Matt Moylan, not Jack Bird, will start in the halves for NSW in Wednesday night’s State of Origin III at ANZ Stadium.

Blues coach Laurie Daley announced on Tuesday that Bird would start in the spot left vacant by injury to Adam Reynolds, with Moylan to come off the bench and replace him.

But it appears Daley may have been foxing.

However assistant coach Matt Parish confirmed on Tuesday morning 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.

He indicated the decision to bench the Cronulla youngster came down to his ability to cover numerous positions in the case of an injury.

“He’s a good young player Jack Bird and we just think he covers a few more positions whether it’s everywhere in the backline and possibly the back row,” he said.

“Whereas Moyza is predominantly a fullback who can play in the halves.”

Regardless, the mind games have confused Queensland, with assistant coach Trevor Gillmeister earlier saying they still believed Jack Bird would begin the game.

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

“It’s no big deal but we’re probably thinking Bird will start.”