Reece Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are Queensland’s leading options to fill the fullback spot for State of Origin III after Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of the decider with a foot injury.

Maroons coach Billy Slater would have been loathe to change his team after an inspirational victory in Origin II that squared the series, yet Ponga must be replaced due to a Lisfranc injury suffered in Newcastle’s 18-22 loss to Canberra on Friday.

Walsh then starred as Brisbane beat the Warriors on Saturday afternoon, before Tabuai-Fidow put on a four-try romp as the Dolphins smashed the Rabbitohs — though South Sydney and former Queensland coach Wayne Bennett had a blunt take on the prospect of ‘Hammer’ being named at No.1 for the Maroons.

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“Probably not, he’s too valuable in other places,” Bennett said.

“(He can play) centre or wing. They (Queensland selectors) can fill the fullback position, but there’s other places they have difficulty filling.”

Tabuai-Fidow was shifted from the centres to wing in Origin II and scored two tries in a Perth boilover. Walsh, meanwhile, has already played five Origin games under Slater in the past two seasons and looked entirely at home in the arena; though he is currently managing a knee problem.

Queensland dodged a bullet as the Dragons beat the Eels on Saturday, with centre Valentine Holmes cleared of a serious knee injury.

The other spot that Queensland may be tempted to make a change is in the forward pack, should they be worried about form and injuries of some incumbents.

A big one to watch on Sunday will be Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who is carrying a sternum complaint, while teammate Moeaki Fotuaika has had limited impact so far in the series. Corey Horsburgh has been in strong form for the Raiders but so far overlooked, while there were rumours buzzing last week about Maroons hero Josh Papalii being plucked from retirement.

Queensland will have plenty of players in action for the Titans, Cowboys and Storm on Sunday before naming their team on Monday morning, then going into camp on the Sunshine Coast.

PREDICTED QUEENSLAND TEAM — to be named Monday 9am AEST

1. Reece Walsh

2. Xavier Coates

3. Robert Toia

4. Valentine Holmes

5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

6. Cameron Munster (c)

7. Tom Dearden

8. Moeaki Fotuaika/Lindsay Collins

9. Harry Grant

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11. Reuben Cotter

12. Kurt Capewell

13. Trent Loiero

14. Kurt Mann

15. Lindsay Collins/Moeaki Fotuaika

16. Jeremiah Nanai

17. Patrick Carrigan