Grant named for Maroons debut ahead of series decider
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The Maroons have turned to rookie hooker Harry Grant to spark them from the bench in the series decider in Brisbane while also calling up another debutant in Corey Allan to fix their winger woes.
Cameron Munster has been named at five-eighth but is still yet to be officially cleared as he is in the midst of completing the concussion protocols following his head knock early in the Origin II loss to NSW.
Grant, who was one of the NRL’s breakout stars this year while on loan from the Storm to the Tigers, will line up as Queensland’s bench utility, replacing Ben Hunt, who has been relegated to the reserves.
Allan has been named on the wing in place of Phillip Sami, who has been dropped from the 21-man squad.
Christian Welch returns at prop after missing the 34-10 loss in Sydney after he was concussed in Queensland's 18-14 victory in Adelaide, with Dunamis Lui reverting to the bench.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 3 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Edrick Lee, Moeaki Fotuaika and Brenko Lee join Hunt on the reserves list.
Brenko Lee is hoping to have recovered from a calf strain by Wednesday and if fit, he could come into the centres with Dane Gagai shifting to the wing and Allan dropping out.
Munster, who trained on a bike at Queensland’s training run on Friday, will have to pass concussion protocols during the week after leaving the field in the third minute at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 3 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Maroons is number 5 Corey AllanFullback for Blues is number 1 James Tedesco
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Winger for Maroons is number 1 Valentine HolmesWinger for Blues is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Maroons is number 4 Dane GagaiCentre for Blues is number 3 Clinton Gutherson
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Centre for Maroons is number 21 Brenko LeeCentre for Blues is number 4 Jack Wighton
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Winger for Maroons is number 19 Edrick LeeWinger for Blues is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
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Five-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Blues is number 6 Cody Walker
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Halfback for Maroons is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Blues is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
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Prop for Maroons is number 8 Christian WelchProp for Blues is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
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Hooker for Maroons is number 9 Jake FriendHooker for Blues is number 9 Damien Cook
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Prop for Maroons is number 10 Josh PapaliiProp for Blues is number 10 Payne Haas
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2nd Row for Maroons is number 3 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Blues is number 11 Angus Crichton
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2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Tyson Frizell
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Lock for Maroons is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiLock for Blues is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
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Interchange for Maroons is number 12 Jaydn Su'AInterchange for Blues is number 14 Dale Finucane
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Interchange for Maroons is number 14 Harry GrantInterchange for Blues is number 15 Junior Paulo
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Interchange for Maroons is number 15 Lindsay CollinsInterchange for Blues is number 16 Nathan Brown
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Interchange for Maroons is number 16 Jai ArrowInterchange for Blues is number 17 Isaah Yeo
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
Last updated:
Coach Wayne Bennett is confident he will recover to take his place in the side and Maroons fullback Valentine Holmes said Munster was making good progress in his quest to be fit for the showdown at Suncorp Stadium.
"After the game he was a bit quiet and annoyed he couldn’t play out there but today he has been fine … the normal Munster, chatty and lippy," Holmes said.
"He seems right. He’s got to do the usual protocols. The doctors and staff will do a great job to try and get him back.
"He has played in grand finals, Origins, big games, so he is someone we definitely need to have. He is an experienced player in our team and in the leadership team. We need him on the field."
Munster was sorely missed in Sydney with Hunt playing the majority of the game at five-eighth with mixed results.
His absence also had an impact on Holmes who said he was relishing the prospect of the Melbourne playmaker's return.
"It didn’t help losing Munster, I did a lot of work with him to bring me into the game," Holmes said.
DCE keen to get to Suncorp
"His confidence and what he brings to the team gets us going.
"Ben Hunt did a great job filling in but we prepared all week for Munster and Cherry-Evans to be in the halves and Hunt to come in as a lock, roving player.
"It through a spanner in the works a bit, but it’s a professional sport and we need to be prepared for that."
Hunt, speaking before the team for the decider was named, said coach Wayne Bennett had encouraged the players to look forward and not back at the poor display in Sydney.
Holmes concedes Maroons need to lift ‘middle game’
"He touched on having a think about what you did in this game and then leaving it behind. He really wants us to move on pretty quick," Hunt said.
"He said he knows that we're a better team than what we offered there and we need to leave that one behind us and be better in Brisbane.
"We need to prepare harder this week and we'll be right to go."
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