2026 State of Origin Game 3 Queensland vs New South Wales - Who will be Man of the Match in the Origin 3?

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Mon 06 Jul 2026 12:56

Jeremy Darke 06 Jul 2026

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Expert picks favor Kalyn Ponga (QLD) and James Tedesco (NSW) for Man of the Match.
Halves and fullbacks have dominated recent Game 3 MOTM awards.
Queensland has won 8 of the last 10 State of Origin deciders.

Who will be Man of the Match

2026 State of Origin Queensland vs New South Wales Man of the Match Predictions

Who will be the most influential player of the series decider and pinch the Man of the Match of Game 3 of the 2026 State of Origin?

2026 State of Origin Queensland vs New South Wales Man of the Match Predictions
Kalyn Ponga (QLD)
James Tedesco (NSW) 17.00

It has been a story of the halves with Nathan Cleary steering the Blues to a Game 1 victory and Sam Walker putting on a clinic in both Game One but being awarded MOTM in Game 2.

History says that it will be a half or a fullback who wins the award in Game 3 and likely a Queenslander with the Maroons dominance in deciders.

Bets.com.au has put together their picks for the MOTM Award for Game 3 of the 2026 Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland.

Since 2017, 9 forwards, 12 halves, 6 fullbacks and 2 centres have won the MOTM honours.
A fullback or half has won Man of the Match in the last 8 Game Threes.
QLD have won 8 of the last 10 deciders.

Check out our Game 3 Match Predictions and First Try Scorer Picks by following their links.

Kalyn Ponga (QLD)

Kalyn PongaMan of the Match$8.50

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The obvious pick here is Sam Walker if Queensland clinch the decider and he will be there in the multiple MOTM Picks put on on Wednesday. However, Kalyn Ponga has been influential in patches (in a good and bad way) this series and I just have vibes that he can be the man to break this game open and make up for the mishap in Game 1.

Ponga looked sharp in the opener before being sent off and in Game 2 he put his head down and put the work in and stayed out of trouble. Game 3 will be a different story and will likely need a game breaker and Ponga can be the key to unlocking the QLD attack giving the Newcastle fullback the opportunity to rack up some line breaks and try assists and maybe even a four-pointer himself.

James Tedesco (NSW) 17.00

James TedescoMan of the Match$12.00

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Teddy was one of the heroes for the Blues in Game 1 and did a mountain of work with 19 runs and 150+ metres in a well beaten side in Game 2.

Nathan Cleary will need another monster to get the Blues home but Tedesco’s experience will be vital for the Blues in Game 3. His work-rate will be up and if the game is on the line and I was in the halves for the Blues, I would be looking for the former NSW captain to get his hands on the ball out the back of the line or in the air like he did in Game 1.

Verdict

State of Origin Game 3 - QLD v NSW

All about the number ones, Kalyn Ponga and James Tedesco.

Kalyn Ponga

Man of the Match

$8.50 - 1 Unit

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James Tedesco

Man of the Match

$12.00 - 1 Unit

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