Raiders prop Josh Papalii to use Parramatta Eels slip in his State of Origin bid

Papalii will lead the Maroons forward pack for Origin III at ANZ Stadium next Wednesday after coach Kevin Walters named the squad on Monday.

Walters wouldn't reveal who would start alongside Papalii in the front row - just as he wouldn't reveal who will play fullback in Kalyn Ponga's absence (calf).

It could be one of the two debutants Walters named, Melbourne prop Christian Welch, or one of the four other middles picked - Josh McGuire, David Fifita, Tim Glasby or Joe Ofahengaue.

But the Raiders prop is still stinging from the Green Machine's loss to Parramatta in Darwin on Saturday night.

Papalii was one of only two Canberra forwards to run for more than 100 metres against the Eels, finishing with 139m, one line break, three tackle busts and 33 tackles in the 22-16 defeat.

The 27-year-old said he would draw on that loss for motivation in the Origin decider.

"Yeah definitely. But I'm just going to go over my game and see what I can improve on and we'll just go from there," Papalii said.

He'll be up against his Raiders teammate Jack Wighton, after Blues coach named him in an unchanged NSW side for the series decider - sensationally overlooking Newcastle prop David Klemmer, who missed game two due to injury.

But that is dependent on Tariq Sims being cleared at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.

Wighton will play at left centre, as he did in the NSW team that thrashed Queensland in Origin II.

Blues coach Brad Fittler felt halfback Nathan Cleary (ankle) would be fit for the game, but listed Wighton as one of his options to play alongside James Maloney in the halves if Cleary doesn't get up.

"We're pretty confident he's going to play, but at the moment Wade Graham, who did a fantastic job in Perth, and also Jack Wighton [can cover him]," Fittler said.

"We feel like we're very safe at the moment with what we've got in camp."

Papalii backed Wighton to bounce back from an up-and-down night in Darwin, where he scored a try, set one up and kicked excellently, but he also committed five errors.

Walters said they were lucky to have plenty of depth in their middle forwards ahead of Origin III, with a number of options to partner Papalii.

"We'll make that decision later in the week," he said.

"There's a few contenders there and a few options we've got around that.

"We're pretty fortunate in that area in that we've got some players that are in good touch, both starting and coming off the bench."

One of those options could be Ofahengaue, who missed game two due to nasty cut near his knee that he suffered in the series opener.

McGuire could also play prop or lock for the Maroons.

Walters said the return of 23-year-old Ofahengaue was a big inclusion for the Queenslanders.

"It's a massive boost for the side and for Joe," he said.

"I called him last night and he's been waiting all day for the call to come in.

"His desire is there. He got a taste of it in game one. We know what he's capable of in the middle.

"When it counts, Joe will be up there standing giving his all."

Queensland squad: Will Chambers, Daly Cherry-Evans (c), David Fifita, Dane Gagai, Matt Gillett, Tim Glasby, Ben Hunt, Felise Kaufusi, Moses Mbye, Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan, Cameron Munster, Corey Norman, Corey Oates, Joe Ofahengaue, Josh Papalii, Christian Welch.

NSW squad: 1 James Tedesco (vc), 2 Blake Ferguson, 3 Tom Trbojevic, 4 Jack Wighton, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 James Maloney, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Daniel Saifiti, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Boyd Cordner (c), 12 Tyson Frizell, 13 Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14 Dale Finucane, 15 Tariq Sims, 16 Cameron Murray, 17 Wade Graham.