As it happened: Queensland defy the odds to claim the series

Post match

Following his outstanding performance, the Player of the Match is Tom Dearden.

For the stats that matter, the possession finished up even at 51 percent to the Blues and 49 percent to the Maroons, with Queensland completing at 37/40 and the Blues at 32/41. Errors were a big factor, with the Blues making 11 and the Maroons only 2, with their first coming in the 70th minute. Queensland however gave up seven penalties to two from the Blues. 

Coach Billy Slater's big selection calls to bring in Josh Papalii out of retirement and rookie centre Gehamat Shibasaki for this game and earlier, the shock selection of Robert Toia at centre after only 10 NRL games and making the tough call to promote Munster to captain and Dearden to halfback at the expense of veteran half and skipper Daly Cherry-Evans was vindicated.

Other selections that were questioned were in the forward pack, bringing in Kurt Capewell into the second row and promoting Trent Loiero to start at lock. However, having the impact of Pat Carrigan and Jeremiah Nanai off the bench was a luxury for Queensland. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was handed the fullback jumper for the final game in place of the injured Kalyn Ponga over excitement machine Reece Walsh and also had a strong game.

For the Blues, Liam Martin is set to be sent for scans for an injured right wrist. Martin got his hand strapped before halftime, but played the second half. 

There were no charges from the NRL Match Review Committee following State of Origin III.

Press conferences

New South Wales 

Queensland

Fulltime: A remarkable series wraps up with a remarkable win for Queensland against all odds after their 24-12 win at Accor Stadium. A huge first half from Queensland set the scene for their victory, scoring three first half tries and completing to perfection. Maroons halfback Tom Dearden was immense, scoring two tries, but it was his defence that made a huge difference with some try-saving plays. His skipper Cameron Munster was brave, coming in to play only three days after learning of the devastating news of his father's passing. It was the first time the Maroons claimed a series win after losing Game One for since 2017.

80th min: A well-deserved try for NSW winger To'o who has been one of the best for the Blues all series. Lomax converts and its 24-12. 

79th min: An unsuccessful captain's challenge from the Maroons for an obstruction denies Holmes - who runs 60 metres for no reason - a try to close out the game. 

74th min: The Maroons launch their counter-attack and get another try with Dearden rewarded with another try after putting in some of the game's more impressive defensive efforts. The halfback runs from dummyhalf and burst through some tired defence. Holmes misses the conversion and Queensland lead 24-6. 

70th min: Some end to end and even play, but the Blues lose some of their momentum when the touchie correctly calls a tap on down the left by Latrell Mitchell to To'o forward.

63rd min: An unsuccessful captain's challenge from the Blues after Hudson Young is deemed to have knocked the ball on. 

Crowd update: A huge 80,256 fans on hand to watch the decider at Accor Stadium.

45th min: The Blues are on the board. Stephen Crichton gets their first points after a fantastic tackle earlier in their attacking from Dearden denied Brian To'o a try on the left, so they go over on the right. The Maroons gave up a line drop out and a ruck infringement in the lead up. Zac Lomax slots the conversion and it's 20-6. 

41st min: NSW are switched on to start the second half, with a big run from Stefano Utoikamanu thundering into Reuben Cotter for the first carry.

Halftime: After a shaky start, Queensland steeled themselves to get out to a dominant 20-0 which they take to the break. They have a completion rate of 22/22 with no errors, while the Blues are 13/15 with three errors with the possession leaning towards the Maroons 57 percent to 43. However, NSW have received three penalties to two. While it's a dominant lead at halftime, both sides will be looking back to the second half of Game Two in Perth where NSW roared back to life to score four unanswered tries, so Queensland aren't in the clear by any means just yet. 

39th min: And another try for Queensland with Harry Grant muscling his way over before halftime after a quick play the ball from Dearden by the posts. The Maroons got a line drop out after pressuring the Blues line and get the result. Holmes converts and it's 20-0. 

36th min: A successful captain's challenge from the Maroons garnering them a penalty, with Reece Robson tackling the Hammer without the ball. 

31st min: Big cheer from the home crowd with Spencer Leniu coming on for Payne Haas.

27th min: And Queensland go further in front with Tom Dearden sprinting away to score. The Blues rue not playing to the whistle and when they were pushing Rob Toia towards the sideline, he was able to pop the ball out for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to scoop up and make a break down the right sideline, before passing back inside to his halfback. Holmes converts for 14-0. 

Injury alert: He is still on the field, but Blues forward Liam Martin looks to be in some discomfort, asking for his right hand to be strapped. 

18th min: After a penalty in their attacking zone, Queensland capitalise with Xavier Coates crossing for their first try. A slick backline play with debutant Gehamat Shibasaki bursting through a tackle attempt from Zac Lomax to tap the ball on for his winger. Holmes converts and Queensland are up 8-0.

15th min: First interchange for the Maroons, with Pat Carrigan coming on for Josh Papalii.

8th min: First points come for the Maroons with Valentine Holmes slotting a penalty goal from out to the left after Stephen Crichton was pinged for going high on Kurt Capewell. Maroons lead 2-0.

The points come against the run of play, with the Blues looking expansive earlier, finding some joy down their edges. However a kick by Jarome Luai that went too deep and gave the Maroons a seven tackle set has shifted some of that momentum.

Kick-off: Referee Ashley Klein blows the whistle to get us underway and it's Josh Papalii running the ball back for the Maroons for his first appearance in Origin since 2022. 

Aunty Julie performs the Welcome to Country and the National Anthem has been sung by Erin Mortimer and it's time for the football to begin.

Pre-game: The Blues won the toss earlier and will kick off.

The game is about to kick off shortly - get in front of the TV to watch the action.

Late Mail

Blues: No late changes on game day. Winger Brian To'o will take his place, with Jacob Kiraz the 18th player. Payne Haas completed a light session on Monday night after having an injection for a back injury last week, but has been named to play in the decider. Nathan Cleary (groin), Jarome Luai (infection) and Hudson Young (groin) have all been cleared, however Cleary will not kick goals, with Zac Lomax to again take on that role. 

Maroons: No late changes for the Maroons who are 1-18. An injury to Kalyn Ponga has seen Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow shift to fullback, with Billy Slater calling up Broncos journeyman Gehamat Shibasaki in the centres. Val Holmes returns to the wing as a result. Josh Papalii is set for his first Origin game since 2022 after answering an SOS from Slater and will provide more punch up front for the Maroons. Reece Walsh is the 18th man.

Numbers Game

• The Blues have won four of the past six Origin games played at Accor Stadium.
• Five Maroons players will be appearing in their first Game Three decider.
• The Blues have won only three out of eight Game Three deciders played in Sydney.
• The Maroons are aiming to claim a series win after losing Game One for the first time since 2017.

Earlier in the evening, the curtain raiser between the Under 15 Rise Group 2 v Under 15 Rise Canberra was played.