What to expect from Qld in Origin III
HOW QUEENSLAND SHAPE UP FOR ORIGIN III
FULLBACK - BILLY SLATER (age 34)
Origins: 28
Origin tries: 12
NRL 2017 stats
Kick return metres per game: 23
Try assists: 13
It was the Slater of old in his return for game two and all eyes are on whether the veteran will hang up the Maroon jersey after the decider. If the game is tight, Slater could be clutch.
WING - VALENTINE HOLMES (age 21)
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 1
NRL 2017 stats
Average metres: 166
Tackle busts: 43
After a horror start on debut, Holmes found his Origin feet with a try and will now aim to be a genuine attacking threat on the back of Queensland's set piece movements.
CENTRE - WILL CHAMBERS (age 29)
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 2
NRL 2017 stats
Average metres: 113
Try assists: 5
Edged Jarryd Hayne in a willing battle in game two and more is expected as Hayne aims to make amends for a poor night. Appears to form the Maroons' go-to side with in-form winger Dane Gagai.
CENTRE - MICHAEL MORGAN (age 25)
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 1
NRL 2017 stats
Try assists: 14
Line-break assists: 9
Has never started a game at centre in his NRL career but did come up with the match-winning pass filling in at centre in game two. Sure to be tested defensively by centre opponent Josh Dugan's power game.
WING - DANE GAGAI (age 26)
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 7
NRL 2017 stats
Average metres: 121
Tackle busts: 72
Favourite to take out player of the series after topping the metres count in both games and scoring two tries in game two.
FIVE-EIGHTH - CAMERON MUNSTER (age 22)
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
NRL 2017 stats
Try assists: 9
Line-break assists: 14
Thrown into the fire with an Origin debut replacing Johnathan Thurston in the decider, but should be comfortable surrounded by the rest of the Melbourne club spine. His major test will be in defence.
HALFBACK - COOPER CRONK (age 33)
Origins: 21
Origin tries: 3
NRL 2017 stats
Try assists: 11
Line-break assists: 10
Has had a quiet series by his standards but will be relied upon more than ever without injured playmaking star Thurston. Expect Blues to ramp up their kick pressure on him.
PROP - DYLAN NAPA (age 24)
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
NRL 2017 stats
Average metres: 98
Offloads: 5
The series rookie Inspired Queensland with a coming of age performance in game two and will look to repeat his heroics in the decider.
HOOKER - CAMERON SMITH (age 34)
Origins: 41
Origin tries: 5
NRL 2017 stats
Average dummy-half runs: 3.4 runs for 34 metres
Average tackles: 36
With Thurston sidelined, expect more kicking from the Maroons captain out of dummy half. His goalkicking will also be vital, especially if it's a tight game.
PROP - JARROD WALLACE (age 25)
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
NRL 2017 stats
Average metres: 134
Average tackles: 32.5
Didn't come back on after a solid opening shift on debut in game two but will need to up his game to ensure the Blues don't get on top early again.
SECOND-ROW - GAVIN COOPER (age 31)
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 1
NRL 2017 stats
Linebreaks: 3
Average tackles: 29.4
Had a quiet game two and now forms a new-look left edge with five-eighth Munster and centre Morgan, which could be a focus for the Blues attack.
SECOND-ROW - MATT GILLETT (age 28)
Origins: 17
Origin tries: 2
NRL 2017 stats
Linebreaks: 5
Average tackles: 35.2
Has been threatening without much luck on the Maroons' right edge all series but remains one of their biggest attacking weapons, especially with Boyd Cordner under an injury cloud.
LOCK - JOSH MCGUIRE (age 27)
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 0
NRL 2017 stats
Average metres: 133.5
Tackles: 33.1
Played a big role in the game-two comeback but now has a target on his head after being called out by Andrew Fifita for his sledging. Expect fireworks in the middle.
Interchange:
BEN HUNT (age 27)
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
NRL 2017 stats
Try assists: 8
Line-break assists: 7
Likely to be used in the same way as former bench utility Michael Morgan as a roving extra forward. His running game may just find out a tired Blues forward in the middle of the ruck.
JOSH PAPALII (age 25)
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 1
NRL 2017 stats
Average metres: 135
Offloads: 26
Brought the punch needed for the Maroons in game two and will be relied upon to bring the same fire in the decider. Can break the game open with some offloads, too.
COEN HESS (age 20)
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
NRL 2017 stats
Linebreaks: 9
Average tackles: 20.8
Surprisingly used in the middle in game two without much effect, and is unlikely to move back to his NRL role on the edge for game three but is still a handful to bring down as a battering ram.
TIM GLASBY (age 28).
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
NRL 2017 stats
Average metres: 82
Offloads: 5
Had a rocky start on debut in game two but eventually warmed to the task and will be asked to ensure the Blues' forwards don't get on top when brought on.
* Stats courtesy Fox Sports
