Rather than being a dead rubber, game three is the most important of the series.

NSW may have already won the State of Origin shield back but a thumping whitewash in Brisbane may force the Queenslanders into wholesale changes for the future.

Instead of just ending their eight-year domination, it would bring the mighty empire crashing down.

The future of players like Corey Parker would be brought into question as pressure mounts on coach Mal Meninga to rebuild for a new era.

Billy Slater's stranglehold on the No 1 jersey will be in doubt as criticism continues of Greg Inglis at left centre.

A team only weeks ago considered unbeatable and the greatest in Origin history would spend the summer navel-gazing, no longer an unblemished beacon of Queensland success.

NSW prop James Tamou last week said he expects fireworks in the 2014 Origin finale, as Queensland look to settle a few arguments after the Blues reclaimed the trophy.

The clash in Sydney was marred by niggle in the ruck - referees Shayne Hayne and Ben Cummins were slammed for not keeping a 10-metre gap or cleaning up the play-the-ball area.

With the series decided, Queensland will be determined to show they still have the firepower to punish NSW for switching off for just a split second.

They will be out to hurt them on the scoreboard as much as any physical square-ups.

But this is the Blues' time, a gild-edged chance to showcase a suddenly bright future and put an exclamation point on what has already been one of the most exciting in the 102-game Origin history.

Victory for NSW would also allow Jarryd Hayne and Robbie Farah to emerge out of the shadow of their Queensland rivals - Slater and Cameron Smith - once and for all.