Maroons Origin II team: Jai Arrow in hospital to treat infection

"It’s a great opportunity, it’s a great story. He has passed every test he has had to go through so far," Green said.

"Good players in the past have come up to that level particularly around Origin so I’ve got confidence Reece will do that for us.

"He has certainly shown he has got confidence and he is not afraid to back himself.

"And a good trait in most good players is if they make a mistake they can get themselves back in the game quickly and he’s been able to do that."

Queensland selector Darren Lockyer and told Inside the NRL on jetwinvip.com that Walsh could particularly help Queensland’s scoring potency. 

“His talent’s obvious, you know, we can all see that. He’s got great vision in attack and he’s got the ability to get the ball to his outside men with some space," said Lockyer.

“I know defence was our big issue in game one but we only scored the one try. Val I thought played well in game one but, in terms of that skill set that allows seeing something, seeing an opportunity and getting the ball to those men in space, then we think Reece Walsh is best equipped for that.”

Walsh will be one of two debutants for the Maroons, with Francis Molo to get his start off the bench as Green made five changes to the side thumped 50-6 by NSW in Origin I in Townsville two weeks ago.

Molo, 26, has rebuilt his career since Green signed him to North Queensland Cowboys three years ago and will play an impact role off the bench for Queensland.

The front-rower has fought back from the devastating incident in 2015 when he was banned for eight weeks after his tackle in the Intrust Super Cup resulted in the death of Sunshine Coast footballer James Ackerman.

Green worked closely with Molo during his time at the Cowboys and has seen him develop as a player.

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"He has had his challenges, Frank. A lot has been said about that but he has had different areas of his game he has no doubt had to improve and he has worked hard at that over a long period of time too," Green said.

"Having known and coached Frank for a while I know his strengths and weaknesses and I’ve seen first-hand how much he’s applied himself to try and get better at his game and he has showed that at club footy. So I’m really pleased to give him an opportunity and it’s up to Frank to give us his best."

Veteran trio Andrew McCullough, Josh Papalii and Ben Hunt have been brought into the squad with hooker Harry Grant (hamstring) and fullback AJ Brimson (knee) ruled out with injury while Xavier Coates, Joe Ofahengaue and Jaydn Su’A were dropped.

Green is hopeful the return of Papalii, who missed Origin I with suspension, and more game time to prop Christian Welch, who lasted just 12 minutes due to a concussion in game one, will tighten up Queensland’s midfield that was utterly dominated by the Blues.

"Having Josh and hopefully Christian out there for a bit longer will sure up that middle and it’s an area we need to be better in no doubt," Green said.

"It’s probably a bit better balanced pack. It will hopefully fix some of the areas we need to be better in.

"We lacked a bit of control through the middle and the start, we need to get off to a better start there."

McCullough has not played Origin since 2018 and, like Walsh, was released by the Broncos earlier this season.

The 31-year-old St George Illawarra No.9 only gets a start after injuries to Grant and Eels hooker Reed Mahoney (shoulder) but Green believes he can handle the return to this level and will add another option to their kicking game that struggled in Origin I.

"He is an 80-minute hooker and I’m not saying he is going to have to play 80 minutes for us but he is certainly fit, he is experienced and he has got good leadership qualities and he has a handy kicking game too," Green said.

"Obviously when you’re under pressure your kicking game suffers because of that so hopefully if we tighten up those other areas our kicking game will improve off the back of that."

Maroons team

1. Reece Walsh - New Zealand Warriors
2. Valentine Holmes - North Queensland Cowboys
3. Kurt Capewell - Penrith Panthers
4. Dane Gagai - South Sydney Rabbitohs
5. Kyle Feldt - North Queensland Cowboys
6. Cameron Munster - Melbourne Storm
7. Daly Cherry-Evans - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
8. Christian Welch - Melbourne Storm
9. Andrew McCullough - St George Illawarra Dragons
10. Josh Papalii - Canberra Raiders
11. Jai Arrow - South Sydney Rabbitohs
12. Felise Kaufusi - Melbourne Storm
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui - Gold Coast Titans
14. Ben Hunt - St George Illawarra Dragons
15. Moeaki Fotuaika - Gold Coast Titans
16. David Fifita - Gold Coast Titans
17. Francis Molo - North Queensland Cowboys
18. Coen Hess - North Queensland Cowboys
19. Ronaldo Mulitalo - Cronulla Sutherland Sharks

Origin II in Brisbane is sold out but tickets are still on sale for game three at Stadium Australia in Sydney on July 14 - get your tickets at.