Parker's 'damning facts' for Freddy... and the question 'no one wants ...

The NSW Blues will attempt to save face on home soil, while ruthless Queensland can complete a rare 3-0 whitewash in Game 3 of the 2023 State of Origin at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.

The heat is on the Blues — in particular their coach Brad Fittler and captain James Tedesco — as NSW aim to avoid the first Origin series sweep in 13 years. The Maroons, meanwhile, continue to thrive under Billy Slater and may be sending off skipper Daly Cherry-Evans who, at 34, has admitted he’s weighing up his international future.

Follow below for all the latest news and build-up throughout the day, and live coverage of the match tonight, beginning at 8.05pm AEST.

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ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know about Origin Game III

TEAMS: State of Origin team lists for both NSW and Queensland

KICK-OFF: What time will State of Origin Game II actually start?

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PARKER’S ‘DAMNING FACTS’ FOR NSW... AND THE QUESTION ‘NO ONE WANTS TO TOUCH’

Queensland great Corey Parker has delivered a reality check to the Blues ahead of Origin III, accusing their coaching staff of mixed messaging that has contributed to the team’s downfall.

Speaking on Fox League’s ‘NRL 360’, Parker laid out a series of decisions made by Brad Fittler that, when combined, present a compelling case against the Blues coach.

NRL 360 co-host Braith Anasta described them as “pretty damning facts”, with the latest strike against Fittler coming after Stefano Utoikamanu fronted the media on Tuesday.

The Tigers forward, who played just 12 minutes in game two, was dropped for Wednesday’s clash at Accor Stadium and revealed Fittler told him he was “being rested”.

That was just one example Parker pointed towards though, also bringing up Nicho Hynes’ limited role before being dropped and the inclusion of Cody Walker for Origin III.

Blues coach Brad Fittler is under pressure. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“Respectfully speaking some of the decisions that have been made throughout the series in regards to who is playing where have 100 per cent contributed to a win or a loss,” Parker said.

“I mean you go through some of the messaging. Bradman Best has come into the team and congratulations to Bradman, I hope he goes great, looking to the future. Then they go with Cody Walker who is 33 and at the back-end of his career.

“Reagan Campbell-Gillard didn’t play the style of football they liked last year but he’s back into the team. Tevita Pangai Junior played his small period and he was out of the team.

“Utoikamanu comes in, plays 10 minutes and now we’re told he’s rested... these decisions deadset play their part. Matt Burton has been part of the series for the first two games, had an opportunity and couldn’t get a gig.

“Liam Martin and Cam Murray [in] game one were your two best players yet couldn’t get on the field. Cam Murray was held off the field for 47 minutes in game two. These are the facts. I’m not making this stuff up.”

“Nicho Hynes played 10 minutes. He was brought into the team to play a style and couldn’t get his way back into the team,” Parker later continued.

“Hudson Young out, Tyson Frizell out. What is the messaging to these players? Honestly?”

Utoikamanu certainly seemed at a loss to explain why exactly he had been dropped ahead of game three, outside of being told he was being “rested” in a “brief” phone call from Fittler.

Stefano Utoikamanu didn’t get much of a chance to impress. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

There have also been question marks over skipper James Tedesco’s spot in the team going forward, with Michael Ennis admitting the Roosters fullback is under pressure to perform.

“The question no one wants to touch because it’s tough, Teddy what is he 32? [He has] played a lot of footy, a champion, probably will have a statue. Could this be his last game?” asked Gorden Tallis.

There have been calls for NSW to give Tedesco’s job to the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic or reigning Clive Churchill medallist Dylan Edwards.

“He has got to play well, there’s no doubt about that and jeez you’d be brave to write him off,” Ennis said.

“What he’s been able to do in this game, particularly at this level, particularly in front of his home fans at Accor (Stadium).”

“He has to play well, it has been a year we didn’t expect from James Tedesco even at the Roosters.

“He has just been uncharacteristically quiet, and I feel like the Roosters form has somewhat seeped into his game at representative level.

“I still have no doubt he plays well tomorrow night, I think he has a big game.”

MAROONS DISMISSES BEST’S ‘I HATE’ QUEENSLAND COMMENTS

Queensland assistant coach Cameron Smith has said the Maroons have dismissed the comments from Blues debutant Bradman Best where he expressed his “hate” for Queensland.

Smith was asked if Best would have a target on his back in Game III after the comments and responded “no, not really”, accompanied by a slight swipe at the Blues, stating the Maroons “love playing for Queensland” instead of worrying about the opposition do or say.

“We’ve heard a few comments from other players in this series that hate Queensland so that’s not a focus of ours,” Smith said.

“You know what our players do? They love playing for Queensland; it’s nothing about the opposition, they love representing their own people and own state.

“Members of the opposition can make whatever comment they want, our side is firmly concentrating on their footy and how they want to represent their people.

Smith was also asked if there’s a chance Maroons debutant Corey Horsburgh will be baited into a flare up by the Blues.

“I’m not,” the Queensland legend said.

“Being down two-nil and possibly facing a series whitewash, the Blues will be concerned about a few other things than trying to fire Corey Horsburgh up.”

BRANDY CONFIDENT OF A BLUES TURNAROUND

Blues advisor Greg Alexander believes New South Wales will thwart Queensland’s attempt of a 3-0 sweep tonight.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning, Alexander praised the players for their attitude in camp and senses they’re ready to finally translate it to success on the field.

“There’s been a positive vibe for all camps. I’ve spoken about previous camps and how they’ve been good. Players have been connecting well,” Alexander said.

“For some reason it just hasn’t happened on the field like we wanted it to, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to happen tonight.

“The training’s been good. There are a host of new players, five have been apart of this side or the nucleus of this side before. Bradman (Best) and Keaon (Kolomatangi) are very excited, the players that are going to make their debut.”

Alexander was then asked if he remembered his first year representing the Blues - the 1989 Origin series which Queensland won 3-0.

“Yes I can. It’s not fun. Not fun,” he said.

If the Blues were to drop the final game and lose the series 3-0, it would be the first whitewash since the Maroons won all three matches in 2010. For what it’s worth, New South Wales haven’t won a series 3-0 in 23 years (2000).

Despite the fact the series is out of reach for the Blues this year, Alexander says the approach or mindset “doesn’t change one bit.”

“This game is as important as a decider, Game I, looking to clean sweep, looking to stop a clean sweep. This game as important,” Alexander said.

“Origin is three grand finals. Just because you’ve lost the first two doesn’t make the last one less important.”

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BLUES LATE SWITCH ‘WON’T HAPPEN’

There had been growing speculation the Blues would pull a late selection surprise by promoting Panthers prop Spencer Leniu from 19th man into the 17, possibly at the expense of either Damien Cook or Clint Gutherson.

Fittler bluntly shut down the possibility on Tuesday and Daily Telegraph reporter David Riccio reported on NRL 360 the Blues coach was not foxing.

“It won’t happen. The Blues will be 1-17,” Riccio said. “... there was certainly some suggestions that (Leniu) could be a late inclusion but all my discussions today with Blues officials indicate that he will miss out and it will be that same side that they named.”

Fellow Daily Telegraph reporter Paul Crawley said it would have been “shameful” for the Blues to drop a player who had missed a club game and been named to play, while former NSW hooker Michael Ennis agreed it was the right decision to stick with the existing team.

“I felt like Spencer is not far away, I think we all agree. That interchange impact role I think he is probably the best in the game,” Ennis said.

“But when I heard the noise about him coming in to the side I thought ‘I hope not’. I felt like when they named that 17 that those blokes deserve to play on Wednesday night.“We probably didn’t need any disruptions close to the game.”

It’s appearing less and less likely Spencer Leniu won’t be promoted to the Blues’ 1-17 side for Game III.Source: News Corp Australia

QLD GREAT TELLS BLUES HALVES THE PRESSURE IS OFF

The Blues’ new halves combination of Mitch Moses and Cody Walker has a huge job ahead to salvage a win out of this series — but QLD great Corey Parker believes the duo should let it go and just have fun.

Moses replaced the injured Nathan Cleary in Game 2 while South Sydney veteran Walker will play his first game of the series. Parker said there was every chance neither player would figure for the Blues next year, and the players should approach Wednesday night with nothing to lose.”

“I look at it a bit differently,” Parker said. “Cody Walker is 33 years of age, he’s at the back-end of his career, he’s not going to be in a Blues jersey for a long period of time. Go out there and have a bit of fun, which is what we see him do for Souths.

“.. and Mitch Moses. To be fair, if Nathan Cleary is fit, Mitch Moses doesn’t get to play No.7 again so same thing — go out there and have some fun. Mitch can be the best player on the park and brain it, but he’s not playing 7 next year, that’s the cold, hard reality of it.

“So he’s on a hiding to nothing — go out there and have some fun. That would be my message to them.”