NSW expect to have to defeat a Queensland side featuring superstars Greg Inglis, Billy Slater and Daly Cherry-Evans if they are to finally break the Maroons' unprecedented dominance of State of Origin.
The Queensland trio remain under an injury cloud ahead of Game II next Wednesday at ANZ Stadium, after coach Mal Meninga on Monday naming an extended 22-man squad to deal with any eventualities.
Slater hasn't played since injuring his shoulder in NSW's 12-8 win in Game I, while Cherry-Evans is still struggling with a knee complaint picked up in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium and Inglis suffered an ankle injury in South Sydney's win against the Warriors on Saturday.
However, at the NSW team announcement on Tuesday, NSW coach Laurie Daley said he had no doubt the trio would take to the ANZ Stadium turf as the Maroons attempted to keep their eight-year winning streak alive.
"The fact that they had six guys in their 22 who played last night (Canberra v Brisbane) and they weren't quite sure how those guys would pull up ... they brought blokes in in case they got injuries," Daley said.
"All reports we are getting is that guys like Slater and Inglis and Cherry-Evans will be playing.
"They are not too serious so we just move on and do what we did in game one and worry about what we can do."
Daley named Josh Dugan to replace the injured Josh Morris at right centre and the St George Illawarra utility said he anticipated having to stop the Maroons menacing left hand attack of Inglis and Darius Boyd.
"As a player, you want to beat the best that Queensland can offer, there are no excuses and everyone is expecting them to play - I know we are," Dugan said.
"I'm always up for a challenge and they are a great side."
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