Queensland rake Andrew McCullough declares himself fit for Origin III in Brisbane

ANDREW McCullough has declared he is ready to go for Origin III despite suffering ligament damage to a finger on Saturday night.

Andrew McCullough was injured against the Raiders but says he fit for Origin III. (AAP Image/Albert Perez)

ANDREW McCullough has declared he is ready to go for Origin III despite suffering ligament damage to a finger on Saturday night.

The Broncos and Maroons hooker was seen in obvious pain in the 19th minute of Brisbane’s win over Canberra, struggling with the injury to the middle finger of his right hand.

However, the tough rake played on to help the Broncos clinch the narrow victory and is adamant he will also not let a finger injury stop him from playing in Game Three next Wednesday.

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Andrew McCullough was injured against the Raiders but says he fit for Origin III. (AAP Image/Albert Perez)

“I don’t think a finger will stop me,” he said.

“I got through (Saturday) with it so it will be fine. It’s the ligament.

“Passing the footy was a bit hard there with the finger but you just strap it up.

“I will tough it out and it should be right.”

McCullough though did concede the injury may require surgery at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has gained a reputation for being one of the toughest players in the game after also overcoming an elbow injury earlier this season, missing just two weeks of his expected four to six weeks on the sideline.

McCullough will be vital in Queensland’s bid to avoid a whitewash. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

Queensland coach Kevin Walters would have been panicking when McCullough first succumbed to the injury on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium given the limited depth in that role and the injuries the Maroons have already suffered to the likes of Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) and Dylan Napa (knee).

With or without the injury however, McCullough is desperate to play in Game Three after the Maroons lost the series to the Blues in Origin II.

The last time a Queensland team fell victim to a clean sweep was in 2000 and it is a history that nobody wants to repeat.

“I don’t want to be a part of that,” McCullough said of the prospect of a series whitewash.

“No one in the Queensland jersey wants to be part of that … It’s really important.

“If Kevvie selects me again, it’s a dream come true and I just want to put some respect back in the jersey.

“To do that at Suncorp’s pretty special and I know it’s (Billy Slater’s) last game as well.”

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Originally published as Queensland rake Andrew McCullough declares himself fit for Origin III in Brisbane