Moylan a risk at No.6: Queensland

Queensland believe NSW have taken a huge risk by picking Matt Moylan at pivot and now have him in their sights for Wednesday’s State of Origin III at ANZ Stadium.

Blues coach Laurie Daley announced on Tuesday that Jack Bird would fill the halves vacancy created by an injured Adam Reynolds, with Moylan to come off the bench.

But Blues assistant Matt Parish confirmed on Wednesday that Moylan, who has played just 20 minutes at No.6 in his NRL career at Penrith, would come into the starting side.

“I don’t think it really matters who might play there, but I think the other guy might start,” said Parish.

Maroons assistant Anthony Seibold said Panthers fullback Moylan loomed as defensive weak link.

“It is certainly a risk,” he said on Wednesday.

“From an attacking point of view he’s brilliant.

“But defensively he will be a target for sure. He will have big Sam Thaiday coming at him for most of the night. It’s a very different position to defend in.

“He hasn’t done it since 2012 for the Windsor Wolves, so we will see how he handles it at Origin level.”

Parish indicated the decision to bench Cronulla youngster Bird came down to his ability to cover numerous positions, including the back-row, in the case of an injury.

Daley’s mind games appeared to work.

Before Seibold addressed media ahead of Queensland’s traditional team walk through Parramatta on Wednesday morning, Maroons assistant Trevor Gillmeister admitted they thought Bird would start.

“We think Jack Bird will start there,” Gillmeister told Sky Sports Radio.

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