NSW Blues State of Origin Game 3 team: Bolters added to squad, Daley ignores calls for change

The NSW Blues have named their squad for the State of Origin series decider and Laurie Daley has made some seriously bold calls.

Matthew Sullivan

2 min read

June 29, 2025 - 8:34PM

NRL

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Laurie Daley has made no changes to his team for the State of Origin decider, backing in his existing squad for Game 3 in Sydney on July 9.

Queensland levelled the series with a 26-24 win in Game 2, with the lopsided penalty count the main talking point from the game as the Maroons bounced back.

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NSW’s forward pack came under scrutiny in Perth, with Max King’s position at starting prop under question following the injury to Mitch Barnett that left a hole in the team.

Stefano Utoikamanu’s spot in the team was also seen as under threat, but Daley has stuck to his guns, ignoring calls to bring Rabbitohs gun Keaon Koloamatangi or Tigers recruit Terrell May in to do a job at prop.

In this weekend’s NRL games, Utoikamanu had 33min 60metres 24pcm 1 offload 20 tackles, Koloamatangi had 60min 108m 34pcm 32 tackles, and May had 68min 121m 56pcm 50 tackles, 0 missed.

Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said on SEN after Game 2: “Stefano Utoikamanu is gone. I’m rubbing him out for Game 3. Max King is not a starting Origin front rower. So there’s a starting front rower spot up for grabs for NSW.

“I don’t think you can go with the same starting 13 again. You can’t go with Max King if you’re only giving him that many minutes.”

Daley has reportedly added Sharks second rower Teig Wilton and Parramatta forward Jack Williams to the extended squad for the 10-day camp before the decider at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. Gold Coast’s Brian Kelly has also been added to the squad.

NSW coach Laurie Daley is sticking to his guns. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

That trio aren’t expected to be included in the final 20-man squad but will come into camp as experience and to run opposition at NSW training.

On top of those two additions, Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa has been brought into NSW’s squad as insurance for Nathan Cleary, who is managing a thigh/groin injury.

Katoa, 21, has been in blistering form for the Dolphins and has been given the nod over Broncos veteran Adam Reynolds as the back-up halfback.

Cronulla’s Teig Wilton has been added to the extended squad. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Isaiya Katoa is the back-up halfback for Nathan Cleary. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)

Cleary starred in Penrith’s win over the Bulldogs on Thursday and is expected to be fit to play in the Origin decider.

Elsewhere, winger Brian To’o was cleared by the NRL judiciary of a high shot in Penrith’s win, and he was also given the green light after undergoing scans for a knee injury.

Jarome Luai has been cleared after being hospitalised with an infection, while superstar prop Payne Haas has been declared fit after battling a back injury.

Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz has been named as 18th man for NSW.

Penrith forward Lindsay Smith is 19th man and Newcastle Knights centre Bradman Best has been named as 20th man.

Queensland will name their team for Game 3 on Monday.