State of Origin III

Updated July 09, 2013 12:29:12 Queensland has named an unchanged side to take on New South Wales in the State of Origin decider on July 17. Maroons coach Mal Meninga says it is an advantage to head into Game III at Sydney's Olympic stadium with an unchanged side, after picking the same 17 players that helped defeat the Blues 26-6 in Origin II at Lang Park.

Updated July 08, 2013 14:17:10 Canberra wrecking ball Josh Papalii is hoping his brutal man-of-the-match performance against North Queensland has earned him another crack in the Maroons jersey for the State of Origin decider. Papalii only experienced 11 minutes of game time in his debut Maroons gig in Origin II, then backed that up with an underwhelming 97-metre performance two days later against South Sydney.

Smith said he was confident NRL referees now realised the wide-reaching, negative, impacts the decision had, and that a high stakes game would not be reduced to a soccer match again. He does however expect normal Origin service to resume in Wednesday night's game three, with whistles kept firmly in pocket and penalty counts low.

A SECRET players meeting at League Central two weeks ago could hold the key to NSW reversing seven years of Origin misery. Consumed by desire to end Queensland's dynasty, Blues coach Laurie Daley called a series of gatherings with his most important stars in the immediate wake of their Origin II defeat in Brisbane.

THEIR most capped player is out, their skipper is in doubt, and they're staring down the barrel of eight consecutive series defeats. So the last thing NSW need ahead of next Wednesday's Origin decider are labour pains. But that's the conundrum facing Blues fullback Josh Dugan, whose first child could well be born on match day.

HIGHLY criticised referee Ashley Klein has been dumped for the State of Origin decider after two controversial games with the whistle. Ben Cummins makes his return to the Origin arena for next Wednesday's Game Three blockbuster at ANZ Stadium, teaming up with Shayne Hayne who retains his position.

Eye of the storm: Maroons skipper Cameron Smith shows the signs of battle after Origin II in Brisbane. Photo: Getty Images Queensland captain Cameron Smith says Trent Merrin's attack to the head of Brent Tate in game two typified the lack of respect NSW took to Suncorp Stadium a fortnight ago.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy. Photo: Tom Shaw Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has proposed a radical overhaul of the state-of-origin schedule that would involve games one and three being staged on a Wednesday and game two on a Sunday.

Jesse Williams at Coolum with the Maroons ahead of the third State of Origin rugby league showdown. john mccutcheon HOW big is new NFL signing Jesse Williams? Big enough to cast a shadow over the Maroons' State of Origin preparation at Palmer Coolum Resort yesterday. That's how big.

The latest from Melbourne Storm (@MelbourneStorm). This is the official Twitter account of the 2012 NRL Premiers - Melbourne Storm. The best rugby league club in the world, in the best city in the world. AAMI Park, Melbourne

The Sydney Roosters back-rower, who only turned 21 on June 9, has been training with the Blues all week after being included in an extended squad by coach Laurie Daley on Sunday. Reynolds will be released from the squad to play for the Bulldogs on Sunday, before rejoining the NSW team as 18th man.

If Queensland are worried about their horror record in Sydney before Wednesday's State of Origin decider, they hid it well as they wound down preparations on the Sunshine Coast. The Maroons may have an eighth straight series triumph in sight but overall they have registered just four wins in 20 games since ANZ Stadium was opened in 1999.

It's of little comfort to NSW pivot James Maloney but Sam Thaiday has declared his form didn't merit Queensland State of Origin selection this year and reputation alone got him in. Thaiday admitted on Sunday he had a point to prove by Origin game two after underwhelming form for his battling NRL side Brisbane but few would have predicted his explosive display.

They've lost their best player and the first match under their new manager, then were delayed by an hour in getting into Sydney. But it takes more than that to stop Manchester United. Eventually, the travelling circus that is the world's biggest sporting club arrived on Sunday afternoon, greeted by a throng of fans at Mascot as they rolled off the charter flight from Bangkok.

For one of them, it was his first. For another, his last until this year. Now, following some key withdrawals, halfback Mitchell Pearce and second-rower Ryan Hoffman are the only link between then and now; NSW's last attempt at a decider in Sydney - five years ago - and Wednesday night's final match of the latest series.

Queensland captain Cameron Smith fronted the media in Sydney on Monday morning two days out from the Origin series decider and opened up on the Maroons' preparation for the big game as well as a number of big issues facing rugby league.

Queensland legend Kevin Walters look back on his playing days for Queensland

Storm legend Robbie Kearns re-lives the infamous horse incident that ruled him out of the 1999 State of Origin series

Queensland legend Kevin Walters chats to Storm TV ahead of the all important Game 3 in this year's State of Origin

Queensland legend Kevin Walters chats to Storm TV about what Origin means to him

Cam Smith chatted to the media ahead of the State of Origin decider. Smith believes that NSW will be more dangerous without captain Paul Gallen. Watch the full video to find out the latest

Game III - New South Wales v QueenslandWednesday 17 July, ANZ StadiumKick-off from 8pmTV: Channel 9 from 7:30pmRadio: Triple M 105.1FM from 7pm Queensland and New South Wales will face off at ANZ Stadium in Wednesday night's Origin decider with the Maroons going for an eighth straight series victory.