2016 State of Origin

Gavin Cooper to make Queensland Maroons debut in game three, Nate Myles returns

Cooper, who comes into the side for the injured Josh Papalii, was one of two changes to the Maroons team that won game two at Lang Park.

Forward Nate Myles also returns to the Origin arena after missing game two with a knee injury.

Leilua unfazed by Origin speculation

The in-form centre played a leading role in the Raiders' 33-20 victory over Gold Coast at Robina on Sunday.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart says calls for Leilua to be included in NSW's side for next month's Origin III in Sydney is two games too late - an attitude his captain Jason Croker agrees with.

But the man himself says the clamour for him to be handed a Blues jersey by Laurie Daley is just noise and he's refusing to buy into it.

"I don't pay any attention to it, to be honest," Leilua told AAP.

Gallen criticism unwarranted: Flanagan

The Blues' 26-16 loss on Wednesday saw Queensland secure their 10th series win in 11 years, with the positions of NSW veterans Gallen, Greg Bird and Michael Jennings coming under scrutiny in the aftermath. 

Flanagan said the criticism of Gallen was unwarranted and believes he'll be one of the first players picked for July 13's Origin III despite a number of prospective Blues back-rowers waiting in the wings. 

State of Origin: Paul Gallen should be dropped for game three, says Steve Mortimer

The team arrived back in Sydney Thursday afternoon after suffering a tenth series loss in 11 years and Gallen did not stop to talk to the waiting media.

With the series already lost, Mortimer said he wants to see a different side run out in the final match of the series.

"There's one game to go and never has there been an opportunity to bring some young players into the fold, just like Queensland did 12 years ago," he said.

Blues call for stability to break stranglehold

In accumulating 10 series wins in the past 11 years Queensland have displayed time and again that the major gulf between the two teams is not in skill but in execution under rugby league's most intense pressure.

With the Blues trailing 20-10 with 18 minutes to play Game Two was in danger of replicating the carnage of Game Three last year but the unwelcome visitors showed great belief to bridge the gap to four and then missed the chance for the go-ahead play in the cruellest of fashion when Jennings got a fingertip to the ball in a mad scramble in the in-goal.

Cam Smith 'the greatest ever leader'

Smith had another outstanding night in the Maroon, collecting his sixth Origin man of the match award and in the process closing within two of Queensland legend Wally Lewis's record of eight. 

The Australian hooker guided the Maroons to their 10th Origin series win in 11 years on Wednesday night, with Smith celebrating his fourth series win in five years as captain of the side. 

It's just another accolade to Smith's name in what is becoming one of rugby league's most decorated careers. 

Frizell makes immediate Origin impact

While Queensland have quietly ushered in the next generation of the Maroons over the past two Series the Blues can take heart from the fact that many of their best performers inWednesday night's 26-16 loss are in their maiden Origin series.

Queensland all clear as Gagai passed fit

For the first time in the Maroons' camp for Game Two Gagai participated in a full field session on a soggy Sunday on the Gold Coast and came through with flying colours. The 25-year-old didn't quite hit top speed during the session but had no trouble striding out and said that he felt no discomfort throughout the opposed session.

"I ran out there and got up to a decent speed and it didn't cross my mind at all so I felt really comfortable with it," Gagai said following the session.

"I'll keep getting treatment until game day but at this stage I'm 100 per cent."

Timely advice puts Feldt in Origin frame

Feldt has been in camp with the Queensland team since Thursday training on the right wing in place of the injured Dane Gagai who is battling a quad injury ahead of Game Two of the 2016 Holden State of Origin Series at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.

Having been put through individual exercises away from the main playing group all week Gagai will be expected to complete Sunday's opposed session at the team's base at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast otherwise face being replaced by Feldt.

Team comes first for committed Papalii

As Wednesday became Thursday in the early hours of the morning, Papalii made the decision to drive back to Canberra so that he could participate in the Raiders' captain's run on Thursday morning ahead of their Round 13 Friday night clash with Manly.

But more than simply chucking his footy kit into the boot and pointing his car southward, Papalii had to inform his partner Sepasalesa that they would be packing up their young daughter and driving the three hours back to the nation's capital.