Kevin Walters swings selection axe for State of Origin decider

Following Queensland’s 38-6 debacle in Game Two in Perth, Kevin Walters has made good on his promise to enact change for the State of Origin series decider next week.

Kevin Walters has a huge selection headache following Kalyn Ponga’s injury. Picture: AAP

Former bad boy Corey Norman will make his Queensland debut as coach Kevin Walters looks for a backline X-factor after injured superstar Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of the Origin decider.

Queensland selectors spent hours locked in robust debate about Ponga’s fullback successor with Cameron Munster and Norman the options to wear the No.1 jumper at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Wednesday week.

The one certainty is Norman will be in the 17-man squad, capping a remarkable resurrection for the classy utility, who just three years ago was fined $20,000 by the NRL after pleading guilty to drug possession.

Kevin Walters has swung the selection axe. Picture: AAP

Norman was also embroiled in a sex-tape scandal, prompting Maroons hierarchy to warn the former Eels playmaker in 2016 to clean-up his act or risk never being picked in the Origin arena.

The 28-year-old has responded with some outstanding form for his new club the Dragons this season, prompting Maroons selectors to issue an SOS for Norman’s match-winning instincts following Ponga’s demise.

Norman made his NRL debut for the Broncos at fullback in 2010, while incumbent five-eighth Munster has always coveted the No.1 jumper since his teenage years being groomed to succeed Billy Slater at the Storm.

Either way, the loss of Ponga is a crushing blow for the Maroons, who will start the Origin decider as rank outsiders after their 38-6 drubbing in Game Two in Perth.

Dylan Napa is set to be overlooked for the State of Origin decider. Picture: Getty Images

Walters was confident Ponga would overcome a calf injury but the Maroons mentor confronted his worst nightmare when the attacking sensation was scratched for Game Three on NSW soil.

Scans confirmed Ponga aggravated a minor calf strain that kept him out of Saturday night’s Newcastle-Broncos clash and Knights doctors advised Queensland hierarchy he will miss two weeks.

The shock scratching of Ponga plunged Queensland hierarchy into a desperate search for a fullback replacement, with the panel having held their most contentious selection debate in more than a decade.

Cowboys skipper Michael Morgan was touted as a frontline option after filling in for Slater at fullback in Origin I at the MCG last year. But Morgan will remain in the left-centre position he occupied in the opening two Origin games following the early retirement of skipper Greg Inglis.

Kalyn Ponga’s injury has thrown Queensland’s preparations into disarray. Picture: AAP

There was also a push for Cowboys teammate Kyle Feldt and Dragons prop Korbin Sims to make their Origin debuts, but the pair have been overlooked.

Norman is one of two Queenslanders to make their Origin debuts in the decider, with Storm prop Christian Welch to also be blooded following the axing of Dylan Napa and Jarrod Wallace.

A Beenleigh junior, Norman has played 181 NRL games and, in 2016, Maroons selector Darren Lockyer said he was on the outer with Queensland powerbrokers.

“If you look at the culture Queensland have created and the values they have, you have to align yourself off the field with those if you want to be a part of the Maroons system,” Lockyer said at the time.

“We all know Corey is a talented player, but I hope he realises he is in a pretty privileged place and he has a wonderful opportunity to play Origin down the track.

“He needs to keep his head down and bum up moving forward if he wants to play for Queensland.”

Corey Norman will make his Origin debut in Sydney. Picture: Adam Head

It is understood Broncos bookend Joe Ofahengaue will start in place of Napa, who carried a broken wrist into Origin II.

Maroons selector Darren Lockyer said that changes needed to be made in the pack after Queensland’s front six were blown off the park.

Napa ran for just 28 metres in Perth and clearly felt the effects on his wrist injury.

“After a poor performance changes are always going to be discussed,” Lockyer said.

“The forwards just didn’t lay a platform for us, the engine room failed on the night.

“Joe (Ofahengaue) was very good in Game One and he would have been picked for Game Two if he wasn’t injured, so he will be back in the team if he’s fit.

“Welch is a chance, too. He was close for Game Two and he was good again for the storm on Friday night (against the Roosters).”