Parker turns up the heat on Cordner

Queensland great Corey Parker says NSW are taking an "enormous risk" playing skipper Boyd Cordner in the State of Origin decider because of his calf injury.

Boyd Cordner hasn't played since State of Origin II due to calf injury. (AAP)

Former Queensland forward Corey Parker has turned up the heat on NSW and their decision to gamble on the fitness of skipper Boyd Cordner.

Blues' back-rower Cordner is set to start the State of Origin decider but it remains to be seen whether he will be able to see out the game because of his injured calf.

The Sydney Roosters star has not played since Origin II three weeks ago and was at times restricted to light duties during the team's preparation in Kingscliff over the last 10 days.

Parker described it as big risk for him to take the field and said he was in danger of breaking down and leaving his side short a man.

"It's an enormous gamble," Parker told Fox Sports' On The Couch with Sterlo.

"A calf injury is one that you feel okay, but you can't train. And the training that he's done thus far on the AlterG (treadmill) and the like, it can't put you in a situation like you're going to be tomorrow night.

"Say you're retreating into a defensive line, you've got to take off in a split second, that can't be trained for.

"It's an enormous gamble. But I think it's a risk you've probably got to take."

Daley used his pre-game press conference to defend the decision to play Cordner, refuting suggestions he was taking a gamble.

St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin was brought into camp as cover for Cordner, and Daley said he wouldn't play his captain if he wasn't 100 per cent.

"You're still waiting for something that could go wrong but everything that he's done has just improved out of sight every day," Daley said.

"To see him out there this morning (during the captain's run), he's proven himself. We've got every confidence in him."