Corey Parker could be surprise starter in State of Origin I

BRONCOS veteran Corey Parker could be start in State of Origin I as the Maroons consider different combinations to combat a slippery surface.

BRONCOS veteran Corey Parker could be a surprise starter in State of Origin I as the Maroons consider a variety of combinations to combat a slippery ANZ Stadium surface.

Maroons ironman Parker could be thrown into fray early on Wednesday night in a strategic move that would result in prop David Shillington relegated to the bench.

Named on interchange last Monday night, Parker is renowned for his versatility as he can play on an edge or defend in tight.

Should Shillington be demoted to the bench, either Sam Thaiday or Nate Myles would move into the engineroom, giving the Maroons added mobility on a slippery Homebush track.

Maroons coach Mal Meninga has yet to finalise his squad following a turbulent build-up that culminated in star pivot Johnathan Thurston missing yesterday's opposed session against Sunshine Coast due to a virus.

But Thurston last night declared himself a certain starter, revealing he had a flu injection to expedite his recovery for his 25th consecutive Origin game in the series opener.

"I've had a jab - I'll be right to go," Thurston said at a fan day for Sydney-based Queensland fans yesterday afternoon.

Darius Boyd (ankle) looks certain to play after running for the first time with the side yesterday morning, but Meninga will wait until match day to give the Maroons winger the green light.

The composition of the Maroons forward pack also appears clouded. There is speculation Shillington may return to the bench for Game One and it gathered credence when Parker started on Queensland's left side yesterday during the opposed session in Coolum.

Shillington eventually entered the action as Meninga experimented with a number of positional contingencies certain to keep the Blues guessing.

Interchange debutant Chris McQueen spent time at left centre and is believed to be insurance on the wing in the event Boyd's ankle fails to get through the full 80 minutes.

While McQueen was posted at left centre, Greg Inglis enjoyed a roving role, underscoring Meninga's desire to get Origin's greatest tryscorer more involved in Origin I.

Maroons skipper Cameron Smith last night outlined Queensland's strategy to overcome a heavy Homebush surface.

"We've traditionally gone with big fellas in our side, but this year we have gone for a few more back-rowers on our bench and that will suit conditions in Sydney with the slippery surface at ANZ," he said.

"We will try and make a few in-roads around their ruck and see how they go when we start moving them around."

Asked last Tuesday if Shillington would come off the bench, Meninga said: "We need big bodies I think early in the piece.

"We're very confident with the rotation of Sam and Nate Myles popping their heads up eventually ... NSW are doing the same thing."

Meninga said the Maroons faced an uphill battle at ANZ Stadium, where Queensland have won just four of 19 clashes since the inaugural Origin clash at the venue in 1999.

While Daly Cherry-Evans trained in place of Thurston yesterday, Meninga is confident his veteran match-winner will play.

"Johnno is a bit crook that's all," he said.

"He came (to the fan day) so he's not too bad. I kept him away from training this morning that's all, so he's alright.

"He'll rest up again (today) and he doesn't need to get any fitter.

"He's been part of the system for such a long time so he'll definitely play."