Corey Horsburgh will become the 230th player to line up for Queensland in State of Origin when he makes his Maroons debut in Sydney.
The 25-year-old Canberra warhorse joins Gold Coast fullback AJ Brimson as the only two changes made to the side that wrapped up the Origin series 2-0 with a 32-6 win in Brisbane in game two.
North Queensland’s Tom Dearden is 18th man and Parramatta’s J’maine Hopgood the 19th.
Both changes to the playing 17 for the July 12 clash were forced on coach Billy Slater.
Brisbane prop Tom Flegler misses out with a foot injury, while suspension has sidelined Broncos fullback Reece Walsh.
Horsburgh was 19th man in camp in game two and has earned his selection on the back of stellar form for the Raiders in the NRL.
In 16 games this year, Horsburgh has averaged a career-high 117 metres and 37 tackles per game.
His 95.8 per cent tackle efficiency is a high-water mark in his career.
He has versatility on his side, being able to play on an edge or in the middle of the park.
Maroons legend Trevor Gillmeister told AAP Horsburgh was “built for Origin” and the Queensland selectors clearly agree.
Maroons centre Valentine Holmes said Horsburgh’s “effort areas” were a strength.
“It’s what he’s doing off the ball that the selectors really like,” Holmes told AAP.
“That’s what Origin is about. It’s not always about the pretty things but what you do away from the ball and being there when you’re not needed just in case something happens. Horsburgh does that really well.”
Brimson, 18th man in game two this year, debuted at fullback for Queensland in 2020 and but for injuries would have played more than his three Origin games so far.
The 24-year-old has electric speed and plays with the requisite toughness required in the Origin area.
The Maroons will aim to become the first side since 2010 to secure a series clean sweep.
Queensland team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Xavier Coates 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Cameron Munster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (capt) 8. Reuben Cotter 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Lindsay Collins 16.Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Tom Dearden 19. J’maine Hopgood.
