Queensland coach Kevin Walters has confirmed Jai Arrow and Josh Papalii will start in the front row in Wednesday’s State of Origin III, ruling out a late Maroons pack reshuffle.
NSW mentor Brad Fittler had predicted bench forwards Tim Glasby or Jarrod Wallace would be promoted to the starting line-up but Walters insisted his team would be as announced for the dead rubber.
“We will start with what we have. Those two have earned the right (to start),” Walters said.
“Josh and Jai have both played front row for their respective clubs in the NRL and did a good job – it’s up to them to make the most of the opportunity.”
Walters confirmed good performances in stand-in skipper Billy Slater’s 31st and final Origin would be rewarded in game one of next year’s series.
“We always reward good performances, tomorrow night is even more important for us to get that win – we are chasing hard for it,” he said.
“We are building for next year, some of the changes we made is an eye on that.”
Walters said it was important to deny NSW their first series whitewash since 2000 if the Maroons wanted to build for the future in life without their Big Three – retired greats Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston.
He cited the 2014 series where the Maroons denied NSW a sweep with a convincing 32-8 game three win then went on to claim the next three series.
The Maroons have won 11 of the past 12 series.
“We showed in 2014 we won game three and went on to win the next three series – it can be done,” Walters said.
“The only way to build for next year is for our players to play well and get a win.
“We think we have the right mix of players here. We are confident these guys can take us into the future.
“No one wants to be tagged with that (losing series 3-0). No one wants that on their mantlepiece.”
Walters said the Maroons were determined to give Slater the Origin send-off “he deserved”.
“It will only be a special night if we make it that way,” Walter said of Slater’s swansong.
“It’s about every player doing their best job. If we do that Billy will get the send-off that he deserves.”
Walters hoped a near-capacity crowd would also be a factor for Queensland – if the Maroons played well enough.
“The crowd here at Suncorp have been very good to us over the years but we have to play a style of football that brings the crowd into the game,” he said.
Walters confirmed winger Valentine Holmes would be goal-kicker, opting to overlook recalled halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.