Barely Interesting 2022 State of Origin Game 3 Preview

So it’s all come down to this, a State of Origin series decider at Lang Park aka Suncorp Stadium, the home of the first Origin game. So there’s as much pressure on our Barely Interesting 2022 State of Origin Game 3 Preview as the players. Well, almost.

Our Barely Interesting 2022 State of Origin Game 3 Preview is much like our weekly NRL previews – lots of barely interesting facts, some colourful visuals, and took a long time to do and likely very few readers.

Some of the stats might get you maroon/blue blood flowing, or change your bet for the big game, or settle an argument or two. Or feature in urinal chats at the Caxton.

Either way the Barely Interesting 2022 State of Origin Game 3 Preview is ready for those who love their stats.

STATE OF ORIGIN 3 PREVIEW – GAME STATS

DECIDERS @ LANG PARK

11 third game deciders at Lang Park – QLD 8 NSW 2 Draw 1

– QLD have won the last five.

– NSW last series decider win @ Lang Pk was 2005

– NSW’s two series wins @ Lang Pk have come when Qld win the first game.

DECIDERS

21 Times third game is a decider at all grounds – QLD 14 NSW 5 Draw 2

12 Times Game Three is a series decider after Qld winning the first game – Record is  QLD 8 NSW 3 Draw 1

Nine of those games @ Lang Pk – Record QLD 6 NSW 2 Draw 1 – Qld won last four.

Five times NSW have won the second game at a neutral venue – NSW won the series four times.

GAME THREE STATS

All Game three – 40 Matches – QLD 26 NSW 12 Draw 2

Of the 40 games – Game One Winner has won Game Three 17 times – and lost 21 times with two draws.

24 Times Game Three at Lang Park – QLD 16 NSW 7 Draw 1

GAME ONE STATS INTO SERIES WINNER

30 Times the Game One Winner has won the series. 16 QLD 8 NSW

17 Times the Game One Winner has conceded 10 or less points in Game One out of 21 occurrences.

20 Times the Game One margin is six points or less – 6 have failed to win the series and 14 have won.

QLD have won the series 6/7 when winning the first game in Sydney

Qld never been beaten at Lang Pk in a decider when winning the first game in Sydney. (2/2)

VERDICT – There’s a lot of Game Three and Decider H2H Stats that favour Queensland. Especially at Suncorp Stadium and after winning the first game in Sydney. But stats are stats

MORE GAME THREE STATS

TOTAL POINTS BY DAY FOR GAME THREE BY VENUE

TOTAL POINTS / AVERAGE MARGIN FOR GAME THREE

STATE OF ORIGIN GAME 3 PREVIEW – PLAYER STATS

Was RCG dudded by not getting called up? Is Josh Papali’i deserving of another chance? What has Tom Gilbert done? Ben Hunt v Tom Dearden?

Answers to those and many other things are available in our next section, where we compile various 2022 player stats and show them side by side by position. 

These are all NRL competition stats not State of Origin.

HALVES

VERDICT – Stats point to starting with Ben Hunt not Tom Dearden.

FULLBACKS

VERDICT – James Tedesco looks a lot better on paper in 2022 than Ponga.

CENTRES / WINGERS

VERDICT – Possibly the most even battle of the position H2H, although Matt Burton proved the difference in Game Two and he’s not usually a centre. For no good reason we say that Dane Gagai will have a blinder, so stuff the stats.

HOOKER

VERDICT – Harry Grant is one hell of a hooker but NSW win this H2H with two quality hookers playing in their regular position. You think Ben Hunt may be forced to help out elsewhere.

STARTING FORWARDS

VERDICT – Tino may enjoy playing with a better side, and he tops a lot of the stats here. But Queensland’s starting forwards in comparison to NSW look a little shy of the Blues’ best.

BENCH FORWARDS

VERDICT – If Patrick Carrigan can get going like he did in Game One then Queensland could have their nose in front here. Jai Arrow has been no slouch too. If you’re looking for Talakai, he is in the Centres-Wingers section. 

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