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With Queensland putting on a scintillating display in Game 2 of the 2013 Origin series in Brisbane, coach Mal Meninga has the luxury of naming an unchanged line-up for the deciding Game 3.
The Maroons have also retained 18th man Jacob Lillyman, with Melbourne’s Will Chambers also joining the squad.
Here’s how the Maroons will line-up for State of Origin Game 3 in Sydney:
1. Billy Slater
Slater managed to get back to his aggressive best in Game 2 (just ask Mitchell Pearce!) and will again be a handful for the Blues, especially if the game gets close and Thurston is looking for someone to chase a chip over the top or burst though a gap.
2. Darius Boyd
You don’t see old Darius smile too much, but he was beaming from ear to ear after the Brisbane match when his opposite number Nathan Merritt gave him a saloon passage to a couple of easy four pointers. Will face a sterner test from the physical McManus.
3. Greg Inglis
After a performance in Game 1 that a street mime would have described as “pretty quiet,” Inglis got some more ball in the return match and managed to cross the stripe at Suncorp.
Frighteningly for the Blues his club form with the Rabbitohs suggests he is still yet to show his best in Origin this year, and you’d think he’s still got at least one more four pointer in him.
4. Justin Hodges
Made a couple of boo boos with the ball in Brisbane and spent some time in the bin for a vicious pushing offence, however his great work out of dummy half and intimidating presence more than made up for his mistakes.
5. Brent Tate
Tate played Game 2 like he’s played every game of his career i.e. flat out and willing to cop some punishment on the chin. In what will be his Origin farewell match, Tate will be looking to do go out of the Origin arena on a high.
6. Johnathan Thurston
Ignored a bad case of the squirts to guide the Maroons around the park in game 2 with aplomb and got some great goal kicking practice. The Blues will try to run over him as always, but he seems to have handled himself pretty well for the last seven years and will do so again in Sydney.
7. Cooper Cronk
Rugby league’s thinking man proved he definitely wasn’t made of straw in Brisbane and will be looking to light a fire in NSW’s village. How good is he? I think we’re still yet to find out.
8. Matt Scott
The North Queensland powerhouse was the only full-time prop in the Maroons side steamrolled the Blues pack in game 2, however with Cowboys teammate Tamou back for the Blues in Sydney will face a sterner test.
9. Cameron Smith
How? How does a man who looks like a hairy accountant who has never lifted anything heavier than his jersey dominate a game of rugby league like Smith does?
Took a bit of a backseat in attack in Game 2 thanks to hot form from his halves, but still scored man of the match honours through his great defensive effort and clever work around the ruck.
10. Nate Myles
While his much hyped get square with Gallen may have fizzled after the Blues terrible opening stanza, Myles had a solid game when bumped up front and has become an important part of the Queenslandpack.
11. Chris McQueen
The Kingaroy Red Ant had a bit more time on the paddock in Game 2 and played an important role in standing up to the NSW allstar back row. Solid in defence, had a couple of good runs…but has he got something else to show us?
12. Sam Thaiday
Had a blinder in Game 2 when he was given the chance to run wide and put Queenslandon the front foot from the get go. Will be watched more carefully by the Blues in Sydney.
13. Corey Parker
Got the call up to the starting side after impressing in Game 1 and made the most of his time in Brisbane. Showed that he can be more than just a solid club player and Super Coach star. Parker might lack some of that brilliance but the Maroons know he’ll be going as hard in the last minute as he was in the first.
14. Matt Gillett
Played his best Origin game to date in Brisbane but still hasn’t got the Blues shaking in their boots, would want to rack up a few line breaks soon. Can tackle though.
15. Daly Cherry-Evans
Predominantly played in the unusual position of dummy half in Brisbane, and suffice to see we probably didn’t see the best of DCE. Didn’t disgrace himself by any means though and will be pulling the strings for Queensland one day.
16. Ben Teo
The game was all but over when he got on the field but ran hard, ran straight and rattled a few cages. Deserves to be there.
17. Josh Papalii
Papa Smash didn’t have an awful lot to do in Brisbane and left a few fans wanting more. Still, he’s a bit of an X-factor on the bench for the Maroons and if they go behind in Sydney he’ll be a great card for Mal to have up his sleeve.
18th man: Jacob Lillyman
19th man: Will Chambers
Maroons coach Mal Meninga reiterated the importance of certainty in squads and line-up, with QLD avoiding any major injury concerns for Game 3, “It’s good for continuity to be able to keep the same combinations. Everyone knows their job.”
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