Slater has made one of the biggest calls of his coaching career, opting for the electric speed of Tabuai-Fidow over the exuberance of Reece Walsh. In Game II, the Maroons played a direct style of football, choosing to go through the Blues with short passes instead of around them. It appears Billy still sees value in this arrangement and will be challenging the middle third of NSW.
It would have been interesting if Walsh went into Origin III completely fit. While Reece has played a major hand in his club's three straight victories, he has been hampered with his right knee and it has affected his performance at times. Still, if the Hammer plays well here, it could have major ramifications on Walsh's representative career moving forward.
Shibasaki has capped his meteoric return with a well deserved Maroons cap. Shibasaki has been one of the Broncos best players this season and did everything to put himself in the frame. If Billy was to play it safe, the more logical selection would have been to retain Val in the centres with Taulagi coming in, but Murray has been struggling with his fitness. Savage was the other name mentioned and it would have been interesting to hear how close Xavier was to playing Origin.
Papalii is currently in Canberra to stay with his wife and his new born son, but will rejoin the camp shortly. Billy will hope that Josh leads from the front and sets an early tempo.
