Coach Kevin Walters says he won’t announce his starting line-up until later this week after naming debutants Corey Norman and Christian Welch in his Queensland squad for the State of Origin series decider in Sydney.
Mystery surrounded who would replace injured fullback Kalyn Ponga after Walters named his players in alphabetical order on Monday for the July 10 clash.
Walters said he had already decided who would wear the No.1 jersey but would not make it official until after he told the player.
The Maroons squad will assemble in Brisbane on Monday.
However, Walters said he was not short of options, nominating Norman, Michael Morgan, Cameron Munster and Moses Mbye as fullback contenders.
“There is a list a mile long,” Walters said.
“We are very fortunate in that department that we have a lot of great and talented players that will do the job for Queensland.
“Whichever player is given the jersey, he will get the job done.”
Walters also would not give away his starting props until later this week after dumping forwards Dylan Napa and Jarrod Wallace following the Maroons’ 38-6 game two loss in Perth.
Brisbane’s Joe Ofahengaue is tipped to partner Josh Papalii in the front row after returning from a knee injury that ruled him out of Origin II, while Melbourne prop Welch is expected to feature off the bench.
Welch was in consideration for game one but was overlooked after suffering a knee injury.
“He will bring plenty. He is one of those guys we just couldn’t leave out,” Walters said of Welch.
St George Illawarra’s Norman is tipped to play in the halves in the reshuffled Maroons backline after Ponga succumbed to a calf injury.
Norman’s selection caps a remarkable turnaround for the 27-year-old.
He was on the Origin outer after being fined $20,000 and suspended for the final eight weeks of the 2016 season for a string of offences – including pleading guilty to drug possession, although his conviction was overturned on appeal.
But Norman has hit top form since moving from Parramatta to the Dragons this season, earning him his first Origin nod after 180 NRL games since his 2010 debut.
“That (Norman’s past) is irrelevant. Corey is that type of player, I think the bigger the occasion the better he will go,” Walters said.
Walters was still confident Queensland could seal their 12th series in 14 years.
The Maroons have won the last two series deciders in Sydney – in 2008 and 2013.
Queensland game three squad: Will Chambers, Daly Cherry-Evans (capt), David Fifita, Dane Gagai, Matt Gillett, Tim Glasby, Ben Hunt, Felise Kaufusi, Moses Mbye, Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan, Cameron Munster, Corey Norman, Corey Oates, Joe Ofahengaue, Josh Papalii, Christian Welch.
