State of flux

What’s going on with Origin?

Maroons coach Kevin Walters says he expects winger Dane Gagai to play in tonight’s State of Origin league opener at the MCG despite a finger injury, while confirming Michael Morgan will start at fullback, with Anthony Milford joining the bench.

The reshuffle follows Billy Slater’s withdrawal due to a hamstring injury, with Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga on standby for Gagai.

The Knights young gun trained on the wing yesterday, while Gagai was being treated for a possible compound fracture of the finger.

“We expect him to play given he came back out and finished off the session,” said Walters.

“Michael Morgan will be fullback for us and Anthony Milford will go on to the bench.”

Walters said it wouldn’t be “fair” to ask Ponga to play at fullback in what would be his first State of Origin appearance, days after playing for the Knights in the NRL, and confirmed Ben Hunt would play after overcoming a cork and training strongly in the captain’s run.

The Blues have nothing to lose, except of course another series.

They have 11 debutants and a new coach ready to try anything to get things back on track after just one series victory in 12 attempts. Only six players remain from the side that lost the decider last year.

Players such as Nathan Cleary, Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic have the chance to take the Blues to a dynasty of their own. Are they ready for it?

New coach Brad Fittler's approach to blooding a new generation in game one will either prove a masterstroke or place too much pressure on a host of rookies.

NRL.com Stats reveals records are level for the opening game of the three-match series, with Queensland and NSW winning 18 games apiece since 1982.