Broncos workhorse Patrick Carrigan has made a lightning-quick recovery from ankle surgery to be named in a 20-man Queensland squad for the State of Origin decider.
Not even a month after going under the knife to repair a syndesmosis injury, Carrigan was one of three additions to the Maroons squad announced by coach Billy Slater on Monday morning.
Patrick Carrigan is back in the Queensland squad after recovering from an ankle injury. NRL Imagery
Carrigan, Cowboys gun Jeremiah Nanai and Raiders firebrand Corey Horsburgh have all been recalled for next Wednesday night’s decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Carrigan and Nanai have been named on the bench, and Horsburgh as 20th man.
Nanai was available for selection again after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Roosters hard man Lindsay Collins has made way after suffering a concussion in his side’s win over the Broncos on Friday night, while the Dolphins’ Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and the Cowboys’ Heilum Luki have been dropped.
Carrigan badly injured his ankle in Brisbane’s loss to St George Illawarra on May 31.
The Broncos expected the tough middle forward to be sidelined for six weeks – but so fast was his recovery that he will be running out in the Origin decider only five weeks after the setback.
“Pat is as professional as any player in the NRL,” Slater told media on the Sunshine Coast on Monday.
“He leaves no stone unturned in his preparation, whether he’s fit or not.
“Coming back from this injury, Patty excelled in his preparation and rehab, and he was actually looking to play for the Broncos this coming weekend, and that made him available.
“He’s still got to get through some fitness stuff prior to the game, but he looks all set to go, and it’s good to have him back on deck.”
The loss of Collins is a heavy blow for the Maroons.
He makes big metres and plays with enormous heart.
“He’s just not quite right to get up for this game,” Slater said.
“That was a tough one. I know what it means to Lindsay to play for Queensland … I had that discussion with him and that’s where that sat.”
Lindsay Collins will miss the decider after getting concussed. Getty
Finefeuiaki made his Origin debut in game two at the MCG.
“They’re tough calls, they’re tough conversations,” Slater said of his decision to drop him.
“I think Kuli has developed so much over the last 18 months and that earned him an Origin jersey … but I still think there’s some growth in his game.
“We have those conversations and I look forward to seeing the growth in certain parts of his game. I’ve got no doubt he’ll be in this footy team in the future.”
Queensland squad for decider
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Rob Toia 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Cameron Munster 7. Sam Walker 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Briton Nikora 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Max Plath 15. Patrick Carrigan 16. Jeremiah Nanai 17. Trent Loiero, 18. Reece Walsh 19. Murray Taulagi 20. Corey Horsburgh