Updated July 01, 2019 11:43:56

Photo: Queensland star Kalyn Ponga is out with a calf strain. (AAP: Darren England)

Injury-hit Queensland has named Corey Norman and Christian Welch to make their State of Origin debut in the series decider in Sydney on July 10.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters on Monday named a game-three squad in alphabetical order, casting some doubt as to who would feature in what position.

Who would run out at fullback is of particular focus after incumbent Kalyn Ponga suffered a calf injury and was ruled out.

Walters said he had already decided who would wear the number one jersey but would not make it official until after he told the player, saying he was not short of options, nominating Norman, Michael Morgan, Cameron Munster and Moses Mbye as fullback contenders.

"There is a list a mile long," Walters said.

"We are very fortunate in that department that we have a lot of great and talented players that will do the job for Queensland.

"Whichever player is given the jersey, he will get the job done."

Despite the speculation, St George Illawarra's Norman is tipped to feature in the halves in a reshuffled backline.

Queensland will also have a new-look pack, with Brisbane's Joe Ofahengaue returning from a knee injury and Melbourne prop Welch to make his debut.

Canterbury's Dylan Napa and the Gold Coast's Jarrod Wallace have been dropped.

Norman is tipped to partner captain Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves, capping a remarkable turnaround for the 27-year-old.

Photo: Michael Morgan is among the candidates for the fullback role. (AAP: Richard Wainwright)

He was on the Origin outer after being fined $20,000 and suspended for the final eight weeks of the 2016 season for a string of offences — including pleading guilty to drug possession, although his conviction was overturned on appeal.

But Norman has hit top form since moving from Parramatta to the Dragons this season, earning him his first Origin nod after 180 NRL games since his 2010 debut.

"That [Norman's past] is irrelevant. Corey is that type of player, I think the bigger the occasion the better he will go," Walters said.

Welch, 24, is expected to make his Origin debut off the bench, replacing Wallace.

Ofahengaue returns to the team after missing Queensland's 38-6 loss to NSW with a knee gash and is tipped to replace Napa in the starting front row.

Bulldogs enforcer Napa appears to be an unlucky omission.

He overcame a broken wrist to start for Queensland in game two but was limited to just 23 minutes game time by Walters.

Napa and Wallace paid the price for the Queensland pack's underwhelming game two display in which just one Maroons forward — back rower Felise Kaufusi — ran for 100 metres.

Walters was still confident Queensland could seal their 12th series in 14 years.

The Maroons have won the last two series deciders in Sydney — in 2008 and 2013.

Coach: Kevin Walters

AAP

Topics: state-of-origin, rugby-league, sport, qld, australia

First posted July 01, 2019 09:23:01