Blayke Brailey has been recalled after missing game two, Addin Fonua Blake has also been named in the Blues squad for the deciding match of the Origin series, with the pair to come up against Briton Nikora and the Queensland side for game three to be played at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, July 8.
After playing a starring role off the bench in the opening match of the 2026 Origin series, a fractured arm kept Brailey out of game two, however following a successful return in the Sharks game against the Roosters the talented number nine has been named on the Blues bench.
Also included in the NSW squad is Fonua Blake, set to play his third game of the 2026 series. Similarly Nikora will also play in game three after coming off the Maroons bench in game one, before starting and playing the full 80 minutes for Queensland in game two.
In other NSW team news, Dolphins winger Jack Bostock has been named to make his debut among five changes for the Westpac NSW Blues.
Bostock, who was named in the No.19 jumper for Game Two at the MCG in Melbourne but did not take the field, will start on the wing.
The NSW changes include Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) and Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights) in the centres, Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers) in the back-row and Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles) and Brailey (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) who returns on the bench.
Toluta’u Koula (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles) and Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), who both played in the first two games, have been named in the 20-player squad. Koula will wear No.19 and Radley No.20.
For Queensland, with Lindsay Collins ruled out of the series decider due to concussion, Bronco Patrick Carrigan has been named despite being sidelined in recent weeks with an ankle injury.
The Origin series is currently tied at 1-all after the Blues claimed Game One in Sydney 22-20 before Queensland secured Game Two 44-24 in Melbourne.
Westpac NSW Blues squad
1. James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
2. Jack Bostock (Dolphins)**
3. Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights)
4. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters)
6. Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
8. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
9. Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters)
10. Mitchell Barnett (Warriors)
11. Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
12. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)
13. Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers)
14. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
15. Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
16. Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
17. Blayke Brailey (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
18. Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders)
19. Toluta’u Koula (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
20. Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
Coach: Laurie Daley
** Yet to debut for NSW
Queensland squad
Kurt Capewell (Warriors)
Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins)
Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)
Jojo Fifita (Titans)
Thomas Flegler (Dolphins)
Harry Grant (Storm)
Corey Horsburgh (Raiders)
Trent Loiero (Storm)
Cameron Munster (c) (Storm)
Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys)
Briton Nikora (Sharks)
Max Plath (Dolphins)
Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
Murray Taulagi (Cowboys)
Robert Toia (Roosters)
Sam Walker (Roosters)
Reece Walsh (Broncos)
