Queensland are tipping recalled halfback Daly Cherry-Evans to make a statement in Wednesday’s State of Origin III in Brisbane.

Maroons assistant Josh Hannay has warned Cherry-Evans has taken control of the side since arriving in his first Origin camp in three years and looks determined to make the No.7 jersey his own.

At 29, Manly skipper Cherry-Evans gets perhaps his final chance at Maroons halfback after ending three years of Origin exile by replacing Ben Hunt, who was demoted to the bench for the dead rubber.

Hannay said the portents were good Cherry-Evans would spark a win to deny NSW their first series whitewash since 2000 and provide a fitting farewell for retiring stand-in skipper Billy Slater.

“Daly Cherry-Evans has fitted in seamlessly. The preparation has been good – we will have no excuses,” Hannay said.

“I have been really impressed with Daly. Since day one Daly has come in and really taken ownership of the side.

“Without putting pressure on Daly, the week he has had with the group and on the training paddock … we think he is going to play a hell of a game tonight.”

Hannay confirmed there were no team changes with the Maroons to stick with their new-look starting front-row of Jai Arrow and Josh Papalii.

He said Queensland’s focus was ensuring Slater walked away from his 31st and final Origin a winner.

“It’s been spoken about that it is Billy’s last game. We are aware of the enormity of the occasion,” Hannay said.

“If we do our job we will get the victory and that is the appropriate outcome for Billy’s Origin career.

“Being the selfless guy that he is, he hasn’t made a big deal out of it but privately I think it is a very proud moment for Billy leading the team out to Suncorp.

“It is a fitting end to what has been a wonderful Origin career.”

Slater will be Queensland captain for the first time in his final Origin after taking over the reins from Greg Inglis (broken thumb), who has been in Maroons camp since Sunday.

Hannay said Queensland were determined to avoid NSW’s fourth overall whitewash.

“This is a new group and … this is one of their first great challenges,” Hannay said.

“But we believe this is the group we can take into the future for years to come – we are confident they will do Queensland proud tonight.

“We feel 3-0 would not be a fair reflection of this series.”