North Queensland second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has been recalled to the Queensland State of Origin side but it is far more than a leap of faith by coach Billy Slater.
The 23-year-old aerial specialist has been superb in 11 Origin games for the Maroons and is fresh from a stunning two-try man of the match display for the Cowboys in the 26-12 win over Penrith on Saturday.
This season Nanai, who missed the opening two Origin games, has played just four club matches due to a shoulder injury but showed against the Panthers that he is back to his best.
"It was great to see him play well on the weekend but I learnt nothing that I didn't now already about Jeremiah Nanai," Slater said.
"He's done a wonderful job for this team.
"He's 23 and played 11 Origins already. That's a lot of Origin football for a young man.
"He's quite experienced and I know whatever role we ask of him he's going to be able to perform it for this team."
JEREMIAH NANAI IS SUPERMAN 🦸♂️ #NRL
— NRL (@NRL) June 27, 2026
Telstra Moment of the Match pic.twitter.com/qS0tLV0rUd
Nanai replaces Dolphins second-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki who played just eight minutes in game two.
Brisbane lock Pat Carrigan has also been recalled for the Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 8 after missing the 44-24 win over NSW in game two at the MCG with an ankle injury.
Carrigan has not played since May 31 but Slater has done his due diligence and is confident he will be fit and firing for the match.
The 28-year-old has been a feature in Maroons teams since Slater became coach in 2022.
"It was welcome news for myself over the weekend learning that Patty was available," Slater said.
"He is about five weeks post ankle surgery.
"He leaves no stone unturned in his preparation, whether he's injured or not.
"Patty will continue his rehab and doing the things he's been set by his club and Queensland medical staff, but he's good to go."
Queensland will be without Sydney Roosters prop Lindsay Collins, who has been ruled out after failing an HIA in his club's 24-18 win over Brisbane on Friday night.
The Maroons are seeking their first Origin win in Brisbane since game two in 2023, when Nanai played one of his career-best games in a 32-6 win to wrap up the series.
Before that encounter, Slater had a 30-minute session on a laptop with Nanai, who he had recalled to the team, highlighting the finer points of edge defence. The Cowboys star responded with a brilliant performance.
"To listen to him for half an hour ... it was just crazy what I learned," Nanai told AAP after the match.
"Billy gave me a lot of tips mainly on defence and there was a lot of detail to it but when I was playing in the game it came back into my head.
"When I listen to him I get confidence in myself, thanks to Billy."
The Maroons will field an unchanged backline from game two, the same starting one-to-seven they have selected throughout the series.
Queensland have lost their past two games at their spiritual home, including the decider in 2024.
QUEENSLAND TEAM: Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jojo Fifita, Cameron Munster (c), Sam Walker, Thomas Flegler, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Briton Nikora, Kurt Capewell, Reuben Cotter, Max Plath, Pat Carrigan, Jeremiah Nanai, Trent Loiero, Reece Walsh, Murray Taulagi. Corey Horsburgh (20th man).
