'That's going to be the challenge': Queensland great puts Tino Fa'asuamaleaui on notice ahead of decider

Queensland State of Origin great Corey Parker has put hulking Maroons forward Tino Fa'asuamaleaui on notice ahead of the decider, arguing he's yet to produce his phenomenal best against NSW and saying Wednesday night's performance "is going to have to be one of those".

Parker said all Queensland middle forwards must "go up another gear" at Sydney's Accor Stadium, stressing the importance of matching the Payne Haas-led Blues pack after the Maroons were soundly beaten in the centre third of the field in games one and two.

But Parker, the champion lock forward who played 19 games for Queensland, focused particularly on Fa'asuamaleaui ahead of the Gold Coast captain's 15th match in the Origin arena.

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Fa'asuamaleaui had a meagre output in Queensland's win in game two, only registering nine carries and 58 run metres from 44 minutes of football.

He had a bigger impact in Queensland's loss in game one, making 121 run metres from 14 carries in 53 minutes.

Over the course of his 14-game Origin career, he's averaged 13 carries and 108 run metres, sometimes playing in the front row and at other times lock. He's started in the front row in his past five Origin appearances.

"I'm a massive fan of big Tino. I really am," Parker said on SEN radio.

"But I just don't think he's put together his best Origin game, and this is going to have to be one of those for Tino."

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Fa'asuamaleaui lined up in the front row with Moeaki Fotuaika in games one and two, but his Titans teammate has made way for veteran Raiders prop Josh Papali'i ahead of the decider.

NSW racked up 1753 run metres to Queensland's 1425 in game one. In game two, the Blues won the count 1411-1253.

Queensland coach Billy Slater is hoping the stunning recall of Papali'i, who had retired from Origin ahead of the 2023 series, goes some way to rectifying the deficit.

"Papali'i at the back end of his career will do what he does and will certainly set the tone," Parker said.

"I'm really looking forward to that battle and that challenge for big Paps.

"Reuben Cotter and [Kurt] Capewell, who were exceptional in game two, will have to be equally as good, as will Trent Loiero.

"Then you go to the benches. There's an argument to suggest that Spencer Leniu when he's come on has proved a real punch [for NSW], but I think also for game two the likes of [Patrick] Carrigan and [Lindsay] Collins ... stepped up a gear.

"So they [the middle forwards] have got to all go up another gear. Now, that's going to be the challenge. In that middle third of the park is where it's going to be won and lost."

Queensland assistant coach Matt Ballin was thrust into the Origin cauldron, and the middle third of an Origin field, for game one of the 2010 series.

Called up to replace an injured Cameron Smith, he slotted in as hooker for what turned out to be a 28-24 win at Sydney Olympic Park, the location of Wednesday night's decider.

"Playing in the middle in Origin you have to have a level of controlled aggression," Ballin said on SEN radio on Tuesday.

"It's the right amount of contact and [it's important] to stick on the tackles, as well. We've spoken about that throughout camp.

"Our starters [like] Tino are going to make sure they go out and get their stick right and their hit right, the foundation of our game.

"We don't have to bash them all the time; we have to be effective. And when we get an opportunity, say [when] they're coming out of yardage, that's when we can lower the shoulder and really put some hit into them."

Papali'i has played 23 Origin games and been involved in six series wins.

"He brings an air of confidence to the whole group," Ballin said.

"He's very calm in the way he speaks, and very deliberate in what he says and does."

Former NSW captain Paul Gallen said Papali'i would be "ready to go".

"I think he's been brought in to look after Payne Haas," Gallen said on Nine's Today.

As for Fa'asuamaleaui and Papali'i teaming up in the front row, the former has been lapping it up.

"Big Tino's been like a puppy dog following him around all week," Slater grinned.

"No Raider has played more games than Big Papa. He's right up there with all those greats, and he's a great of the Queensland State of Origin team."