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Queensland have kept their changes to a minimum ahead of the third game of State of Origin, with Billy Slater only making injury-enforced alterations to his line-up.
There will be a debut for Raiders enforcer Corey Horsburgh off the bench as cover for Tom Flegler, while AJ Brimson is set to take over the fullback role following the suspension of Reece Walsh.
Beyond the first 17, J’maine Hopgood is rewarded for his strong start to his first grade career with a spot in the extended squad. He will take the 18 jumper, with Cowboys half Tom Dearden also back in the squad.
He had been involved in Game 1, but caused consternation as he missed a club game as a result, but did not play in Origin. Now, with the Cowboys on the bye, he returns.
Brimson, who came in for Game 2 to allow Dearden to play NRL, retains his position and is upgraded to the number 1 jersey after Walsh’s ban for contrary conduct. Kalyn Ponga had already turned down the chance to return this year, preferring to focus on club football given his string of concussions.
The Titans fullback was a revelation in 2020 but lost his spot in 2021 to Ponga. Slater said that Brimson was not being picked asa stop-gap, but would get a chance to stake a claim.
“I don’t look at it like he’s a fill-in, or he’s here for the next ten years,” said the Maroons boss.
“You play for Queensland, you’re playing for Queensland because you deserve it in that moment. That’s what AJ has at the moment. Reece got an opportunity because of Kalyn’s situation.
“He deserved it because of his actions on the field and AJ deserves it because of the actions he’s putting out for the Gold Coast Titans.
“I don’t look at it down the track, not even next year. It’s the best team for Game 3, for Queensland right now that we feel and we’ll be preparing the best team for Wednesday week.”
Horsburgh has been banging on the door of Origin selection for months with a string of strong performances for Canberra. He was involved in the camp for Game 2 and, following the foot injury suffered by Flegler, was the obvious choice to come in for the dead rubber in Sydney.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
“There was a reason why Corey was in the squad in Game 2,” said Slater.
“He’s been impressive thought the first half of the season, he’s built some good habits in his game. You can tell when players have a great off-season and Corey is one of those guys.
“He’s built a great base to his fitness levels and regularly plays 70 minutes straight for the Raiders. Ricky Stuart and the coaching staff have done a really great job with the development of Corey.
“Corey’s knuckled down, focussed on his footy and focussed on what is important in his footy. You see that regularly every week and it’s the reason why Corey’s earned the opportunity to play for Queensland.”
Slater batted away questions on whether Horsburgh’s aggressive style had led to his inclusion.
“It’s not something we’ll be focussing on,” he said. “Corey will focus on what we think is important in our footy team and those principles. He’ll be focussing on getting them right.
“We want Corey to be Corey. It’s a tough game our game, especially at Origin level. We want him to be at his best and part of the Queensland team and what we see as important.”
Hopgood’s form in 2022 was such that Slater had considered picking him even though he was playing reserve grade at Penrith, and the Hervey Bay junior has carried that upwards trajectory into the NRL since joining Parramatta.
He has emerged as one of the best ball-playing forwards in the comp and was mooted for selection almost from Round 1, but narrowly missed out given the strength of other candidates. Now, with a few injuries in the forwards, he joins the camp and will be next man up should anyone drop out.
“J’maine is like Corey Horburgh,” said Slater. “I was even watching him last year when he was playing NSW Cup for Penrith, he was really impressive.
“What he’s done for Parramatta – Brad Arthur has brought him along and give him the belief by playing him in the middle and starting him in the 13 jersey. He’s really earned his opportunity.
“Growing up here in Hervey Bay in Queensland, he would have dreamed of the opportunity to wear this colour and these clothes, now he gets the chance to prepare for the next ten days like a State of Origin player.
“He’s going to get a lot of experience out of that and if J’maine Hopgood is needed for Queensland next Wednesday night, I’m OK with it.”
1 AJ Brimson
2 Xavier Coates
3 Valentine Holmes
4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5 Murray Taulagi
6 Cameron Munster
7 Daly Cherry-Evans
8 Reuben Cotter
9 Ben Hunt
10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11 David Fifita
12 Jeremiah Nanai
13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
14 Harry Grant
15 Lindsay Collins
16 Moeaki Fotuaika
17 Corey Horsburgh
18 Tom Dearden
19 J’maine Hopgood
with AAP
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