Maroons forward Jai Arrow is being treated in hospital with a course of intravenous antibiotics.
The QRL released a statement on Tuesday saying that Arrow had been receiving oral antibiotics to treat an infection prior to joining Maroons camp for Origin II.
Team doctor Matt Hislop admitted Arrow to hospital to "get on top of it quickly”.
He is expected to be well enough to attend training on Thursday
Meanwhile, Reece Walsh will become the youngest Origin debutant since Ben Ikin in 1995 when he pulls on the famous Maroons No.1 jersey at Suncorp Stadium.
The 18-year-old Warrior has played just seven NRL games since he was released by Kevin Walters at the Broncos two months ago because the coach wouldn’t upgrade him into the top-30 squad and didn’t think he was ready for first-grade action.
While it’s a huge leap of faith from Green to back the teenager in the toughest arena in rugby league, he has confidence Walsh can handle the job.
"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 NRL.com that Walsh could particularly help Queensland’s scoring potency.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
“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.
Billy my idol: Walsh seeking guidance from Slater
"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.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Maroons is number 2 Valentine HolmesFullback for Blues is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Maroons is number 5 Kyle FeldtWinger for Blues is number 2 Brian To'o
-
Centre for Maroons is number 3 Kurt CapewellCentre for Blues is number 3 Latrell Mitchell
-
Centre for Maroons is number 4 Dane GagaiCentre for Blues is number 4 Tom Trbojevic
-
Winger for Maroons is number 20 Xavier CoatesWinger for Blues is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Blues is number 6 Jarome Luai
-
Halfback for Maroons is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Blues is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Maroons is number 8 Christian WelchProp for Blues is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
-
Hooker for Maroons is number 9 Andrew McCulloughHooker for Blues is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Maroons is number 10 Josh PapaliiProp for Blues is number 10 Junior Paulo
-
2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Jai Arrow2nd Row for Blues is number 11 Cameron Murray
-
2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Tariq Sims
-
Lock for Maroons is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiLock for Blues is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 14 Ben HuntInterchange for Blues is number 14 Jack Wighton
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 15 Moeaki FotuaikaInterchange for Blues is number 15 Angus Crichton
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 16 David FifitaInterchange for Blues is number 16 Payne Haas
-
Interchange for Maroons is number 17 Francis MoloInterchange for Blues is number 17 Liam Martin
Reserves
-
Reserve for Maroons is number 18 Coen HessReserve for Blues is number 18 Apisai Koroisau
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
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 NRL.com/tickets.
