Harry Grant’s father will be forced to switch allegiances next week

Harry Grant’s father Paul is ready to switch allegiances as he prepares for his son to make his State of Origin debut next week.

Hooker Harry Grant during a Queensland training session at Cbus Super Stadium

Paul Grant has worn a Queensland jersey once in his life. It was when his son Harry played for the Maroons’ under-20s side a few years back and flesh and blood took precedent over the state of his birth.

Paul is as NSW as they come, but a decision to move the family to North Queensland in 1998 led to Harry being eligible for the Maroons.

It has left Grant’s father — and his extended family, most of whom are based in Port Macquarie — facing a dilemma on Wednesday night as Harry prepares to make his Origin debut for Queensland, having been named on the interchange bench for the third and deciding game at Suncorp Stadium.

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“I always said if any of the kids played for Queensland, I would turn,” Paul told The Weekend Australian.

“I work at a primary school and I had a bet with one of the students (earlier this week). I said if NSW won the second game, he had to wear a NSW jersey. If Queensland won, I had to wear a Queensland jersey. He’s been wearing a NSW jumper all day.

“But If Harry plays, I will become a Queenslander.”

Asked whether he had a Queensland jersey in his possession, he replied: “I haven’t yet but they’re pretty easy to find up here.

“When (Harry) had a few weeks off (before entering the Origin bubble) he went to see my old man in Port Macquarie and bought him a Queensland jumper.

“He’s been a Blue for 80-odd years. He turned him. We always thought if he got a game it would be in the third one, just because of the attrition and maybe looking to the future.”

The future can wait. The Maroons’ only concern at the moment is the present and finding a way to atone for their last-start thrashing at the hands of NSW at ANZ Stadium.

Queensland coach Wayne Bennett has rung the changes in an attempt to revive his side’s fortunes. Grant has been added to the interchange bench in place of Ben Hunt, who missed a handful of tackles in Origin II and has paid the price as a result. Corey Allan has also been named in place of Phillip Sami, although it would be no surprise if he started at fullback and Valentine Holmes moved on to the wing.

Prop Christian Welch returns from concussion, with Dunamis Lui shifting to the interchange bench and Moeaki Fotuaika dropping out of the 17 altogether.

There has also been talk that Brenko Lee could come into the side if he passes a fitness test on his calf — he is part of the extended 21-man squad.

Importantly, five-eighth Cameron Munster was named to play despite suffering a head knock on Wednesday night. Munster passed his head injury assessment but failed to return to the action because he showed a loss of balance on the field.

There have been calls for Munster to sit out but he seems certain to play in a game which will decide where the shield will domicile for the next 12 months.

The Blues are also believed to be considering changes, although coach Brad Fittler named the same 17 on Friday afternoon. Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and St George Illawarra captain Cameron McInnes are both part of the extended squad and under consideration for a place on the interchange bench.

The Maroons had no choice but to wield an axe of sorts after the way they performed in Origin II. Grant, the Dally M rookie of the year after an outstanding season at Wests Tigers, has been banging down the door and has the ability to not only back-up Jake Friend, but slot into the back row.

Next week is expected to be the first of many Queensland jerseys for the 22-year-old. His father couldn’t be prouder.

“At least it will make the missus happy,” Paul joked.

“She has been a bit grumpy lately.”