It's another Wednesday night and it's time for the shield-decider. The State of Origin returns with NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons locked in at one apiece ahead of Game 3 at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Game 2 went to the wire and the Maroons will consider themselves lucky to avoid a defeat. Their forward pack was under pressure in the second half but managed to hold on at the death in a dramatic 26-24 win at the Optus Stadium.
In a major twist, Queensland have made the shocking decision to pull Josh Papali out of Origin retirement. While he has played 23 matches for the Maroons, Papali has not featured in the Origin since 2022.
The Blues led by Payne Haas and Isaah Yeo on the other hand, look settled ahead of the high-stakes fixture in Sydney. However, it is their dominant presence in the centres with Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell that sees them enter the decider with a lot of belief.
Here's what you need to know about Wednesday's matchup between the Maroons and the Blues, including broadcast information and start time.
What channel is State of Origin on today?
- TV channel: Channel 9
- Live stream: 9Now
The State of Origin Game 3 between the Maroons and the Blues will air live in Australia on Channel 9.
Fans looking to stream the State of Origin Game 3 can watch live on the Nine Network's 9Now. Additionally, Kayo will stream the replays of all games.
New users of Kayo can currently sign up for a FREE trial. This dedicated streaming service offers affordable, contract-free plans starting at just $25 per month. Plus, it’s a paradise for sports fans, streaming plenty of live action, including cricket, NRL, AFL, F1, and much more.
State of Origin Game 3 start time
This State of Origin match between the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons takes place at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, New South Wales, and kicks off on Wednesday, July 9 at 8:05 p.m. AEST.
Here's how that time translates to different Australian time zones:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time | Wednesday, June 18 | 8:05 p.m. |
| Australian Central Standard Time | Wednesday, June 18 | 7:35 p.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Wednesday, June 18 | 6:05 p.m. |