Just minutes after NSW lost game two to send the State of Origin series to a decider, Blues coach Laurie Daley was already considering the make-up of his side for the blockbuster finale.
The Maroons set up a winner-takes-all bout on July 17 with a dominant 26-6 victory at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
Whilst Daley said there would only be “minimal changes” to the team which lost game two, it was clear the rookie mentor was keen for injured fullback Jarryd Hayne and suspended prop James Tamou to return.
He even left the door open for Blake Ferguson – who was stood down after being changed with assault following a drinking session the day before the beginning of camp for game two – to make what would seem an unlikely return for the decider.
“It’s a hard question first up,” Daley said of possible changes.
“You’ve got to go and review things and we don’t know who’s coming back.
“We’d like to think that Jarryd would come back in and James Tamou would be around and we don’t know what’s happening with Fergo.”
Whilst Daley took the blame for the defensive strategy which made for an unhappy Origin debut for winger Nathan Merritt, it appears the South Sydney veteran is facing a struggle to retain his position.
The Maroons targeted Merritt by sending plenty of ball down his side of the field, Daley admitting it was his coaching decision for the winger to come off his edge in defence which allowed Darius Boyd plenty of room to move out wide.
The most likely scenario would be for Hayne and his replacement Josh Dugan to both be selected, with one to line up on the wing.
“I thought he (Dugan) was very good,” Daley said of Dugan.
“It’s something that we’ll have to consider.
“Haynesy’s been a strong performer in different positions for NSW, so if he comes back we’ll see.
“It’s too early to speculate on changes. To be honest with you, I don’t think there will be too many. I’m confident in this group.”
Any changes are sure to interest the Maroons camp after Daley publicly criticised Queensland’s lack of loyalty in dumping David Shillington and Ashley Harrison following the game-one loss.