The State of Origin is heading into the final game of the series in Game 3 as the Queensland Maroons face off against the NSW Blues at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday.
After suffering a narrow defeat in game one in Brisbane, Queensland responded with intensity and flair in Perth. The Maroons dominated the opening half, stunning New South Wales with a ruthless attacking display.
Despite a second-half surge from the Blues, Queensland held firm to claim a thrilling 26-24 victory and level the series. That result has set the stage for a blockbuster decider in Sydney, where tensions will be high and the stakes even higher.
Much of the pre-match chatter ahead of Game 3 has centred around Billy Slater’s bold selection moves and the sell-out crowd at Accor Stadium. Slater shocked many by axing veteran halfback and captain Daly Cherry-Evans after game one, instead handing the reins to Tom Dearden and promoting Cameron Munster to captain.
Now, he’s made more daring calls — bringing veteran prop Josh Papalii out of representative retirement and handing a debut to Gehamat Shibasaki in the centres. With Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow shifting to fullback in place of the injured Kalyn Ponga, Slater’s gamble will face its biggest test yet under the bright lights in Sydney.
New South Wales, meanwhile, have opted for stability. Laurie Daley has stuck with the same 17 that fell short in Perth, backing them to bounce back on home turf. However, the Blues’ preparations have been clouded by injury concerns to several key players. Nathan Cleary, Payne Haas, Brian To’o, Hudson Young, and Jarome Luai are all battling fitness issues but are expected to take the field.
With the series on the line, Daley is betting on consistency, but the pressure is on to deliver in front of a capacity crowd.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this State of Origin clash, including how to watch the match and kickoff times.
What time does Queensland Maroons vs. NSW Blues State of Origin kick off?
This State of Origin Game 3 takes place at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia, and kicks off on Wednesday, July 9 at 8:05 p.m. local time (AEST).
The final of the three Queensland Maroons vs. NSW Blues matches in the State of Origin will kick off at 8:05 p.m. (AEST).
Here's how that kick-off time translates to the various Australian time zones:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time | Wednesday, July 9 | 8:05 p.m. |
| Australian Central Standard Time | Wednesday, July 9 | 7:35 p.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Wednesday, July 9 | 6:05 p.m. |
Queensland Maroons vs. NSW Blues: State of Origin Live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Queensland Maroons vs. NSW Blues match in Australia.
- Live Stream: 9Now
- TV Channel: Nine Network
This State of Origin match is available for live TV broadcast in Australia on the Nine Network. Streaming options are available on 9Now. Kayo will have the full replay of all three games available.
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, AFL, F1, and much more.
State of Origin 2025 fixture schedule
All times AEST
Wednesday, July 9
- Queensland Maroons vs. NSW Blues (8:05 p.m.) at Accor Stadium