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Follow Daily Mail Australia’s live blog for all the updates and scores from the final game of this year’s State of Origin series as the Cane Toads look to avenge last year’s loss to the Blues.
Origin tragedy is too much for Maroons coach
Cane Toads assistant coach Josh Hannay couldn’t contain his emotions during a press conference today as he talked about how the team is dealing with the tragic death of Cameron Munster’s father Steve, who passed away on Saturday.
The former Cowboys star broke down as he discussed the impact the shocking death has had on the squad, with Munster putting on a brave face as he rejoined the team on Wednesday after leaving camp when the awful news broke.
Meanwhile, in New York City
Surfing icon and massive Penrith fan Mick Fanning is taking in the action at an Aussie pub in the Big Apple – and drinking a cup of tea.
Some fans will remember he looked like he’d hopped into a few beverages when the Panthers won the 2023 grand final.
Classy gesture from Billy Slater
He’s just been interviewed in the sheds on Channel Nine – and he’s wearing black tape around the sleeve on his Maroons polo top as a mark of respect after the death of Cameron Munster’s father Steven.
Special treat in store for tonight’s anthem
Erin Mortimer, the daughter of Blues legend Steve (pictured together, below) – who captained NSW to their first Origin series victory – will sing Advance Australia Fair.
No late switches from Billy Slater
Queensland are as advertised tonight…
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Xavier Coates 3. Robert Toia 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden 8. Josh Papalii 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Reuben Cotter 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Trent Loiero 14. Kurt Mann 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Patrick Carrigan 17. Jeremiah Nanai
NSW get the first win of the night
Isaah Yeo has won the coin toss and the Cockroaches will kick off.
No late changes for NSW
Here’s how the Blues will run out…
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To’o 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Latrell Mitchell 5. Zac Lomax 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Max King 9. Reece Robson 10. Payne Haas 11. Liam Martin 12. Angus Crichton 13. Isaah Yeo Reserves: 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Hudson Young 17. Stefano Utoikamanu
Brian To’o can break an Origin record tonight
No, not for most cans of Coke Zero consumed before a match.
The Blues winger has four tries in this series – two more tonight and he’ll pass the record of five set by Ryan Girdler in 2000 and Lote Tuqiri in 2002.
Marto is the odd man out
The Blues are at the ground and it looks like Liam Martin cannot wait to get into it. While his teammates are suited and booted, he’s sporting his NSW training top.
Fan makes outrageous bets
Someone we can only assume is a Blues fanatic has put down $90,000 in two wagers on Laurie Daley’s men to win.
Revisiting the biggest controversy of game two
Referee Ashley Klein outraged Blues fans when he delivered a 10-2 penalty count in favour of the Maroons in Perth, with the Cockroaches belted 8-0 at halftime.
He’s back in charge for tonight’s match, despite just about every fan south of the Tweed wishing he was watching proceedings from his lounge room.
And if you’d like to get personal with your name-calling tonight, Klein is being joined by touch judges Dave Munro and Chris Sutton, with Chris Butler the senior review official.
The fans are already out in force
Accor Stadium is sold out for tonight’s game and there’s already a sea of blue in Homebush, dotted with a few Maroon islands.
Fans slam the pregame entertainment – hours before it even starts
Aussie country singer Brad Cox is providing the music before the big game. After being whacked for going with ‘has-been’ musical acts, the NRL has chosen someone who’s very current… and got whacked anyway.
Some bad news for the Blues
Prop Payne Haas has been spotted wearing a heat pack on his injured back during the team’s pre-match walk this afternoon in a sign his battle with a painful back injury is going right down to the wire.
The Blues road-grader is going to take the field tonight, with the team doctor insisting he won’t need painkillers to play – but whether he’s able to play at 100 per cent seems up in the air.
G’day and welcome
Thanks for joining Daily Mail Australia for our live coverage of the deciding game of the 2025 Origin series.
Stick with us as we bring you all the latest updates, controversies and action from the field as the Blues try to make it two titles in a row – and the Maroons try to win it for skipper Cameron Munster after his family tragedy this week.
