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Michael Westlake

BIG MAL SAYS MAROON MEN WILL GET JOB DONE

QUEENSLAND coach Mal Meninga says he has no fears about his war-torn Maroons going the distance in the Origin decider, despite a number of injured players being selected for the July 8 showdown at Suncorp Stadium.

Meninga revealed a revamped Queensland team for Origin III, with key changes in the halves, outside backs and on the bench.

As expected, Greg Inglis was named at fullback to cover the injured Billy Slater, with the resulting reshuffle seeing Will Chambers moved into the centres and Newcastle’s Dane Gagai called up to make his debut on the wing.

In another anticipated change, halfback Cooper Cronk was recalled to the No.7 jersey, having missed Game Two with a knee injury.

Cronk’s return means Origin II halfback Daly Cherry-Evans was omitted from the squad, with the selectors feeling Cowboys star Michael Morgan gave them more versatility in the No.14 jersey.

Joining Morgan on the bench, in the only other change from the loss at the MCG, is Canberra giant Josh Papalii, who replaces the injured Josh McGuire.

While injury was to blame for most of the changes to the Queensland team, Meninga has decided to gamble on the fitness of other key players as the Maroons try to win back the Origin series crown lost last year.

Cronk, for one, has not played a game in three weeks, while Darius Boyd (groin) and Matt Scott (back) are both battling injury after last weekend’s NRL matches.

Meninga though denies electing the pair is a risk, expecting the entire squad to be in top shape come kick-off.

“Matt has had a cortisone injection,” Meninga said.

“He needs 48 hours to settle down, instead of putting him on a plane, he can rest at home and the longer he rests, the longer the cortisone will work.

“Darius has been looked at, it (his groin) has settled down really well, it’s a minor injury and I expect he will be ready to train with us Thursday.

“Cooper is fine to go. He is fit, healthy and raring to go.”

While the injuries are a concern, without doubt the selection causing the most conjecture was the omission of Cherry-Evans, who can’t help but keep himself in the headlines this year.

Meninga has always held firm to the belief that loyalty comes first in the Queensland selection room, and admitted the decision to axe Cherry-Evans had been a tough one.

“We feel that at this point Michael is the best option, he plays more positions – simple as that,” he said.

“We never like making decisions that see players left out of the team, but the decision had to be made, and it was made for the right reasons.

“It was a tough decision. The selectors mused over the last ten days and we decided Michael was the best option.

“We are down an outside back. Michael can fill in there.

“He (Daly) was very disappointed and that’s understandable. We just thought Michael Morgan was the best option.”

Meninga said he expect Gagai to be heavily targeted by the Blues in his Origin debut, with the Knights flyer given the huge challenge of playing his first game for Queensland in an Origin decider at a packed Suncorp Stadium.

“I know they will probably target Dane, but he’ll be up to it,” Meninga said.

“Dane has been part of our system for a few years now and he’s earned his chance.

“He was magnificent for Newcastle last week (against the Broncos) and with Greg (Inglis) at the back, I’m sure NSW will pressure Dane, but he’ll handle it.”

Lanky Canberra winger Edrick Lee will get his first taste of life in Camp Maroon, being named as Queensland’s 18th man

QUEENSLAND TEAM FOR ORIGIN III 1. Greg Inglis 2. Darius Boyd 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin Hodges 5. Dane Gagai 6. Johnathan Thurston 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Matt Scott 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. Nate Myles 11. Aidan Guerra 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Corey Parker Interchange 14. Michael Morgan 15. Josh Papalii 16. Matt Gillett 17. Jacob Lillyman. 18. Edrick Lee

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