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[R L Winger]

NSW name Williams, Stewart for Origin III

NSW coach Ricky Stuart may keep Queensland guessing right up to State of Origin III kick-off after naming Manly duo Glenn Stewart and Tony Williams in a 19-man squad for the series decider.

In an early start to the mind games ahead of the blockbuster Suncorp Stadium match-up on Wednesday week, Stuart named Stewart despite the Sea Eagles back-rower being diagnosed with a partial tear of the medial ligament less than a week ago.

Williams confirmed his recall with a barnstorming return in Sunday's 52-14 demolition of the Sydney Roosters, while Beau Scott was also named to add to the cloak and daggers approach.

The only confirmed change to the side which levelled the series with the game two win in Sydney was the dumping of winger Akuila Uate for St George Illawarra flyer Brett Morris - who will line up alongside twin brother Josh for the first time in sky blue on NSW's right edge.

But the make-up of the back-row and bench may not be determined - at least publicly - until game day.

"He's coming out of the brace and I think he deserves every opportunity to make himself available," Stuart said of Stewart, who was thought to be out for 3-4 weeks.

"He's been a huge part of it, the last two series. I don't want to put a timeframe on it.

"We'll assess it and give him some time over the next two or three days and monitor where he's at."

Any doubts over Williams - who had not played since injuring his back in Origin I - were erased by the time Stuart walked out of Allianz Stadium after 70 minutes of Sunday's game.

The giant back-rower is the x-factor capable of changing the game for the Blues, Williams' impact immediate against the Roosters as he threw away defenders to set up Jorge Taufua's early try before a deft chip kick laid it on a platter for Steve Matai to score.

"He played 80 minutes and his touches were assists for the first two tries," Stuart said.

"He's played himself into the squad today.

"He gives us a different style of football if he is selected."

Added Williams, who appeared in discomfort at stages of his comeback:

"I'm alright, just a bit there in the first half I got twisted, nothing major.

"I was a bit worried about the back but the back was good.

"I was devastated I couldn't play (game two) but I was happy that they got the win and now I have the chance to be a difference."

Stuart agonised over the decision to dump Uate, who was one of NSW's best in last year's losing series.

But he was hopelessly exposed in defence in both games of this year's series, and it was a concern Stuart didn't want a player or the team carrying into what shapes as NSW's biggest game in years.

"He's young, he's had a bit of pressure on him over the last two games," Stuart said.

"He handled it very well, but they're going to keep coming down that edge so I've had to look at it."

NSW squad
Greg Bird
Todd Carney
Ben Creagh
Robbie Farah
Paul Gallen (capt)
Tim Grant
Jarryd Hayne
Michael Jennings
Luke Lewis
Trent Merrin
Brett Morris
Josh Morris
Mitchell Pearce
Beau Scott
Brett Stewart
Glenn Stewart
James Tamou
Anthony Watmough
Tony Williams

[R L Winger]

Slater named in 20-man Qld Origin squad

Queensland have named a 20-strong squad for next week's State of Origin series decider to provide cover for their major injury concerns that include superstar fullback Billy Slater.

Slater features in Queensland's expanded squad, but is racing the clock to be fit after suffering a knee injury in Origin II, initially expected to sideline him for up to another three weeks.

Greg Inglis is expected to wear the No.1 jersey if Slater succumbs to injury, with Melbourne's Dane Nielsen likely to slot into Inglis' left centre spot.

Canterbury's Ben Barba has not been included, with experienced North Queensland fullback Matt Bowen earning a recall to the 20-man squad.

Maroons selectors are also sweating on Justin Hodges (ribs) and Sam Thaiday (shoulder), while Gold Coast lock Ashley Harrison (broken toe) has been ruled out, handing Brisbane's Corey Parker his Origin starting debut against NSW at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday July 4.

Parker's Broncos teammate Ben Te'o has been called into the extended Maroons squad.

South Sydney forward Dave Taylor lost his starting spot to Thaiday and will be under pressure to make the bench with the inclusion of Te'o.

Selectors will make a final call on whether Matt Scott starts after the Cowboys enforcer attends his mother's funeral on Wednesday.

If Queensland win game three, they will seal a seventh straight series, giving retiring prop Petero Civoniceva a fitting farewell in Maroons colours.

Meninga will give Slater until the end of the week to prove his fitness.

"He ran yesterday, he was very upbeat, we are very hopeful but we can't make any judgments just yet," he said.

And asked about whether Inglis would replace Slater at fullback, Meninga said: "We've got Matt (Bowen) here as well but we are in no hurry (to make a decision)."

QLD Squad
Matt Bowen
Darius Boyd
Petero Civoniceva
Cooper Cronk
Matt Gillett
Ben Hannant
Justin Hodges
Greg Inglis
Nate Myles
Dane Nielsen
Corey Parker
Matt Scott
David Shillington
Billy Slater
Cameron Smith (capt)
Brent Tate
David Taylor
Ben Te'o
Sam Thaiday
Johnathan Thurston

[R L Winger]

Liam Foran to captain NSW Residents side

Kieran Foran’s older brother, Liam, has been named captain for the NSW Residents side that will take on the Queensland Residents at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night as the curtain raiser before the third and deciding Harvey Norman State of Origin clash.

Foran is just one of a series of players who have been selected from the ranks of the VB NSW Cup to fill the Residents side that also has NRL experience.

NSW Residents Team:
01. Michael Lett (Illawarra Cutters)
02. Justin Carney (Newtown Jets)
03. Ricky Leutele (Cronulla Sharks)
04. Troy Savage (Wentworthville Magpies)
05. Michael Oldfield (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
06. Liam Foran © (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
07. Ryan Carr (North Sydney Bears)
08. Shane Shackleton (Wentworthville Magpies)
09. Cameron King (Illawarra Cutters)
10. Josh Cordoba (Cronulla Sharks)
11. Marvin Filipo (Newcastle Knights)
12. David Gower (Illawarra Cutters)
13. Mitch Achurch (Windsor Wolves)

Interchange:
14. Matt Moylan (Windsor Wolves)
15. Matt Robinson (Windsor Wolves)
16. Kyle O’Donnell (Newcastle Knights)
17. Jack Stockwell (Illawarra Cutters)

Reserve Players:
18. Shane Pumipi (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
19. Josh Mantellato (Newcastle Knights)
20. Tim Browne (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

Coach: Rip Taylor (Newcastle Knights)

[R L Winger]

Queensland Residents team named

The Queensland Rugby League has announced the Queensland Residents team that will take on the NSW Residents as curtain raiser to the third and final Harvey Norman State of Origin clash at Suncorp Stadium.

01. Lachlan Maranta (Norths Devils)
02. Nathanael Barnes (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
03. Dan Wallace (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
04. Donald Malone (Ipswich Jets)
05. Liam Georgetown (Redcliffe Dolphins)
06. Grant Rovelli © (Mackay Cutters)
07. Luke Capewell (Redcliffe Dolphins)
08. Charlie Gubb (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
09. Jake Granville (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
10. Chris Farrell (Redcliffe Dolphins)
11. Nick Slyney (Redcliffe Dolphins)
12. Jon Grieve (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
13. Joel Riethmuller (Northern Pride)

14. Kurt Baptiste (Norths Devils)
15. Mat Pitman (Souths Logan Magpies)
16. Jarrod Wallace (Norths Devils)
17. Brendon Gibb (Norths Devils)

Coach: Paul Green

[G Las D]

That's almost 40 of the best players taken out of Round 17.
It'll be a great game but will reduce the bread and butter games significantly.
I declare an interest - it makes managing a Fantasy team very difficult!

[The Future is League]

Shocking choice of refs for this game
http://www.courierma...x-1226409141052