State of Origin III: Blues strike first in decider

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.