Andrew Johns has shut down suggestions Nathan Cleary could return for the State of Origin decider, urging NSW to stick with the same team that won in game two.
The superstar halfback is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury, while Tom Trbojevic is also expected to line up for Manly next weekend.
However, according to one of the state’s greatest-ever players, Michael Maguire shouldn’t be looking from outside the 17 who defeated the Maroons on Wednesday.
“No changes,” Johns said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“If they are all fit, the 17 that got the job done the other night will play – simple as that.
“There’s talk about Nathan coming back, he’s one of the best players in the world, but he’s underdone and you’ve got to go with the 17 who got the job done.”
Nathan Cleary during the Panthers’ clash with Canterbury. Getty
Mitchell Moses was enormous for the Blues in game two, registering four try assists and terrorising Queensland with his kicking game, but faces a bigger challenge in the decider at Suncorp Stadium.
“His team is coming last at the moment,” former coach Brad Fittler said.
“He was incredible on Wednesday night, there was no pressure in the game and their start was perfect … his kicks were incredible.
“This will be different, this will be a game where there’s less possession and it will be a much harder game for him to stand up to.