Who will be No.1?
That was the big question for Queensland State of Origin fans after coach Kevin Walters unveiled his Maroons squad for the series-deciding third game at ANZ Stadium.
While the Maroons desperately want to be No.1 with victory in Origin III to prevent the Blues from winning back-to-back series for the first time since 2005, the question about who will actually be Queensland’s fullback for the must-win match is the most immediate conundrum.
As expected, the Queenslanders made a couple of changes to the team that was soundly beaten by NSW in Game 2 in Perth, with ultra-impressive Melbourne prop Christian Welch and Dragons livewire Corey Norman officially joining the FOGS family by being named to make their Maroons debuts in Sydney.
Joe Ofahengaue also returns to the side after missing Origin II with injury, while Jarrod Wallace and Dylan Napa have made way in a change-up to the Queensland pack.
But it is the withdrawal of Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga with injury that has thrown up the most questions, with speculation about who will replace him at fullback and what the Queensland backline will look like as a result being kept under wraps by the Maroons.
Certainly, Queensland are not without options.
Norman could easily slot straight into fullback, or alternatively could make his debut at five-eighth should incumbent No.6 Cameron Munster shift to his preferred position at the back.
Equally, Norman could start off the bench, allowing Moses Mbye to play fullback, or moving Mbye to the centres with Cowboys captain Michael Morgan at fullback, or – potentially – moving Morgan to five-eighth with Munster at fullback.
“There is a list a mile long,” coach Walters said at the team announcement.
“We are very fortunate in that department that we have a lot of great and talented players that will do the job for Queensland.
“Whichever player is given the jersey, he will get the job done.”
QUEENSLAND TEAM ORIGIN III (alphabetical listing): Will Chambers, Daly Cherry-Evans (c), David Fifita, Dane Gagai, Matt Gillett, Tim Glasby, Ben Hunt, Felise Kaufusi, Moses Mbye, Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan, Cameron Munster, Corey Norman, Corey Oates, Joe Ofahengaue, Josh Papalii, Christian Welch.
