Queensland will be without the services of young winger Xavier Coates for tomorrow night’s State of Origin decider, after he succumbed to a groin injury.
The Brisbane Broncos player was rated a 50-50 chance by Wayne Bennett earlier in the day after reports broke of his groin complaint, but he has been ruled out according to The Courier-Mail’s Peter Badel. Newcastle Knights winger Edrick Lee will take his place in the side.
The 19-year-old had been a sensation in his Origin debut series, being the only Queenslander to score a try in both of this year’s matches. His 53rd-minute try in Game 1 put the Maroons in the lead, while his spectacular dive for the corner in Game 2 opened the scoring and was the lone highlight for Queensland in an otherwise disastrous outing.
The news comes as Bennett shuffles his backline ahead of Wednesday’s crunch match, moving Valentine Holmes to the wing and giving Corey Allan the gig at fullback. Bennett announced at his Tuesday morning press conference that Brenko Lee would earn his debut in the centres alongside Dane Gagai, and that Cameron Munster had passed all his tests and would be named at five-eighth.
Game 3 kicks off at 8:10pm (AEDT) tomorrow night at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. New South Wales are looking to clinch their third series win in a row and will start favourites after hammering Queensland in Game 2.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I would have preferred that structure as well. Remember Kaufusi did start on the right, he switched early as Hess was all over the place. I wouldn't be surprised if that how they did run out.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Nope, when Jake T shortened him up with a copybook tackle.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I suspect Benny is playing a few ducks & drakes with his players & positions. We will have to wait till kick off before we find the true line up and strategies being implemented.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
He got bashed in the second half last week and looked defeated at the end. I think it's a good move for Qld, regardless of the injury.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
Hmmmm? That's an interesting reshuffle, across the squad in general. Su'a and Grant on the bench, and to a lesser extent with Arrow, doesn't look right. I thought Hunt would come in for Friend based on yesterday's lineup, for flexibility/utility cover, but I wouldn't be doing that based on the current lineup. I can't see anyway that Lui doesn't get a spot from here.
Aiden
Guest
Not bad in the end .
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
He injured his groin with that silly putdown.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Is Brenko Lee playing left center and Gagai remains on the right? Brenko has played right center all season. Also Kaufusi has played on the right all season but has played the first two games on the left. Maybe better to have Kaufusi and Brenko on the right where they have played next to each other all season and have Brenko's cousin Edrick on the wing outside him. On the left have Capewell/Gagai/Holmes....but Bennett knows best so see what he decides.
Graham White
Guest
The left edge will have some specialist defenders in holmes, lee and munster it is an exciting side, hope the nerves won't get the best of the youngsters!