's the Blues second head knock, they have activated their 18th man, with Ethan Strange entering the field. Queensland have also been dealt a blow with Briton Nikora leaving the field for an HIA. Maroons 12 - Blues 24.

64th minute: Queensland have attacked down the wing where Jack Bostock had been playing and they have reaped the rewards. Rob Toia got on the outside of Cam Murray, Bradman Best jammed in and Jojo Fifita scored in the corner. Expect the Maroons to continue attacking down that channel in the final 15 minutes of this contest. Coach Billy Slater has opted for all-out attack, with Kalyn Ponga now entering the field as an additional playmaker. Maroons 12 - Blues 24. 

63rd minute: Queensland have now lodged a Captain's Challenge, alleging an escort in the contest for a bomb. Stephen Crichton collided with Selwyn Cobbo and the Bunker has ruled it's an escort. It's a successful challenge, with Queensland back on the attack. Maroons 8 - Blues 24. 

62nd minute: The torrid nature of this game continues with Jack Bostock hitting his head on the turf after leaping through the air to contest for a bomb. The NSW rookie was back on his feet but has now been asked to leave the field by the independent doctor. The Blues have already used all four interchange players so Mitch Barnett is the player to replace him, but Cam Murray moves to the centres and Bradman Best shifts to the wing. If Bostock fails his HIA, NSW will be able to activate their 18th man. Maroons 8 - Blues 24.

57th minute: Bradman Best has scooped up a loose ball to run 100 metres and score for the Blues. The Bunker will take a forensic look at this after Queensland put up an attacking bomb. Jack Bostock went up for the ball for the Blues along with Queensland's Rob Toia and Jojo Fifita. The ball was knocked down and bounced into Best's lap. The centre was chased by Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga, but he fended him away and scored the try. After a close look at the replays, the Bunker has confirmed the try. With the conversion, Nathan Cleary now has 16 points for the night and is the Blues' greatest point scorer.

Meanwhile, Sam Walker has passed his HIA and has returned to the field, with Reece Walsh moving to fullback and Kalyn Ponga going to the bench. Maroons 8 - Blues 24. 

54th minute: Queensland have all the momentum and NSW Laurie Daley has turned to his bench to try swing this game back in his team's favour. Blayke Brailey replaced Reece Robson a couple of minutes ago and now Payne Haas has just returned to the field for his second stint of the night. Maroons 8 - Blues 18.

50th minute: The Maroons are coming and they have a try in fortuitous circumstances. Selwyn Cobbo put in a grubber, the ball bounced off Tolu Koula's legs and straight back into Cobbo's hands. The winger grounded the ball for the simple try and Suncorp Stadium has found its voice. Maroons 8 - Blues 18. 

47th minute: Momentum has swung back to the Maroons, who produced another big defensive stand. A penalty allowed Queensland to work down the field before they put up a towering bomb. Mark Nawaqanitawase was not able to secure possession and the hosts have another set of six in attacking territory. Maroons 4 - Blues 18. 

44th minute: A mixed bag early for the Maroons, who successfully held out the Blues in the opening minutes of the second half. A Kurt Capewell error handed NSW an attacking chance and they earned a line drop out but couldn't break through. Amid the drama, Sam Walker has left the field for an HIA, with Reece Walsh entering the fray. Capewell has also spilled the ball again, with the Blues back on the attack. Maroons 4 - Blues 18. 

Kick-off: We are back for the second half, with Queensland desperate to strike first as they mount a comeback. The team trailing at half-time has won the first two games of this year's series and Maroons fans will be hoping the trend continues tonight. NSW were superb for the opening 30 minutes but they left the door ajar for a Queensland comeback and will need to be at their best in the second half to claim a famous victory. The Blues have been dealt a blow with James Tedesco failing his HIA, Tolu Koula will slot into fullback. Maroons 4 - Blues 18. 

Half-time: That's half-time on a frenetic 40 minutes of football. The Maroons came up with a crucial defensive stop in the final play of the game to keep in touch with the Blues. NSW jumped out to an 18-0 lead courtesy of some Nathan Cleary brilliance but Queensland came roaring back and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's late try set up a cracking second half of the decider. Maroons 4 - Blues 18.

40th minute: Another massive moment in this game in the final minute before half-time. Cam Munster attempted a midfield up and under, Jack Bostock spilled the ball and it was scooped up by Briton Nikora. James Tedesco attempted to tackle the back-rower but came off second best in a head clash. The NSW fullback has left the field for an HIA, with Tolu Koula replacing him. At the end of it all, it's a NSW penalty for Nikora raising his forearm when Bostock came across to tackle him. Maroons 4 - Blues 18.

36th minute: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow earnt his side the opportunity a couple of minutes ago and the Queensland centre has been rewarded for his effort with the try. The Dolphin got on the outside of opposite Stephen Crichton and had just enough speed to get beat the Blues centre and score the try. Maroons 4 - Blues 18. 

33rd minute: Big moment coming up late in the first half, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow forcing an error from Mark Nawaqanitawase in a contest for a bomb. The knock on hands Queensland an attacking chance and they'll look to capitalise. Maroons 0 - Blues 18.

31st minute: It's a NSW onslaught at Suncorp Stadium, Cam Murray scoring the Blues' third. The lock crashed over next to the posts but it was Nathan Cleary who created the opportunity. Selwyn Cobbo had hit the deck after breaking a tackle, Cleary recognised he wasn't held and produced a one-on-one strip to give his side possession. Maroons 0 - Blues 18.

27th minute: Nathan Cleary has his second and the Blues have extended their lead. Liam Martin got it going back on the halfway line, stepping past Cam Munster before offloading to Stephen Crichton. The centre linked up with winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, who beat a couple of tackles and passed back infield to Cleary, who surged to the try line. Queensland had just started to regain the ascendancy but a set restart late in the set gave NSW a fresh set of six and the Blues capitalised. Maroons 0 - Blues 12.

23rd minute: The coaches have start to turn to their benches, with Billy Slater injecting Trent Loiero and Max Plath into the contest to try swing the match back in Queensland's favour. Cam Murray has entered the fray for the Blues, replacing Mitch Barnett. Maroons 0 - Blues 6.

19th minute: The Blues are finding gaps in the Maroons defensive line and it's taken some desperate Queensland scrambling defence to prevent a second try. Payne Haas put his side on the front foot with a powerful carry before offloading the ball, Bradman Best surged past multiple defenders and linked up with Hudson Young, who was hit hard from behind and spilled the ball a couple of metres out from the try line. Maroons 0 - Blues 6.

15th minute: Nathan Cleary has the first points of the decider. NSW have dominated the past few minutes and forced an error from Maroons winger Selwyn Cobbo with another towering bomb. Queensland have defended valiantly so far but there was no stopping Cleary who stepped past Kurt Capwell and just got his arm to the try line. Maroons 0 - Blues 6.

10th minute: After forcing the error a minute ago, Jack Bostock has had the chance to put his team ahead. The NSW debutant had a clear path to the corner but couldn't reel the last pass in and Queensland survive. The Maroons, however, dropped the ball in the subsequent set and the Blues have another attacking chance. Maroons 0 - Blues 0.

9th minute: NSW held firm a couple of minutes ago and now they get their chance to attack. Nathan Cleary put up a bomb for Jack Bostock, Queensland winger Jojo Fifita knocked it on and it's a Blues attacking scrum. Maroons 0 - Blues 0.

5th minute: Queensland have had the better of the opening exchanges courtesy of Cam Munster's kicking game and they've now got the first penalty of the match. Hudson Young has been placed on report for a lifting tackle and the Maroons will have an early attacking opportunity. Maroons 0 - Blues 0.

Kick-off: The 2026 State of Origin decider is underway. Everything is on the line throughout the next 80 minutes, with Queensland looking to retain the shield on home soil. The Blues are desperate to spring an upset and recreate their stunning victory in the 2024 decider at Suncorp Stadium. NSW will have first use of the ball, with Mitch Barnett taking the first carry of the match. Maroons 0 - Blues 0.

Pre-game ceremony: The players have entered the arena, with NSW receiving a frosty reception from the spectators at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium. The Maroons received a hero's welcome when Cam Munster led the side on to the field, with the Queensland fans erupting in support of their side.

Late Mail

Maroons: Queensland will line up 1-19, with coach Billy Slater confirming his team 90 minutes from kick-off. Slater has the luxury of stability after a dominant victory in Game Two. The Maroons will field the same backline for the decider but there have been a handful of changes up front. Pat Carrigan shapes as a big inclusion and is on track to line up after recovering from an ankle injury that forced him out of the second match of the series. Lindsay Collins will miss the match after suffering a head knock for the Roosters in the Round 17 win over the Broncos. Cowboy Jeremiah Nanai has returned to the Origin arena while Canberra's Corey Horsburgh is also back in the squad as 20th man.

Blues: The Blues are also 1-19, with no changes in the final team update. Laurie Daley has shaken things up as the Blues look to rebound in the decider. Jack Bostock will make his debut on the wing in a new-look backline, with centres Bradman Best and Stephen Crichton also coming into the side. Mitchell Moses retains his place at five-eighth and Ethan Strange has again been named on the six-man bench. Proven performer Liam Martin will start in the bac row in place of Dylan Lucas, while Haumole Olakau'atu comes on to the six-man bench after missing selection for Game Two. Victor Radley reverted to 20th man and dropped out of the squad in Wednesday's team update. The final change sees Blayke Brailey return to the interchange after missing the MCG clash due to a broken arm.

Numbers Game

• The Maroons have won 10 of the last 12 series deciders.
• The Blues have won the last two Origin games played at Suncorp Stadium.
• The Maroons have won the series seven times after losing Game 1.
• Blues Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo will make their 20th Origin appearances.
• Maroons centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 13 tries in 12 Origin games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.