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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Queensland Maroons ironman Pat Carrigan has declared himself fully fit to contest the State of Origin series decider, completing a miraculous comeback from a foot injury that threatened his campaign.<\/p>\n The Brisbane Broncos lock will take his place on the bench as named, after Lindsay Collins was ruled out due to a concussion suffered last week while playing for the Sydney Roosters.<\/p>\n It was believed Carrigan would take no further part than game one of the series, having undergone surgery on a syndesmosis injury which was expected to keep him sidelined for at least six weeks after last playing in his club\u2019s round 13 defeat to the Dragons.<\/p>\n He needed to pass fitness tests this week to prove he could take the field, with Raiders middle Corey Horsburgh named at 20th man as cover.<\/p>\n But after partaking in the full Maroons training session on the Sunshine Coast opposing the Gold Coast Titans, Carrigan revealed he was certain to play his part in the game three decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 8.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m 100 per cent ready to go, I did all the session today and felt really confident, and I\u2019ll have another run on the weekend,\u201d Carrigan said.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, I\u2019m four weeks off the op [operation], so there are a few things I need to get right. I\u2019ve ticked off a lot of boxes and had a good hit out against the Titans boys too, so I feel really healthy and ready to go.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the moment I did it, I kind of set a goal for five weeks to Origin three and put myself in a position to not only be available, but if I were to play, be able to do a job for the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n New South Wales have copped some criticism throughout the series for picking players with lingering injury concerns and limited NRL exposure under their belts \u2013 most notable the decision to usher in five-eighth Mitchell Moses as he continued to overcome a hamstring concern having not played for Parramatta since round 11.<\/p>\n But Carrigan dismissed any concerns for his own ability to perform as he had before his setback, declaring he would be ready to play 80-minutes if required after Maroons coach Billy Slater had consulted with medical staff before calling the 28-year-old.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m confident in the rehab process and everything that I\u2019ve done, and I\u2019ve made sure that I\u2019ve hit extra conditioning and all those sorts of things,\u201d Carrigan said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve ticked all the boxes, and I wouldn\u2019t put myself in a position to let my teammates down or my state down. I\u2019m well aware I\u2019ve got a job to do, and that\u2019s to perform on Wednesday night.\u201d<\/p>\n Carrigan\u2019s return also comes a time when his club need the best of their marquee lock, with the Broncos\u2019 seven-game losing streak now compounded by the official loss of rookie prop Ben Te Kura.<\/p>\n Te Kura was granted six weeks of leave from Red Hill in April to pursue an NFL opportunity on the Gold Coast, with the Broncos confirming he had been released from his contract and would continue his pursuit of his American dream in Arizona from 2027.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very grateful to the Broncos for everything they\u2019ve done to support me in pursuing an opportunity in the NFL,\u201d Te Kura said.<\/p>\n \u201cMaking my NRL debut for the Broncos against the Storm in 2024 was such an unbelievable moment for myself and my family. I owe the club so much for the faith they\u2019ve had in me right from day one.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Pat](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/c0063ecf454e006fdacdf8396a8c9b16cd01e5a6ee54e91a8e1f78ca40052c27.jpeg\")
Pat Carrigan trains with the Maroons.Getty<\/p>\n![\"Lindsay](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5d9369041132a5ce6c4484cd3d98a54c0f0302ec.jpeg\")
Lindsay collins will miss Origin III due to injury.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Carrigan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/22351d8907edfc0cc6444dcad218b64740de1c1d.jpeg\")
Carrigan in action for the Broncos in round 10.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Ben](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cf556546525970072e4564aa97b8146834059c5d.jpeg\")
Ben Te Kura will pursue an NFL career next season.Gregg Porteous\/NRL Photos<\/p>\n