Queensland received a big blow before the State of Origin series final, with Cameron Munster and Murray Taulagi likely to miss the match after failing the COVID-19 tests.
The five-eighth superstar and rookie winger have tested positive for RAT and are now awaiting the results of the PCR tests.
Both players are isolating themselves from the rest of the field and will be ruled out of the home decision if their PCR tests are positive.
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The Cowboys ’fifth-eighth, Tom Dearden, who was the 18th man before the series, is likely to get the go-ahead to replace Munster, while Brisbane’s Corey Oates has joined the team as Taulagi’s cover.
Munster has once again starred for Queensland during this year’s State of Origin series (Getty)
Queensland home state coach Darren Lockyer said the news of Munster’s absence was a “huge blow”, but still backed the Maroons to rise at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday.
“I still think they can win it in front of our audience, but now it will take a bigger effort,” he told 9News Queensland.
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“Tom Dearden has been on the field with the Queensland players the last two games … and Corey Oates will get a shot from the far left.”
Queensland and New South Wales will fight for home state supremacy in the series final at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
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