Jack Wighton was lost on the 17th with New South Wales coach Brad Fittler naming his team for the Origin decision on Monday.
Jordan McLean will make his Origin debut on the starting lineup with star striker Payne Haas ruled out due to injury.
TEAM QLD: Maroons veterans save ax when Cowboys bolter wins shock call
Parramatta Eels star Regan Campbell-Gillard, who played at the Origin opening, was lost.
Fittler has been left with the same central pair (Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton) who did the work in the second game, while he has also gone with the combination of a double blow to the prostitute with Api Koroisau named protagonist and Damien Cook on the bench.
Queensland legend Cameron Smith, speaking before the teams’ release, said he was surprised the Blues could leave Wighton out.
“I would find a place,” he told SEN Breakfast. “He was the best NSW player in Game 1.”
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Kaufusi will miss the decisive Origin | 00:31
NSW SCHOOL
1. James German (c) (Sydney Roosters)
2. Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
3. Matt Burton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
4. Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers)
5. Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)
6. Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers)
7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
8. Jordan McLean (North Queensland Cowboys)
9. Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers)
10. Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
11. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
12. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)
13. Isaac Yeo (Penrith Panthers)
14. Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
15. Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)
16. Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)
17. Siosifa Talakai (Cronulla-Sutherland sharks)
18. Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders)
19. Hynes Niche (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
20. Clint Gutherson (Parramatta Eels)
21. Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
22. Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys)
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