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| James Tedesco7.5Has copped some stick through all the contract dramas at the struggling Tigers but his stats belie the perception that his form is down. He has still averaged 164 metres per game and made 73 tackle busts in his 11 appearances this season. On the debit side, he has made four times the number of errors (16) that Boyd has made and just one crucial mistake at Origin level could prove fatal for the Blues. | FULLBACK | Darius Boyd8Can’t remember the last time he played poorly at any level and his talk in defence and the quality of his selective passing game underlies his importance. But have the Maroons blundered by not picking Billy Slater? Here’s hoping. |
| Blake Ferguson7Won’t ever win a popularity contest but he has proven himself at the highest level and has formed a dangerous combination with Dugan at Test level. A big body who is good in the air and his battle with his Maroons opposite Corey Oates will be a ripper. | WING | Corey Oates7Big, strong lad who takes some pulling down and averaging more metres this season (169) than any other player on the field. Has been known to get the fumbles at times so expect the Blues kickers to pressure him with the odd grubber. |
| Josh Dugan7.5Was the best player on the field playing right centre in the Anzac Test until forced off with a fractured cheekbone and hasn’t played since. Should be fresh and with his long term future now sorted, will be ready to rip into the Maroons. | CENTRE | Will Chambers7.5One of the game’s best centres who runs good lines and can be a real threat with the football if given room with his strength and speed. Up against Hayne, so hopefully will have his hands full all game. |
| Jarryd Hayne8Has played just six games this season in his NRL return and his numbers aren’t great but he is still the player the Maroons will fear most. Hayne is X-factor star quality and in the right mood, can come up with the special plays to win big games. Just think back to 2014. | CENTRE | Justin O'Neill5.5Has been there before but his form for the Cowboys this season hardy justifies selection again. In eight games, he hasn’t scored a try, made just one line break and is averaging just 70 metres. Selected on faith. |
| Brett Morris6.5Gets another crack because of Tom Trbojevic’s injury and won’t let the Blues down. Still one of the game’s best finishers and has a higher work-rate at club level than any other winger on the field, averaging almost 20 possessions a game. | WING | Dane Gagai7Coming off a shocker for the Knights against Penrith on Sunday but was great for the Maroons in last year’s series and has been a real try-scorer at this level. Defence can be questionable but he is elusive when he has the footy. |
| James Maloney7.5His Sharks form has been solid without being brilliant but an automatic choice after his Origin and finals series last season. His defence can be an issue (averaging more than five misses a game) and discipline isn’t his strong point (21 penalties given away) but he is proven in the big games. | 5/8 | Anthony Milford7Will he start or will Morgan get the nod first up? Milford has more tackle busts, more try assists and has forced more line dropouts than any other playmaker in the game and he doesn’t miss as many tackles as Maloney or Thurston so his ability needs to be respected. |
| Mitchell Pearce7His Roosters form demanded he be selected but does anyone really know how he will handle the pressure after his tormented Origin career? Will it be torture again or can he rise above it all and lead the Blues to victory? It will be some story if he does. | H/BACK | Cooper Cronk8.5With Thurston out, Cronk will be called on to shoulder most of the organising but it won’t faze him. Overall kicking game is superior and in a potential cliffhanger, there is no cooler player to handle the pressure. |
| Aaron Woods6.5Has his critics and has had a difficult time of it this season at the Tigers but he hasn’t let Laurie Daley down at this level in the past and probably deserves his selection on the loyalty factor alone. | PROP | Dylan Napa6.5After playing up in Emerging Origin camp last season and being overlooked, the Roosters prop gets his chance. At his best, he can be all fire and brimstone but hasn’t been at his intimidating best this season. Maybe Origin will bring it out in him. |
| Nathan Peats5.5Making his Origin debut and has a great opportunity to make the Blues hooking role his own. Only played five games for the Titans this season but has four try assists and averaging slightly more tackles per game than Cameron Smith. Tough but untried at this level and only there because of Wallace injury. | HOOKER | Cameron Smith9The most influential player on the field and not just with the referees. Will expertly steer the side around, kick them out of trouble when need be and make 40 to 50 tackles. But can this forward pack give him the platform he will need to work his magic? |
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| Andrew Fifita8Like a runaway train when he gets up a head of steam and a staggering 41 tackle busts, 24 offloads and an average of close to 150 metres per game suggests he will be one of the most dangerous forwards on the field. | PROP | Nate Myles4.5Has been a Maroons stalwart but getting a start here purely because of past deeds at this level and because the Queensland prop cupboard is pretty bare. Averaging 35 minutes and 75 metres a game for the Sea Eagles this season which just about says it all. |
| Josh Jackson7Had a great series in 2016 and his stats for the Dogs this season are nothing to sneeze at. Averages more metres than Gillett and almost as many tackles and has four try assists, more than any other starting edge forward in this game. Won’t let the Blues down. | 2ND ROW | Josh Papalii7.5Queensland needs this bloke to really fire. A destructive runner who had busted 30 tackles and made six line-breaks for the Raiders this season and has the ability to offload off the back of one of his charges. Will be a real handful if he is in the mood. |
| Boyd Cordner8One of the best edge hole-runners in the game who has been inspirational for the Roosters this season and deserves his shot at the captaincy. Combination with both Pearce and Maloney could be telling. | 2ND ROW | Matt Gillett8Has established himself as arguably the best backrower in the game over the past 12 months with his stinging defence his hallmark. His battle with fellow Test backrower Cordner will be a beauty. |
| Tyson Frizell7.5Was great for the Blues when given his shot last season and his Dragons form has been even better this year. Charges into the defence like a wounded rhino with great leg drive and can offload. Normally an edge player but will keep the Maroons defence on notice in the middle. | LOCK | Josh McGuire7A real workaholic who has a big motor and will get through plenty of the tough stuff both with and without the footy. His stats suggest he is in far better form than his middle partners Myles and Napa and coach Walters will be expecting him to play big minutes. |
| David Klemmer7.5Eats up more metres per game (151 average) than any other forward on the field and will be called on to put the Blues on the front foot against a tiring Maroons defence when he gets thrown into the game mid-way through the first half. No frills but plenty of impact. | I/CHANGE | Michael Morgan6.5Has been under enormous pressure to hold his spot after some indifferent early season form but surprisingly he has more try assists (8) this season than both Thurston and Cronk and his versatility will be a plus for coach Walters. |
| Wade Graham7.5Unlucky to miss a starting spot. Skilful ball player who has made more line breaks this season than Maroons play-maker Michael Morgan and can hit in defence. Will add plenty to the attack when he comes on. | I/CHANGE | Sam Thaiday6.5Could this be his final Origin series? If he is thinking that way, he will want to go out on a big note. The Blues won’t see him as a major threat but he will offer plenty of energy and enthusiasm when he gets on. |
| Jake Trbojevic7Cuts blokes in half with his defence, averaging more than 35 tackles a game and doesn’t miss. His huge work-rate suggests he is tailor-made for Origin and has an uncanny ability to come up with a try. | I/CHANGE | Aidan Guerra5Hasn’t been setting the world on fire and has been shopping himself around to rival clubs with the Roosters at lengthening odds to re-sign him. Hard to see him getting too much game time with Papalii and Gillett to play big minutes. |
| Jack Bird7.5A luxury to have on the bench because he can play anywhere. Has no fear, is a winner and will instantly provide an energy burst when he is thrown into the game. | I/CHANGE | Jacob Lillyman6Only knows one way – straight and hard and has lifted for these games in the past when his club form has only been so-so. Hasn’t made a tackle bust all season for the Warriors but won’t surprise to see him make an impact when he comes on. |
| 123 | TOTAL | 117 |
