State of Origin 3 teams: Queensland confirm side for 2022 decider

Queensland’s team is locked in for the Origin decider with big calls made on injured stars, out-of-form veterans and Felise Kaufusi’s replacement.

Tom Gilbert is set to debut for the Maroons. Picture: Evan Morgan

Cowboys tearaway Tom Gilbert has been pitchforked into the Suncorp cauldron for his Origin debut after key Maroons hardman Felise Kaufusi was ruled out of the series decider against NSW.

News Corp can reveal Queensland coach Billy Slater will blood another Cowboy in Gilbert, who continued his outstanding club form with an impressive display in North Queensland’s 40-26 defeat of the Broncos on Saturday night.

Gilbert will be the fourth Cowboys young gun to make his Queensland debut this season, joining Jeremiah Nanai, Murray Taulagi and Game One hero Reuben Cotter, who will miss Origin III with a hamstring injury.

Gilbert will debut off interchange, with Nanai to start in place of Kaufusi.

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Tom Gilbert is set to debut for the Maroons. Picture: Evan Morgan

Slater confirmed Kaufusi was not considered for Origin III after making a mercy dash to America to support his sick father Taniela.

Kaufusi Snr contracted a serious leg infection while on a family holiday in Hawaii and was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital last week, prompting the Maroons and Storm hardman to book an emergency trip to America.

Kaufusi missed last Thursday night’s Storm-Manly clash and the Maroons were sweating on his potential return for Game Three, but the Melbourne forward will not return in time for the series decider.

It is a blow for the Maroons, who rely on Kaufusi’s experience and toughness to set the standard for Queensland in defence.

In his absence, Slater had a number of back-row options to consider, including Titans duo David Fifita and Beau Fermor or Dragons hit man Jaydn Su’A.

Fifita made his comeback from injury against the Knights and was strong in the Titans’ 38-12 loss. He has played five games for the Maroons since 2019 and his tackle-busting brutality was viewed as a possible X-factor in Queensland’s back-row.

But Maroons selectors have opted for Gilbert, the 21-year-old firebrand who has caught the eye of Slater with his toughness, ferocious carries and spirited defence in the Cowboys’ charge to the NRL’s top three.

Gilbert, who has signed with the Dolphins for next season, has been a revelation for the Cowboys this year, averaging 30 tackles and 114 running metres per game.

Nanai’s promotion to replace Kaufusi represents a huge step up, but the 19-year-old again demonstrated his class in the Broncos derby, showing sublime footwork to score his 12th try in 14 games.

Felise Kaufusi will miss State of Origin Game III after travelling to USA for a family emergency. Picture: Getty Images.

Gilbert will provide some aggression to a Queensland bench comprising of Harry Grant, Pat Carrigan and Jai Arrow.

Queensland hierarchy like Gilbert’s versatility, with the rugged forward capable of playing in the back row or shifting to the engine room to support the Maroons’ middle rotation.

A Norths Devils junior, the 185cm, 100kg Gilbert has played 38 games for the Cowboys since his NRL debut in 2020.

Dragons enforcer Jaydn Su'A is set to miss the squad despite Kaufusi’s unavailability. Picture: Getty Images.

While Slater has found a solution to his Kaufusi headache, the Maroons face a nervous wait on star pivot Cameron Munster, who admits he is no certainty to feature in the Suncorp decider due to a shoulder injury suffered in Origin II.

Kalyn Ponga has been cleared by a specialist and will take the field for the Maroons in the Origin decider.

The Queensland fullback had to meet with a specialist on Monday after suffering two head knocks in three weeks. There were doubts if he would be right to play but he has been told he is free to line-up for the Maroons.

Ponga suffered a head knock in Origin II and was forced to skip Newcastle’s win against the Titans on Friday.

Munster (shoulder) have been named but are in doubt, but Queensland is hopeful the playmaker will get the green light from medicos.

Dane Gagai struggled with his defence in the opening two games of the Origin series. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Munster is keen to play and the Maroons maestro is likely to have a painkilling injection on his damaged AC joint to ensure he faces the Blues in Origin III.

“The shoulder has pulled up a lot better than I expected, so I’ll do everything I can to make sure I’m right,” he said.

“And that’s obviously whether Billy (Slater) decides to pick me and if he does he thinks I can do the job.

“I’ve done this injury before … you just play through it.”

In other selection news, rookie wingers Selwyn Cobbo and Taulagi have been retained, while underfire centre Dane Gagai will be given a shot at redemption after missing 18 tackles in the opening two Origin games.