Laurie Daley has done it again.

Just when Blues fans dared to believe that heading into a Suncorp decider might inspire some selectorial clarity, NSW’s coach has named a Game 3 squad that has left the rugby league world simultaneously baffled, frustrated, and shaking its collective head. With everything on the line at Suncorp Stadium, these are the decisions dominating the conversation.

Moses Retained: Loyalty Over Logic

The most glaring issue in the Game 3 squad is the continued selection of Mitch Moses in the halves alongside Nathan Cleary. On the surface, it sounds reasonable, two representative halfbacks, one team.

However the Parramatta Eels sit near the bottom of the competition, with a points differential of -144. They are, by most metrics, one of the worst teams in the competition. And whilst their captain and halfback has been missing for most of it. Moses endured a particularly damaging performance in his most recent match against against South Sydney, finishing with four errors and five missed tackles, while two defensive misreads directly led to opposition tries.

Even before Game 2, Daley attracted criticism for taking the enormous risk of playing Moses at five-eighth, axing Ethan Strange to the bench despite Strange being among the Blues’ best performers in Game 1. The Canberra Raiders playmaker, remains the more in-form option, is younger, and has proven he can operate at this level. Yet Daley ploughs on, and Moses keeps his spot.

The question Daley must now answer heading into the decider is simple: at what point does club form become impossible to ignore?

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Brian To’o Axed: One of the Greatest Wingers NSW Has Ever Had, Gone for a Kid

This is the selection that will spark the loudest debate.

Brian To’o has been dropped from the Game 3 squad in favour of Dolphins youngster Jack Bostock. Let that sit for a moment. To’o is a central figure in Penrith’s four consecutive premierships from 2021 to 2024, a two-time Dally M Winger of the Year, and arguably the most decorated winger of the modern era. In the 2025 State of Origin series alone, he scored a record-equalling five tries across three games, earning the Brad Fittler Medal as the NSW Blues Player of the Series.

Now, heading into a series decider, the highest-pressure match NSW will play all year, Daley has decided to hand his starting wing berth to a 22-year-old who is only a few months removed from an ACL injury and playing the in centres for his club.

Bostock has genuine talent, no one is questioning that, but parachuting him into a State of Origin decider ahead of one of the game’s elite wingers is a decision that requires extraordinary justification.

Dylan Lucas Dumped After One Game: The Revolving Door Continues

If the Moses retention and To’o axing weren’t enough, consider the case of Dylan Lucas.

Lucas made his Origin debut in Game 2 in place of Haumole Olakau’atu, who was dropped. He played one game and has now been shown the door, despite a strong showing this weekend for the Knights. This is a player who was considered good enough to debut at the highest level of the domestic game a fortnight ago, yet is now apparently not even good enough to be retained as cover.

Meanwhile, Olakau’atu, who was inexplicably dropped ahead of Game 2 after a solid Game 1 is brought back. In two games, Daley has managed to drop, debut, and discard players that must have consequences and impact on the overall squad.