Former Queensland centre Willie Tonga believes ex-teammate Matt Bowen will shine if given the nod for the Maroons in next week’s State of Origin decider.

North Queensland veteran Bowen was named in an extended 20-man squad by Maroons coach Mal Meninga with injury concerns surrounding first-choice fullback Billy Slater.

The 30-year-old is far from guaranteed to add to his 10 Origin appearances if Slater is ruled out, with Greg Inglis tipped to slot into the No.1 jersey and Dane Nielsen then coming into the centres.

But former Cowboys teammate Tonga, who has played seven Origins for Queensland, says he has no fears if Meninga opts to go with Bowen as his replacement custodian.

“I don’t doubt at all that Matty could do the job,” Tonga told reporters on Wednesday.

“He’s been in fine form lately and he’s been there and done the job before.

“I think anyone who puts that Queensland jersey on knows how important it is and he’ll definitely be able to handle it.”

Tonga, who played in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 series victories for Queensland, says he’s confident the Maroons can defeat a buoyant NSW outfit in Brisbane to win an unprecedented seventh-straight series.

“I know that they’re not going to be complacent with the game being in Brisbane or anything like that,” Tonga said.

“Mal would have stressed that early in the week. It should be a good game.”