Who’s in and out of the NSW State of Origin team for game three: Brad Fittler swings the axe

Coach Brad Fittler has made a host of injury-enforced changes to a New South Wales side looking to avoid the shame of a State of Origin whitewash – along with a host of shock selections.

The pressure is firmly on Fittler after NSW surrendered the State of Origin shield in the opening two matches with some curious selections contributing toward those losses.

Now injuries to key personnel have forced the Blues coach series to ring in the changes for the finale on Wednesday, July 12.

In perhaps the biggest shock, Parramatta skipper Clint Gutherson will be deployed from the bench as the Blues aim to prevent a clean sweep by the Maroons at Accor Stadium. 

South Sydney five-eighth Cody Walker has also earned a shock recall, with Penrith star Jarome Luai dropped despite turning in a starring performance for his club against the Melbourne Storm on the weekend. 

Bradman Best is a bolter in the New South Wales side, named after his side pummeled the Bulldogs 66-0 on Sunday

Gutherson will return to the Origin arena after playing his last game for the Blues in the 2020 series, coming off the bench and named for his versatility

Latrell Mitchell (calf) and Tom Trbojevic (pectoral) have both been ruled out for the third State of Origin match through injury

Reigning Dally M player of the year Nicho Hynes has again been snubbed after he was dropped for the second Origin match, despite only having 12 minutes to shine in the centres in game one. 

Another shock announcement was Newcastle centre Bradman Best, who beat Canterbury star Matt Burton to the side after the Knights thrashed the Bulldogs 66-0 on Sunday. 

He will line up in the three-quarter line with Stephen Crichton after both Tom Trbojevic [pectoral muscle] and Latrell Mitchell [calf] were ruled out.

South Sydney star Campbell Graham was not considered because of injury.

‘He’s ruled out,’ Fittler said on Channel 9.

‘I don’t think he’ll be playing for a couple of weeks for the Bunnies.

‘So Campbell won’t be considered.’

Another huge out for the Blues is Kangaroos prop Payne Haas, who suffered a hamstring injury in the Broncos derby win over the Dolphins on Saturday.

He will be replaced by in-form Parramatta prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard while Newcastle forward Jacob Saifiti has been added to the bench. 

Junior Paulo has been sensationally dropped, replaced by popular Blues teammate Jake Trbojevic who will be a welcome inclusion after missing the opening two matches through injury. 

The two hooker combination of Reece Robson and Damien Cook has been retained, with Robson also having the ability to play as a middle or edge forward. 

Fittler’s future as New South Wales coach could go on the line in the dead rubber that still holds plenty of importance for New South Wales

Popular Blues teammate Jake Trbojevic will be a welcome inclusion after missing the opening two Origin matches through injury

Star prop Payne Haas has been ruled out of Origin III after suffering a hamstring injury against the Dolphins

Hynes is the reigning Dally M player of the year and has steered the Cronulla Sharks to second place on the NRL ladder but still couldn’t get a callup for Origin III

James Tedesco will retain his spot as fullback and captain despite concerns over his form and stiff challenges from Dylan Edwards and Scott Drinkwater in recent weeks.

Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu will also make way after playing just 12 minutes in Origin II after his club side was thrashed by a record 74 points by North Queensland on Saturday.

Rampaging South Sydney forward Keaon Koloamatangi will get his chance to stamp himself on the Origin arena after being unavailable for the first two games through injury.

Koloamatangi has already had a taste of representative football, making four appearances for Tonga in the Rugby League World Cup and playing a starring role.

The inclusions of Walker and Koloamatangi come at the expense of Tyson Frizzell and Hudson Young, both of whom have paid the price for the hefty loss in Origin II.

NSW TEAM FOR STATE OF ORIGIN GAME II IN SYDNEY, JULY 12 

There was no room for Jarome Luai in Brad Fittler’s team for State of Origin III in Sydney

1. James Tedesco

2. Brian To’o

3. Stephen Crichton

4. Bradman Best

5. Josh Addo-Carr

6. Cody Walker

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Jake Trbojevic

9. Damien Cook

10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

11. Liam Martin

12. Keaon Koloamatangi

13. Cameron Murray

14. Isaah Yeo

15. Jacob Saifiti

16. Reece Robson

17. Clint Gutherson