Queensland coach Billy Slater has called on several fresh faces for Game Three of the 2023 Ampol State of Origin series as the Maroons look to secure the first series clean sweep in 13 years.
Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh has been named make his Origin debut after he was part of the extended squad earlier in the series while AJ Brimson takes over at fullback for Reece Walsh, who is ruled out with suspension.
Horsburgh's inclusion comes at the expense of Broncos prop Thomas Flegler, who is unavailable for selection with a foot injury.
"There was a reason why Corey was in the squad in Game Two, he's been impressive through the first half of the season and built some really good habits in his game," Slater said of Horsburgh's elevation to the 17.
"You can tell when players have a great off season and Corey's one of those guys who has built a great base to his fitness levels, regularly plays 70 minutes straight for the Raiders and Ricky Stuart, the coaching staff have done a great job with the development of Corey and no-one more impactful than himself.
"Corey's knuckled down, focused on his footy and focused on what's important in his footy and you see that regularly every week, so that's the reason why Corey's earned the opportunity to play for Queensland."
Brimson - who was 18th Man for Game Two - returns to the starting line-up at fullback after making his Origin debut in the position in 2020.
"He's had a bit of a checkered run with injuries AJ, but every time that he's come back –and he came back from a hamstring injury only a few weeks ago – he just hit the ground running, I was really impressed with his performance," Slater said.
"That was the reason why he was the 18th Man for Queensland in Game Two.
"And you don't just get those opportunities for the experience.
"You get those opportunities because you deserve them.
"And if the opportunity to wear a Maroon jersey comes up, the selectors, the coaches, we're all comfortable with those players playing for Queensland.
"So, that's the case for the 18th and 19th men from Camp Two, they're in the in the team this time.”
The Maroons are otherwise unchanged from their series-clinching win in Brisbane with Cowboys playmaker Tom Dearden named as 18th Man, while Eels forward J'maine Hopgood joins the squad as 19th Man.
The Maroons are chasing their fifth clean sweep in Origin history having achieved the feat in 1988, '89, '95 and 2010.
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Blues is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Maroons is number 1 AJ Brimson
-
Winger for Blues is number 2 Brian To'oWinger for Maroons is number 2 Xavier Coates
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Centre for Blues is number 3 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Maroons is number 3 Valentine Holmes
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Centre for Blues is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Maroons is number 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Winger for Blues is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Maroons is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Blues is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Blues is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Maroons is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
-
Prop for Blues is number 8 Jake TrbojevicProp for Maroons is number 8 Reuben Cotter
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Hooker for Blues is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Maroons is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Blues is number 10 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Maroons is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
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2nd Row for Blues is number 11 Liam Martin2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 David Fifita
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2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
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Lock for Blues is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Maroons is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
-
Interchange for Blues is number 14 Isaah YeoInterchange for Maroons is number 14 Ben Hunt
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Interchange for Blues is number 15 Jacob SaifitiInterchange for Maroons is number 15 Lindsay Collins
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Interchange for Blues is number 16 Reece RobsonInterchange for Maroons is number 16 Moeaki Fotuaika
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Interchange for Blues is number 17 Clinton GuthersonInterchange for Maroons is number 17 Corey Horsburgh
Reserves
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Replacement for Blues is number 18 Scott DrinkwaterReplacement for Maroons is number 18 Tom Dearden
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Maroons team for Game Three
- AJ Brimson (Titans)
- Xavier Coates (Storm)
- Valentine Holmes (Cowboys)
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
- Murray Taulagi (Cowboys)
- Cameron Munster (Storm)
- Daly Cherry-Evans, capt. (Sea Eagles)
- Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
- Harry Grant (Storm)
- Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)
- David Fifita (Titans)
- Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys)
- Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
- Ben Hunt (Dragons)
- Lindsay Collins (Roosters)
- Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans)
- Corey Horsburgh (Raiders)
- Tom Dearden (Cowboys)
- J'maine Hopgood (Eels)
Coach: Billy Slater
