Gilbert to debut as Maroons name team for Origin decider

Queensland Coach Billy Slater has made just one change to the side that was defeated by the Blues in Game Two of the 2022 Ampol State of Origin series, with Cowboys forward Tom Gilbert called into the squad as a replacement for Felise Kaufusi.

Kaufusi, who scored the first try of Game Two and has made 14 appearances for the Maroons since his Origin debut in 2018, is unavailable due to family reasons.

Instead, Slater will turn to Cowboys young gun Jeremiah Nanai in the back row, with Gilbert set to join Harry Grant, Jai Arrow and Patrick Carrigan on the bench.

Gilbert will become the eighth North Queensland player to be involved in Origin this year with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Nanai all featuring in the Maroons squad for Game One while Murray Taulagi joined the group in making his debut for Game Two.

Jordan McLean also joined the New South Wales squad for Game Two and is expected to be named in the Blues' squad later today for Game Three.

Broncos prop Thomas Flegler remains part of the wider squad as 18th Man, as does Titans forward Beau Fermor, while Roosters half Sam Walker will join the squad in jersey 22 as the Maroons look to clinch Game Three of the series at home in front of a sold-out Suncorp Stadium.

Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster has been named in the squad and is expected to play despite missing his side's loss to the Sea Eagles with a shoulder injury.