Blues' Latrell replacement sent for scans in Origin decider twist

Following Newcastle's 16-12 win over the Raiders on Sunday, Bradman Best was given the nod to take Mitchell's place in the Blues lineup after the South Sydney star suffered a potentially season-ending foot injury.

However, on Monday morning it was revealed Best was sent for scans on his troublesome hamstring after the Canberra clash, with Bulldogs hero Matt Burton to be called into camp.

The only other change for NSW was Maguire's call-up of versatile Warriors forward Mitchell Barnett who will make his Origin debut off the bench, bumping Haumole Olakau'atu out of the 17.

Queensland, meanwhile, have made four changes to their squad, headlined by the return of Knights duo Dane Gagai to centre and Kalyn Ponga named on the interchange with just one NRL game under his belt after recovering from a serious foot injury.

Gagai scored two tries in a crucial win over the Raiders on the weekend.

"We all know what Dane Gagai brings... he's a very passionate Queenslander and he's playing wonderful footy at the moment," Slater said.

"I'm really excited to see him back in a Maroons jersey.

"Unfortunately for Kalyn the last couple of years he hasn't been available - it was game three in 2022 the last time he was.

"It was great to see him on the field [in Canberra on Sunday]. He hasn't skipped a beat. He's done a lot of physical work to get himself in the condition that he's in and we feel it's the best thing to have him in the side."

Selwyn Cobbo and Valentine Holmes will start on the wing due to hamstring injuries to Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi.

Kurt Capewell was promoted to the starting lineup in the second row as Jaydn Su'A was dropped, and despite criticism over his performance in game two, Tom Dearden retained his five-eighth position.

Trent Loiero will be the Maroons' 18th man, with Brendan Piakura and Reed Mahoney in the extended squad. David Fifita was again snubbed by Slater.

"This is the team we feel is our best," Slater said.

"The changes aren't going to fix what happened in game two," he added. "We need to really go after our footy, make sure that we have an even share of possession, make sure our discipline is on point.

"We can't be on the backfoot like we were in game two."

NSW go into the Origin showdown in Brisbane full of confidence after storming to a dominant 38-18 win over the Maroons in Melbourne.

Best scored a double for NSW in his Origin debut last year, but injury didn't give him a chance to retain his spot in game one in this series. Now with a few strong games since returning from injury, Maguire has backed him to fill Mitchell's shoes.

Best beat out other Blues call-up options Joseph Suaalii, Tom Trbojevic and Burton.

Parramatta's Mitchell Moses has again been handed the halfback reins alongside five-eighth Jarome Luai, with Penrith teammate Dylan Edwards retaining the No.1 jersey.

Reece Robson will remain starting hooker with Origin rookie Connor Watson on the bench as a utility.

No Canberra Raiders players are set to feature in the decider.

Wednesday, July 17: Queensland Maroons v NSW Blues at Lang Park, 8.05pm

NSW Blues squad: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Brian To'o, 3. Bradman Best, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Zac Lomax, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Jake Trbojevic (c), 9. Reece Robson, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Liam Martin, 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Cameron Murray. Interchange: 14. Connor Watson, 15. Isaah Yeo, 16. Mitchell Barnett, 17. Spencer Leniu.

QLD Maroons squad: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Selwyn Cobbo, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. Tom Dearden, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Reuben Cotter, 9. Ben Hunt, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Patrick Carrigan. Interchange: 14. Harry Grant, 15. Moeaki Fotuaika, 16. Felise Kaufusi, 17. Kalyn Ponga. Reserves: 18. Trent Loiero, 19. Brendan Piakura, 20. Reed Mahoney.