Cowboys forward Tom Gilbert will become FOG No.227 by accepting one of the toughest assignments in Australian sport – playing his first game for Queensland in the white-hot furnace of a State of Origin series decider.

Queensland’s new Origin era under coach Billy Slater continues to evolve with the Maroons squad named for the Suncorp Stadium showdown on July 13, with Gilbert coming into the 17 and Roosters sensation Sam Walker named in the extended squad for Game 3.

With Felise Kaufusi unavailable, Jeremiah Nanai has been promoted to the No.12 jersey, with the Cowboys’ sensational season helping to lift his teammate Gilbert into the squad.

The Cowboys, chosen by some as a wooden-spoon contender this year, now incredibly sit fourth on the ladder after 16 rounds, following another impressive Queensland derby win over the Broncos on the weekend.

Gilbert will be the fourth Cowboys player to earn their Origin debut this year – joining Nanai, Murray Taulagi and the injured Reuben Cotter as rookies to have earned their stripes under Slater.

Another North Queenslander, outside back Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, is the other new addition to the squad after the disappointing loss in Origin II, giving the Cowboys six representatives in the 22-man squad.

Aside from that, Slater has stuck with the squad that crashed heavily to the Blues in Perth, backing the Maroons to redeem themselves, avenge the defeat and snatch the series win with a packed and parochial Suncorp Stadium behind them.

The selection of Walker is clearly with one eye on the future, but is an intriguing twist with injury clouds hanging over five-eighth Cameron Munster (AC joint) and fullback Kalyn Ponga (concussion).

Both experienced playmakers have been named and declared they are right to play, but will need to prove their fitness before kick-off.

Slater’s squad though has the versatility required to cover any eventuality, with North Queensland pivot Tom Dearden having been a part of the extended squad for all three games, and starting hooker Ben Hunt a proven performer in the halves.

Melbourne rake Harry Grant could easily come off the bench and into the starting side should Hunt need to fill a hole in the halves.

QUEENSLAND GAME 3: Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai, Murray Taulagi, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans (c), Lindsay Collins, Ben Hunt, Josh Papalii, Kurt Capewell, Jeremiah Nanai, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. INTERCHANGE: Harry Grant, Jai Arrow, Pat Carrigan, Tom Gilbert. EXTENDED SQUAD: Tom Flegler, Tom Dearden, Beau Fermor, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Sam Walker.