Injury concerns Karmichael Hunt, Cameron Smith and Ashley Harrison have been cleared by medical staff in a major boost for Queensland ahead of State of Origin III.
Broncos fullback Hunt (ankle) was considered the biggest worry for the Maroons ahead of Melbourne hooker Smith (shoulder) and Gold Coast backrower Harrison (ribs).
Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk was 18th man for next Wednesday’s clash at Suncorp Stadium and had been considered cover for the recovering Hunt.
But Queensland team doctor Roy Saunders gave the trio the green light after the Maroons medical in Brisbane on Tuesday.
Queensland injected new blood into their forward pack when they unveiled their team.
Cowboys prop Matt Scott, 23, was slotted into the front row for injured Penrith Panthers veteran Petero Civoniceva (foot), marking his first Origin nod since his interstate debut way back in 2006.
Canberra giant David Shillington, 26, will make his Origin debut after being named on the bench along with another new face for the series, Dragons enforcer Neville Costigan.
It marks the third Origin game – and first since 2007 – for Costigan who has reinvented himself at the Dragons under former Broncos mentor Wayne Bennett.
Bulldogs prop Ben Hannant (knee) was not considered while Sydney Roosters forward Nate Myles was ruled out after being suspended for six games for a drunken incident at a Central Coast hotel last weekend.
Queensland will be chasing their first series clean sweep in 15 years.
Winger Israel Folau was also not considered after fracturing his ankle playing for Brisbane against the Warriors on the weekend.
Cowboys flyer Willie Tonga moves from the centres to the wing as a result.
“It’s pretty much standard stuff for a third Origin – we have a lot of bumps and bruises and everyone is carrying something,” Saunders told reporters.
“But Ash and `K’ (Hunt) look pretty good. We are pretty confident. And there are no concerns for Cameron Smith at this stage.
“We look pretty good.”
In the only other change to the Maroons team, Justin Hodges returns to the centres after missing Origin II with a knee injury sustained in the series opener.
QUEENSLAND: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Willie Tonga, Darren Lockyer (capt), Johnathan Thurston, Steve Price, Cameron Smith, Matt Scott, Ashley Harrison, Sam Thaiday, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Karmichael Hunt, David Shillington, Neville Costigan, Michael Crocker. 18th man: Cooper Cronk
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