Queensland have confirmed the shock inclusion of Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki for his Origin debut in next Wednesday's series decider alongside major recalls into the squad.
Shibasaki, 26, is set to play at centre after rocketing into contention across 15 NRL appearances in 2025 - just months after securing a train and trial with Brisbane during the most recent pre-season.
The Torres Strait man played 13 first grade games in the Queensland capital between 2018-2019, before bouncing across the Knights, Cowboys and Rabbitohs for limited opportunity cut by a defection to Japanese rugby with Green Rockets Tokatsu in 2022.
Shibasaki's entry results in Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's shift to fullback to replace the injured Kalyn Ponga, with Valentine Holmes moving to the wing.
Reece Walsh, three weeks back from injury, has been named 18th man.
Maroons coach Billy Slater said having the option of Walsh or Tabuai-Fidow for the no.1 jumper is a "great luxury" but the Dolphins fullback was just the right selection at the time.
"There's no one more proud than me seeing Reece back on the field and doing what he's doing," Slater said, later adding "I just think it's the best fit for the footy team, and Hammer deserves his opportunity".
NSW named an unchanged starting 17 from game two on Sunday night, despite clouds over halves pairing Nathan Cleary (groin) and Jarome Luai (infection), as well as Brian To'o (knee), with Indigenous Blues Latrell Mitchell and Connor Watson holding spots in the centre and interchange, respectively.
Knights centre Bradman Best will come back into camp after selection in the extended squad, with Titans back and Bundjalung man Brian Kelly joining as a training player.
In another major call for the Maroons, coach Slater has also convinced Raiders big man Josh Papali'i out of representative retirement for a return in the front row with the Shield on the line.
"It's probably something that I've had in the back of my mind for a couple of years now," Slater said on Monday morning.
"I thought that this team could benefit from a bit of Josh Papali'i.
"I just thought that he could add something to our footy team. So that was purely the decision around it.
"I've never put a line through it, although he's retired, I always thought that he would love to come back for another game. And the opportunity is presented itself, and I just feel it's the right time."
Queensland kept the series alive after defending a 26-6 half time lead in Perth a fortnight ago, finishing 26-24 after allowing four unanswered tries by the Blues.
Reuben Cotter has held his spot in the Maroons' forward pack, also joined by Indigenous stars J'maine Hopgood and Josh Kerr in the extended squad.
Hopgood debuted for Queensland in 2024, while Kerr is uncapped at Origin level.
It was purely performance influencing Tabuai-Fidow, Walsh, Hopgood and Kerr's selctions, Slater clarified on Monday morning.
The Origin great will hope to inherit a piece of Shibasaki's proof as a bit of a litmus test for the Broncos' good fortunes.
He's scored in all but one of his eight winning appearances, and crossed over just once in a losing effort across 15 games this year.
It was round six or seven when Slater started to take real notice of Shibasaki's rise.
"Only six months ago, he was on a train and trial contract at the Broncos playing Queensland cup up in Townsville," the coach said.
"I just think the rise of his game over the last six months has been exceptional, and I told him last night you need two things to play for Queensland.
The first one is you need to be capable, you need to have the habits in your game that are at the standard of this footy team. And the second one, you need the opportunity to be put in front of you. And those two things presented itself over the weekend.
"It'll be a dream come true for the young lad from Townsville."
New South Wales will host Queensland at Accor Stadium on Wednesday July 9.
