State of Origin 2017: Kevin Walters declares he will make the final call on who replaces Johnathan Thurston

KEVIN Walters has declared he alone will make the final decision on who replaces Johnathan Thurston in the wake of a selection standoff.

Queensland Origin training ahead of game three at Suncorp Stadium — Kevin Walters, Brisbane Australia Picture AAP/David Clark

KEVIN Walters has stamped his authority on the Maroons, declaring he will make the final decision on who replaces Johnathan Thurston in the wake of a selection standoff.

The Courier-Mail can reveal influential Queensland figures are torn over Thurston’s replacement in the No. 6 jersey for next Wednesday’s Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Having served a seven-game apprenticeship from the bench, Michael Morgan is regarded as the man ready to step into the void by selectors and Thurston himself.

But skipper Cameron Smith declared debutant Cameron Munster was his preference to form an all-Melbourne playmaking quartet with Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.

The Maroons named a 17-man squad in alphabetical order and are expected to finalise their team after arriving in Camp Maroon on the Gold Coast on Wednesday.

Walters says he alone will make the final call on selections.

Walters said he will consult senior players such as Smith out of respect to their record-breaking services but made it clear he will make the final call.

“At the end of the day it will be my decision what we do,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to Johnathan about it. He is obviously a big fan of Michael Morgan.

“The positive for Munster if we play him at five-eighth is he plays there every week with those boys.

“We’d be silly if we didn’t get their (players’) input. They are the ones at the coalface who have got to do what we’re asking them to do.

“It is important to ask the players but it is a decision the coaching staff will make more so than the players.”

Walters showed how serious he is taking this decider when he blasted the team during a game of touch football at Langlands Park.

Maroons selector Darren Lockyer scuppered speculation Walters could be on a potential collision course with the panel over how Munster will be used.

Smith has declared he would prefer Munster in the halves.

“Kevvie will make the final call,” Lockyer said.

“Munster would do a good job in either position. The selectors are comfortable either way.

“Cam is ready for Origin. He is a special talent and having his Melbourne teammates there will make him feel comfortable whether he is playing centre or five-eighth.”

Smith’s endorsement of Munster could prove crucial in Walters’ ultimate decision.

The 22-year-old is highly regarded in Melbourne and transplanting the Storm’s spine into Maroon will help Munster in his Origin debut.

He has a left-foot kick and plays on the left side for Melbourne, where he would play for Queensland, while Morgan is a right-side playmaker for the Cowboys.

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“I’d probably lean towards Munster being six, just given it’s his debut game and it’s a decider,” Smith said.

“The easiest transition for him into this team would be at six given he’s played all season there and plays alongside Coops, Bill and myself.

“Morgs has played a lot more footy in the centres than what Munster has. He’s got a bit more experience behind him at this level.

“Kevvie (has) made phone calls to me throughout this whole series about players’ form. It’s never been about team selection and who I want in there, it’s about my thoughts on what guys can add to our team.

What will Walters do?

“We spend 10 days here preparing and Kev does his coaching but we’re the ones out there playing alongside those players and we understand what’s needed from our team.

“Kev is the coach and will make the final decision.”

Munster said he would be honoured to replace Thurston in the famous No. 6 jersey.

“I obviously play club level with Smithy, Slater and Coops and if that’s the way that Kevvie wants to go, then I’m more than happy to play that position,” he said.

“I know it’s a big step for me playing in a decider but if he picks me I’ll try and do my best to play there.

“A lot of good players have worn the No. 6 jersey. Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer and Wally Lewis have all worn that jersey.

“I might be a little bit nervous obviously game day or the day before when it really sinks in but at the moment, I’m just really enjoying camp and getting to know the boys a lot better.”