NSW coach Brad Fittler has stuck solid with the 17 players from game two as he pushes for back-to-back Holden State of Origin shields next week at ANZ Stadium.
There may be a question mark over Dragons back rower Tariq Sims, who is fighting a grade two dangerous contact charge in the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night, but Fittler has named him anyway.
Fittler is confident Sims will be cleared to play.
"I know they're trying to make a stance in the game and everyone understands the stance. I'm just not sure if this is the tackle they need to do it," Fittler said.
"We wish him all the best. I feel like once they sit down and scrutinise the timing, considering they had time on the field to scrutinise it with video referees and didn't even give a penalty, so I just think he'll get it downgraded."
Overlooking Knights prop David Klemmer – a veteran of 13 Origins who had a solid showing in game one – will raise the temperature of some Blues fans.
But again Klemmer (wrist) wasn't there in game two when Fittler's men clobbered Queensland 38-6, so he missed out for game three.
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
"It's a tough one because we love Klem and love what he's about," Fittler said.
"It was one of those discussions that was hard but he made it easy … his reaction was so refreshing. He just wished Tariq all the best and said if he got the opportunity he'd love to come into camp again.
"That's why he's a valued member of any team he plays for. He understands team and saw that the boys played really well and why we picked that team again."
The injury cloud over Nathan Cleary (ankle) has not completely lifted but obviously the medical reports Fittler has received from the Panthers are enough to convince him his 21-year-old halfback will be good to go.
"He's walking around without a boot on so that's a great sign. It's progressed really well and I feel like he's going to be okay," Fittler said.
"There's no time limit on Nathan. He's been a pretty important part of the group for the last couple of years. He's going to be our best gauge later in the week with how much power and confidence he's got in it.
"The fact is we've got Wade Graham and Jack Wighton who can play five-eighth.
"We're pretty confident he's going to play, but Wade Graham did a fantastic job in Perth and also Jack Wighton, so we feel very safe with what we've got in camp."
Fittler condident Cleary will play, Klemmer on standby
That good news also means Fittler doesn't have to worry about shuffling his halves for a third game in a row. Cleary and Panthers teammate James Maloney remain together and now have the chance to win a second Origin series together after their 2018 heroics.
Eels captain Clint Gutherson has been named 18th man.
NSW has not won back-to-back series since the run from 2003, '04, '05. The Blues almost snared their fourth consecutive series if not for the magic of Darren Lockyer helping the Maroons to a 2-1 series in 2006 with a 16-14 win in Melbourne in game three. Queensland went on to win the next eight years in a row.
