QLD vs. NSW free tips, bookie odds & specials for Origin 3

But simple and easy are not the same thing.

Queensland’s job has become a hell of a lot harder with Johnathan Thurston (shoulder) and Darius Boyd (thumb) sidelined through injury.

That means State of Origin debuts for both Ben Hunt and Cameron Munster, the latter of whom is one of five Melbourne Storm stars tipped for the starting 13.

Yet there is no room for Daly Cherry-Evans, despite his strong form for Manly Warringah this season.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters has dismissed media speculation that DCE’s exclusion was based on personality clashes, insisting Hunt got the nod due to his superior versatility.

He has also downplayed the injury concerns surrounding Billy Slater, who sparked statewide panic over the weekend when he rolled his ankle at training.

“It was the last drill we were doing and he just went over it,” Walters said in a radio interview on Monday.

BREAKING: We hear from the @QLDmaroons boys following Billy’s #Origin scare. #9NRLSFS pic.twitter.com/AKTTxRDRUW

— Sunday Footy Show (@SundayFootyShow) July 9, 2017

“You could feel the silence across the whole group but I think it was more a scare than anything.

“It was the same ankle he injured against the Sharks about a month ago and he just tore maybe a bit more scar tissue off there but he’s been icing it all night.

“We hope to get him running tomorrow and see how he goes from there.”

Laurie Daley has made no changes to the New South Wales side that collapsed in the second half of game two.

Even so, there is a chance he will be forced to make an adjustment or two ahead of the decider at Lang Park.

Melbourne Storm’s Dale Finucane joined Blues training over the weekend as cover for Boyd Cordner, who is working through a calf complaint.

However, the NSW captain has moved to eliminate any doubts about his availability for the trip north.

“After yesterday I’m 100 per cent,” Cordner told reporters.

This morning Boyd Cordner will tell us how he’s feeling ahead of #Origin III!#uptheblues pic.twitter.com/2lfyfpljzH

— NSW Blues ? (@NSWRL) July 9, 2017

“It’s looking pretty good at the moment. I got through yesterday’s session.

“It wasn’t a grand final for me but it was definitely one of the training sessions I have been nervous before.

“I got a lot of work done through the week… so I was quietly confident. I have done everything that was asked of me.

“At this stage I will be playing but I still have to get through the captain’s run tomorrow.”

Tom Trbojevic also earned a call-up to the extended squad for training camp on the NSW north coast.

Queensland squad

Coach: Kevin Walters

1. Billy Slater, 2. Valentine Holmes, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Michael Morgan, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Dylan Napa, 9. Cameron Smith (captain), 10. Jarrod Wallace, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Josh McGuire.

14. Ben Hunt, 15. Josh Papalii, 16. Coen Hess, 17. Tim Glasby; (18. Felise Kaufusi).

In: Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos), Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)
Out: Darius Boyd (Brisbane Broncos), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)

New South Wales squad

Coach: Laurie Daley

1. James Tedesco, 2. Brett Morris, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Jarryd Hayne, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. James Maloney, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Andrew Fifita, 11. Boyd Cordner (captain), 12. Josh Jackson, 13. Tyson Frizell.

14. David Klemmer, 15. Wade Graham, 16. Jake Trbojevic, 17. Jack Bird; (18. Jack de Belin).

No changes

Billy Slater betting specials

• Anytime tryscorer – +240 at Sportsbet
• Most tries vs. Tedesco – +350 at William Hill
• To score a try in the first half – +500 at Sportsbet
• Man of the match – +1200 at Ladbrokes
• First tryscorer/Queensland win – +350 at Sportsbet

If Queensland are to steal the series, this guy has to play.

People are still trying to figure out how Walters and his selectors overlooked the Melbourne Storm star for game one.

Darius Boyd was excellent in Origin 2016, but Slater is one of rugby league’s all-time greats – maybe the best fullback ever to play the sport.

He was huge in game two and will only be more important now with Thurston out of commission.

Maroons vs. Blues match tip

New South Wales -1.5 – -108.7 at Ladbrokes

Queensland’s veteran stars got them home in game two.

Should Slater join Thurston in the casualty ward, a repeat of game one could be on the cards.

Even if Billy is fit, the Maroons are not quite the same without JT running the show.

We think the Blues can put their demons aside and deliver on their favouritism this time out.