Qld

According to a Newscorp report, Sunday’s clash between the Panthers and the Rabbitohs is set to go ahead with a 7.30pm kick-off as planned.

It comes as Perth and Sydney made late bids to host the game a week later as fears of an uncontrolled outbreak of Covid-19 in the sunshine state grew.

North Queensland's Tabuai-Fidow has been named to make his Origin debut for the July 14 clash in a re-jigged backline that welcomes the return of Newcastle X-factor Kalyn Ponga from a groin injury that sidelined him for the two first games.

Tabuai-Fidow - just 19 - slots into centre for Penrith's Kurt Capewell who relocates to the starting back-row after being tormented by Tom Trbojevic in NSW's convincing wins that sealed a third series win in four years for the Blues under coach Brad Fittler.

Walsh, 18, will become the youngest Origin debutant since Ben Ikin in 1995 when he runs out in the Maroons No.1 jersey made famous by the likes of Gary Belcher, Darren Lockyer, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis.

Cowboys front-rower Francis Molo will also make his debut while veteran hooker Andrew McCullough, Canberra prop Josh Papalii and Dragons utility Ben Hunt return to the side with Xavier Coates, Joe Ofahengaue, Jaydn Su’A all axed while Harry Grant (hamstring) and AJ Brimson (knee) were ruled out with injury.

For the first time since Game Three, 2004 a State of Origin match will be played without Thurston after the champion five-eighth was officially withdrawn from the team, freeing the way for Anthony Milford to prepare for his Origin debut without any doubt.

On Wednesday morning Thurston told the media that he remained hopeful of playing his 37th consecutive Origin match but some testing late on Wednesday afternoon and a subsequent scan early Thursday morning confirmed that his shoulder was in no fit state to take the field and the decision was made.

Figures from Queensland Health showed 27,506 people were diagnosed with an STI in 2016, up 10 per cent on the previous year.

About 82 per cent of cases were for chlamydia, however experts have been surprised by a large spike in gonorrhoea.

In 2016, 4,006 Queenslanders were diagnosed with gonorrhoea, up from 3,038 the previous year.

The bacterial disease can affect both sexes, and has the potential to cause infertility in women and harm unborn babies.

Most cases were recorded Brisbane's Metro North and Metro South reporting areas.

Patients at the Princess Alexandra Hospital will start undergoing treatment within days now that the new computer program, Calypso, has gone online.

Patients at the Princess Alexandra Hospital will start undergoing treatment within days now that the new computer program, Calypso, has gone online.

Opinion has been divided on Parker's decision to announce his retirement at the end of the season two days out from potentially the biggest rugby league match of the year but both Walters and Blues counterpart Laurie Daley expressed surprise at the 34-year-old's decision.

The recipient of the Wally Lewis Medal last year as the best player in the 2015 Holden State of Origin Series, Parker had intimated that he was keen to play on in 2017 but instead has decided to make this year his 16th and final NRL season with the Broncos.

McGuire was on Wednesday evening named to replace the injured Nate Myles in the Queensland starting team for Game Two of the 2016 Holden State of Origin Series and a toss of the coin and direction of the wind will determine whether he is the first man tackled in what could be the Series decider.

Dating back to the very first game in 1980 with Arthur Beetson, Origin matches have featured a roll call of barrelling bookends who have taken arguably the hardest run in rugby league by throwing themselves at the mercy of a rabid opposition.

Maroons assistant Anthony Seibold confirmed that Cronk would take his place in the Queensland side, five days after rolling his ankle at training at their Gold Coast camp.

"He trained really well last night. I can confirm he is going to start tonight," Seibold said.