Maroons bank on Storm for Origin decider

HOLDERS Queensland will rely on the Melbourne Storm “spine” to give the Maroons victory in today’s State of Origin rugby league series decider against New South Wales in Brisbane (with kick-off set for 5pm Cambodian time).

Queensland have won 10 of the last 11 fiercely fought interstate series and must do without injured mercurial Test pivot Johnathan Thurston and Test back Darius Boyd to clinch another one.

Thurston landed a pressure sideline conversion to crown a magnificent 18-16 comeback victory over the Blues last month to keep the series alive, but afterwards was ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

The Maroons have named debutant Cameron Munster as Thurston’s replacement at stand-off, implanting the steely Melbourne Storm club spine into the Queensland starting line-up.

Queensland will have skipper Cameron Smith at hooker along with his fellow Storm teammates Cooper Cronk at scrum-half, Munster at standoff and Billy Slater at fullback, along with Will Chambers in the centres.

“He’s playing with them every week, these guys, and understands their game,” Maroons coach Kevin Walters said after selecting Munster at No6.

“Obviously the spine is a big part of what we do, and certainly Cameron, Cooper and Billy are a major part of that.”

Smith, Cronk and Slater play an influential role in the Queensland team, with their i nnat e underst a ndi ng of attacking plays paramount to the Maroons’ chances.

Slater and Cronk are expected to make an announcement on their Origin futures after today’s crunch game.

After amassing a record 41 Origins – including 17 as skipper – Smith said this year’s title would be his most enjoyable.

“It’d be the most satisfying, no doubt . . . given the injuries we’ve had and the personnel that are unavailable,” he said.

The Blues are bidding to clinch their first Origin series since 2014 after decisively winning the opening game 28-4 in Brisbane.

Laurie Daley is in line to become only the second NSW coach after Phil Gould to claim more than one series triumph. He has named an unchanged side, although skipper and back-rower Boyd Cordner is battling a calf injury to be ready in time for the match.