Prop forward Josh Papalii is Queensland’s most important player in Origin III

Queensland need the best performance of Josh Papalii’s Origin career if they’re to upset the Blues in the decider writes DARREN LOCKYER.

Josh Papalii of the Maroons is tackled by Damien Cook (left) and Jake Trbojevic of the Blues during Game 2 of the 2019 State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Optus Stadium in Perth, Sunday, June 23, 2019. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Josh Papalii plays his 15th game for Queensland in the Origin decider at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.

I would argue it represents the most important game of the Maroons forward’s Origin career.

Queensland’s 38-6 thrashing in Game Two in Perth was the ultimate demonstration that forwards win rugby league matches and backline superstars such as Cameron Munster and Kalyn Ponga are rendered ineffective if their big boppers fail to set the platform.

Now it is time for Queensland’s forwards to aim up – and Papalii is the enforcer of the Maroons’ engine room.

The 27-year-old has been the one constant in the front row for Queensland this year in a series in which Jai Arrow was injured after Game One, and Dylan Napa and Jarrod Wallace were dropped after Game Two.

Papalii is Queensland’s AAP Image/Richard Wainwright) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Papalii is now in his seventh Origin campaign following his debut in 2013 and that gives him an intimate understanding of the arena and what is required for success in the brutal centrefield exchanges.

Any successful team always has someone who is a leader in the forward pack and Papalii is the one guy with the size, aggression and defensive mongrel to make a statement for the Maroons on Wednesday night.

Lock Josh McGuire also has to provide some crucial leadership support for Queensland to reclaim the Origin shield.

Without Arrow and Napa, there will be a lot of expectation on Broncos bookend Joe Ofahengaue in his starting debut, so it’s important that Papalii eases the burden on his junior engine-room partner and shows the way against the Blues pack.

If Papalii can drive a Queensland resurgence through the midfield, it will create the latitude for Munster and five-eighth debutant Corey Norman to work their magic.

There was a lot of debate about the composition of Queensland’s backline following the injury to Ponga, but moving Munster from five-eighth to fullback is exciting.

Munster’s switch to fullback could open things up. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

Playing in the backfield will free up Munster to roam and pick his moments to inject himself.

It makes Queensland a bit more dangerous through the middle of the field.

Munster can pop out on either side of the ruck. He has some similarities to his Blues opposite James Tedesco, who is always sniffing around the rucks.

I see him deploying a varied style to Ponga, who likes to sweep around the back and use his passing game to create opportunities for his centres and wingers.

I see Munster instead using his power, strength and running game to take on the NSW line and put their defenders under pressure.

Often you want to apply tactics that your opposition fears most and the Blues have said they would prefer not to see Munster at fullback, so that suggests how dangerous he can be in the No.1 jumper.

Norman is also an exciting selection. He is a very good organiser with a good kicking game.

The conditions at ANZ Stadium are traditionally greasy so the left boot of Norman will complement the right-side play of his scrumbase cohort Daly Cherry-Evans.

Norman will debut at five-eighth. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

Having played 181 first grade games, Norman has plenty of experience in the NRL and is very adept at organising shapes, while also possessing the size and strength to trouble the line himself if he decides to straighten the attack.

I don’t think Norman will be overawed by the occasion. He is a relaxed sort of bloke and it’s vital he maintains his composure. Communication with his outside men will also be important on the night.

In Origin, it’s often a waiting game, so players like Munster and Norman need to hold their nerve and wait for some fatigue to set in before their matchwinning talent comes to the fore.

Munster will be well-marked and he needs to pick his moments for when he plans to run.

But it’s important Queensland play up-tempo through the middle and create some second-phase for Munster to capitalise on momentum generated by winning the ruck.

Defence is the first priority for Queensland. Their line-speed is crucial and they need to get off the line and put pressure on the NSW attack. That was NSW’s greatest strength in Game 2.

The Maroons have had two poor starts in this series so they need to charge out of the blocks and match the Blues with energy.

Every Origin game is won on desire, deciders are won between the ears.

Do the Maroons have the mental steel to want it more than the opposition and conjure a boilover on NSW soil?

That’s the question Kevin Walters’ troops must answer on Wednesday night.