Injury concern Darius Boyd has been named in an extended Queensland squad for next week's State of Origin rugby league series opener in Sydney.
Maroons selectors included the Newcastle winger in a 19-strong squad in Brisbane on Monday night, while Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has been included in case he has to cover for pivot Johnathan Thurston, whose partner is expecting their first child on June the 5th - which is game day.
And Canberra enforcer Josh Papalii - once in New Zealand's sights - has also been added on an extended interchange.
Boyd had not been expected to run out in the opening game in Sydney next Wednesday night after injuring his ankle playing against the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday.
Maroons selectors caught a break from the NRL match review committee on Monday when halfback Cooper Cronk and forward David Shillington were cleared to play against New South Wales after escaping sanction from the MRC, despite both being placed on report last weekend.
Another prickly issue was Ben Te'o's selection while a question mark hovers over the Auckland-born South Sydney utility forward, after an NRL probe was launched into assault allegations against him by a 22-year-old woman.
Queensland: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (C), Dave Shillington, Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Ben Te'o, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker, Chris McQueen
18th and 19th men: Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Papalii
