Sack race: Which Origin coach is more at risk for Game III?

Nicholas Quinlan • June 20th, 2025 10:22 am

Matt Russell and Andrew Voss believe that the losing coach of Game III will likely face the sack from their respective state.

After Queensland’s backs-against-the-wall win in Game II against New South Wales, it has set up a live deciding Game III in Sydney.

It will be the first time since 2019 that Accor Stadium will host Game III with the series tied at 1-1.

But the result of this match could also help decide the coaching future of both Billy Slater and Laurie Daley at the Origin level.

Slater will be desperate to avoid back-to-back series defeats while it would be four consecutive series defeats for Daley after being re-hired to the position this year.

This was despite Daley being the only coach to have coached ten or more Origin games and have a win rate percentage below 50%.

Speaking on the topic, Matt Russell suggested that the history of Queensland coaches who lose back-to-back series would likely repeat if Slater were to lose.

“History says that it will in the case of Billy Slater,” Russell said SEN 1170’s Breakfast with Brandy and Vossy.

“Because if they lose Game III, that’s consecutive series defeats.

“No Queensland coach has survived consecutive series defeats and listen to the names of the people who have gone after suffering that fate.

“Wally Lewis. Paul Vautin. Michael Hagan. Kevvie Walters. All gone after back-to-back losses.”

Voss would also emphasise the pressure under Daley coming into Game III considering the expectation set on this Blues side following last year’s series victory.

“He came into this having only won one out of five series, recalled to coach,” Voss noted.

“If he was to lose, it would be one (win) out of six series and his record would be seven wins from 18 Origin games.

“It’s way under the 50%.”

__Game III of the State of Origin series will take place on July 9 at Accor Stadium. SEN will have live commentary of the match. __