Queensland set to call up Ben Hannant for State of Origin II to help

PROP Ben Hannant is set to bolster the Queensland pack for Origin II, while Daly Cherry-Evans could come in for Johnathan Thurston.

QUEENSLAND are poised to inject fresh blood to save the Origin series, with Johnathan Thurston in doubt for Game Two and prop Ben Hannant likely to be recalled to stiffen the misfiring pack.

Selection boss Des Morris last night flagged the prospect of changes after admitting NSW's energetic 14-6 victory was a reality check that could decide the future of some Queensland stars.

Hannant missed the Origin opener with a calf injury, but is back in the frame for Game Two after the Maroons pack emphatically lost the go-forward battle at ANZ Stadium.

Compounding Queensland's plight, Thurston faces an uphill battle to fit for the return bout on June 26 at Suncorp Stadium, opening the door for Daly Cherry-Evans.

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The Courier-Mail understands the classy five-eighth aggravated a groin complaint in just the fourth minute on Wednesday and was later inconsolable at his display and the thought of missing Origin II.

The Maroons' all-backrow bench of Corey Parker, Ben Te'o, Matt Gillett and Chris McQueen performed well, but Morris said the panel would assess whether another specialist prop was needed.

Queensland sorely missed Hannant's workrate, with starting prop David Shillington in danger of being relegated to the bench, or axed completely, after managing only 56m from nine hit-ups.

Ben Hannant

"We'll certainly review the side," Morris said. "There won't be drastic changes, but we chose the team for that first game, given the conditions in Sydney, and we need to get the balance of the side right for Game Two.

"Everyone is entitled to a quiet game and we do need to remember what this group of players have done for us the last seven years.

"Whether we were a prop short is hard to say but sometimes you need a wake-up call. We have run into a very good NSW and we need to lift to beat them."

As revealed by The Courier-Mail, Maroons coach Mal Meninga is keen to deploy Cherry-Evans in Origin II and that will happen if Thurston fails in his fitness bid.

If the Cowboys pivot recovers in time, Cherry-Evans and Hannant may yet appear on the bench, leaving Shillington and 32-year-old Ashley Harrison in the firing line.

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Queensland icon Wally Lewis says Hannant must be chosen if he recovers from the calf problem which has left him absent again from Brisbane's clash with the Raiders on Monday.

"If Ben Hannant was fit he would have been there (in Origin I). If he's fit this time, he should come back for Game Two," Lewis said.

"The guys on the bench did a good job but there will be a change."