Johnathan Thurston will be part of the commentary team for State of Origin III 2026, as the NSW Blues take on the Queensland Maroons at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on July 8.

What's at Stake?

The series is on the line, with the Queensland Maroons looking to clinch back-to-back series wins after a dominant game two victory.

The Commentary Team

Johnathan Thurston will be joined by James Bracey, Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Phil Gould, Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday, and Brad Fittler in the commentary box.

The NSW Blues have a mountain to climb, facing a hostile Suncorp Stadium and a Maroons side with an unchanged starting line up.

Pre-Game Features

The pre-game show will feature an insight into the story behind the resurgence of Maroons try-scoring sensation Selwyn Cobbo, with Johnathan Thurston breaking down the raw, explosive rise of the Cherbourg hero.

Johnathan Thurston will also analyze the key match-ups, alongside Allana Ferguson and the rest of the commentary team.

The NSW Blues will be looking to draw inspiration from their past series-deciding game three wins in Brisbane, with Benny Elias, Anthony Minichello, and Jake Trbojevic having achieved this feat in 1994, 2005, and 2024, respectively.

The Decider

The game will be played on July 8, at 7:00pm Sydney time, and will be broadcast live on Nine.

The Queensland Maroons will be looking to capitalize on their momentum from game two, with Billy Slater's side confident after a dominant win.

Johnathan Thurston will be providing expert analysis throughout the game, alongside the rest of the commentary team.

The NSW Blues will be looking to upset the Queensland party, with Nathan Cleary, Payne Haas, James Tedesco, Stephen Crichton, and captain Isaah Yeo aiming to inspire their team to victory.

The game promises to be an exciting conclusion to the series, with the winner taking all.

Post-Game Analysis

After the game, fans can catch up with the 9Now mini-match for all the best bits in a 20-minute breakdown.

The post-game show will feature analysis from the commentary team, including Johnathan Thurston, as they break down the key moments from the game.

The NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons will be looking to take away valuable lessons from the series, regardless of the outcome.

Johnathan Thurston's expertise will be invaluable in providing insight into the game, and what the teams can improve on for next year's series.