NSW coach Michael Maguire is confident winger Brian To'o won't skip a beat as he prepares to play alongside his fourth centre in three State of Origin games this year.
The Panther started the series outside Stephen Crichton before Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali''s send off saw the former Penrith centre switch from the left to the right-hand side of the field.
Liam Martin was largely tasked with filling the void in the second half of Game One, with Hudson Young also spending some time defending at centre.
Crichton remained on the right edge for Game Two, with Latrell Mitchell stepping in to produce a dominant performance inside To'o.
An injury forced the Rabbitohs star out of Wednesday's decider and Bradman Best is currently slated to step in at Suncorp Stadium.
![Brian To'o has led the Blues with his powerful carries in the opening two games of the State of Origin series.](https://www.nrl.com/contentassets/327e097662fc46dfa4ab0932cbb7cd94/74915331_toob-_240605-gp1813_20246519213.jpg?center=0.279%2C0.528&preset=photo-inline)
Best has managed a hamstring complaint throughout the past week however he completed Saturday's training session and the Blues expect him to be cleared for kick off. Matt Burton is the 18th man and likely to step in should Best be ruled out.
Through all the changes, To'o has adapted on the fly and produced his typical physical best in both attack and defence and Maguire expects no different in Brisbane.
![Blues winger Brian To'o crossed for a double in NSW's Game Two victory.](https://www.nrl.com/contentassets/327e097662fc46dfa4ab0932cbb7cd94/75196456_toob-try-240626-gp2099_2024626191731.jpg?center=0.845%2C0.458&preset=photo-inline)
"He's had plenty of changes in his time," Maguire said. "He's a good man Bizza, the way he can adapt to what he's doing [is impressive]. People don't really talk much about Bizza and the way he plays but he's incredible.
"What he does in the backfield, what he does when he connects with his teammates, he's a big part of what goes on here."
Laidback and easy-going, To'o has become a favourite among the Blues squad due to his ability to get along with every teammate.
Brian To'o with an Origin double
On the field, he has made a habit of doing the hard yards to help his team work their way out of their own half at the start of sets. The winger ran for a combined 391 metres across the first two games, breaking 10 tackles along the way and scoring two tries.
It's the type of work that sometimes goes unnoticed, but it hasn't been missed by To'o's teammates.
"He's a piece of the glue in the team," Maguire said. "One thing about him is that everyone loves playing with him, you can see that in the way he brings the ball back.
"His defence is something that's not spoken about but he works really hard. As a winger now when you're out on the edge you're on every play because you've got people like [Queensland halfback] Daly Cherry-Evans kicking 40-20s and you've got to be aware of those sorts of movements."
Inside Camp: Angus Crichton
As for To'o, the man himself feels his easy-going nature has played a key role in his ability to quickly form connections with his centre partners.
Four years inside the Blues setup also helps, as does the Penrith influence within the squad.
To'o started laying the foundations of a relationship with Best last year and he's confident it has blossomed since the two have reunited in camp this week.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 3 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
"I get that connection going off the field," To'o told NRL.com. "That's where it starts, creating that friendship and brotherhood paves the way to [combinations] on the field.
"Bradman was in camp last year so it's been good to have him back in camp and we've created that connection."
Best made his Origin debut in Game Three last year, lining up on the left edge alongside Josh Addo-Carr. To'o and Crichton combined on the right side.
![NSW centre Bradman Best has nursed a hamstring concern through the early days of the Blues' camp.](https://www.nrl.com/contentassets/327e097662fc46dfa4ab0932cbb7cd94/75380797_nsw_train_240710_gt_00372_2024710142053.jpg?center=0.263%2C0.486&preset=photo-inline)
The 22-year-old enjoyed a stellar night, scoring two tries as the Blues ran out 24-10 winners.
The centre hopes to make it two from two on Wednesday night and he's confident his partnership with To'o will help deliver NSW a victory.
"I can't wait to play with Bizza," Best said. "We always have good laughs off the field and every time we've been around each other so I can't wait to finally play alongside him."