State of Origin decider closer as teams are finalised
Billy Slater has overlooked Titan David Fifita, once again, despite making four changes to his side that was demolished in game two in Melbourne. A Knights duo and a Bronco have been re-called, while in New South Wales, the man replacing Latrell Mitchell needed scans on a hamstring concern.
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00:00The two new faces to a confident blue side that were simply brilliant at the MCG.
00:11Warrior Mitch Barnett, the lone debutant on the bench, while Bradman Best returns for
00:16his second match against the Maroons, though little's changed.
00:22The night centre, who's replaced an injured Luttrell Mitchell, pulling up with a tight
00:27hamstring yesterday.
00:29Obviously they're going to manage the load throughout the week, but it'll be all good.
00:33Bradman, I think in the last month, has really shown what he's capable of doing and, yeah,
00:37it was sort of an easy pick for me.
00:40North of the border, Billy Slater was forced into more changes.
00:44Injuries to both wingers opening the door for Selwyn Cobbo and 22-game Origin veteran
00:50Dane Gagai to return.
00:52If I'm going to be honest, it did cross my mind whether I'd be able to get the call back
00:55into the team, but, yeah, this is a jersey you never want to give up, but then it's
01:00also a jersey you always have to earn.
01:02Titan David Fafita still out of favour, with Kurt Capewell the preferred choice.
01:07This is the 17 that we feel is the best 17 for game three at Suncoil.
01:12While Calum Ponga will be teammates with Reece Walsh for the first time.
01:16I've been thinking about that for a little while.
01:18I've got visions of him going down the sideline and passing back into me.
01:21The Maroons have altered their preparations after the Melbourne thrashing,
01:26abandoning their traditional open media session ahead of the decider.
01:31It's not a sign of panic stations or anything like that.
01:34I wouldn't have thought so.
01:35Players talking to media is certainly not a factor in performance from game two.
01:40I sort of see the team as part of the people's team.
01:43It's something there that, I guess, our group's adopted that, you know,
01:46we want to bring everyone on the journey.
01:51.