So IT all comes down to this . . .
It's do or die for NSW against Queensland as they attempt to retain the State of Origin crown in Wednesday night's decider in Brisbane.
The Blues won an epic contest 26-18 in game two in Melbourne three weeks ago and need to win at Suncorp Stadium to defend the title they finally wrestled back last year.
Will NSW make it back-to-back series wins? Or will Queensland win their ninth title in 10 years?
Either way, the Leader sports team has you covered with everything you need to know.
■Why NSW will win
Quite simply, NSW have been the better team so far in the series.
They were convincing winners in game two and really should have won Origin I.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the fitness of Robbie Farah and Paul Gallen, the Blues have had a relatively settled squad for the bulk of the series, a vast difference to the constant chopping and changing of previous years.
Laurie Daley appears to be settled on the squad he thinks are the Blues' best players — and he is sticking with them.
The young NSW team are also unlikely to hold any fear going into a hostile environment for a decider on enemy territory.
If anything, you get the feeling the Blues hungry young pack will revel in it.
■Why Queensland will win
Why will Queensland win? Because they have to.
This Queensland team will go down as one of the best in rugby league history.
But with many of their stars closer to the end of their careers than the start, the Maroons will not want back-to-back series defeats on their resume.
Queensland won eight series in a row for a reason, and could easily have made it nine last year.
They have also welcomed back halfback Cooper Cronk from a knee injury in place of Daly Cherry-Evans, who led a disjointed Queensland attack in game two.
With Billy Slater out with a season-ending shoulder injury, Greg Inglis has shifted to fullback, which is not exactly the worst replacement going around.
And if all that wasn't enough, there are two words that strike fear into most of those south of the Tweed: Lang Park.
A decider in front of 50,000 Queenslanders will not be for the faint of heart.
■Leader predictions
Andrew Parkinson: NSW by 2. Man of the match: Paul Gallen.
Paul Haigh: Queensland by 8. Man of the match: Cooper Cronk.
■ Dragons watch:
NSW retained both their St George Illawarra representatives from games one and two.
Josh Dugan will line up at fullback while Trent Merrin is on the bench.
The Dragons pair will have until Sunday to recover before Sunday's local derby with Cronulla.
■ Sharks watch
NSW and Cronulla captain Paul Gallen returns for game three after missing the Sharks' last two NRL games.
Gallen, who missed eight weeks with a hip problem, has been unavailable since Origin II with a rib cartilage injury.
Whether Gallen will be able to back up for Sunday's derby with the Dragons will depend on how he gets through Wednesday night.
Sharks hooker Michael Ennis is also in line to play his first Origin game since 2011.
Blues hooker Robbie Farah was unlikely to play on Monday after breaking his hand.
MAROONS
Greg Inglis, Darius Boyd, Will Chambers, Justin Hodges, Dane Gagai, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (c), Nate Myles, Aidan Guerra, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Michael Morgan, Josh Papalii, Matt Gillett, Jacob Lillyman.
BLUES
Josh Dugan, Will Hopoate, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, Brett Morris, Mitchell Pearce, Trent Hodkinson, James Tamou, Robbie Farah, Aaron Woods, Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman, Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: Trent Merrin, Boyd Cordner, David Klemmer, Josh Jackson.
STATISTICS
Total series won: Queensland 20, NSW 13 (drawn two).
Total matches won: Queensland 55, NSW 46 (drawn two).
Largest winning margin: 40 points. NSW (56-16, Origin III, 2000).
Most consecutive games won: Eight. Queensland (Origin II, 1987 to Origin III 1989).
Most consecutive series won: Eight. Queensland (2006-2013).
Most games: 36, Darren Lockyer (1998-2011).
Most consecutive games: 31, Johnathan Thurston (2005-2015).
Most games as captain: 30, Wally Lewis (1981-1991).
Most tries: 16, Greg Inglis (2006-2015).
Most points: 170, Johnathan Thurston (2005-2015).
Who do you think will win the State of Origin?
