NSW-born Queensland State of Origin legend Greg Inglis has thrown a grenade into the NSW camp, claiming the Blues need divine intervention to win the series decider in Brisbane.
Suspecting the Blues may be mentally shot after their game-two capitulation in Melbourne, Inglis says he can't see Laurie Daley's battered outfit rebounding to snatch the shield at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night.
Origin's greatest try-scorer believes the task confronting NSW after blowing a halftime lead to surrender 44-24 at the MCG is now virtually an "impossible" one.
"All they can do is hope the Origin gods come on to them," Inglis told AAP.
"It's Origin footy, yeah, but it's going to be a tough, tough task for NSW to get up there and get the win."
Asked if the Blues' assignment was "tough" or "mission impossible", Inglis taunted NSW fans by saying "You could say both".
"It's a tough one to go up and win a decider in game three after what happened in the first two games," he said.
The fact Inglis hails from Kempsey on the NSW mid north coast will only further rile supporters from south of the border.
But the 11-time Origin series winner is a little perplexed by some of Blues coach Laurie Daley's selections, saying he was especially surprised by the axings of mainstay winger Brian To'o and Newcastle strike forward Dylan Lucas.
"I think he (To'o) still deserved his shot. He's one of our best wingers in the game," Inglis said at the launch of his 2026 Stick With It mental health campaign for the Goanna Academy.
"I don't know, they obviously know what's going on in their planning meetings and want to stick with the side that they see will fit.
"But it's a different game now. It has to be a more of a mental game from NSW to winning a decider and overcoming what they've been through in the first two games.
"And then, if you really think about it, Dylan Lucas not actually being in the squad altogether, I found a bit bizarre.
"Look, I'm Queensland, so Queensland to win. I'm sticking with the Maroons."
NSW have won only three series deciders in Brisbane - and only once since 2005.
If they lose, the Blues will also enter the history books as the first team to squander 1-0 series leads in successive years.
