State Of Origin

But the statistics suggest they're facing an uphill battle, with the Blues having never won a game in Sydney after trailing the series 2-0.

During their recent period of dominance Queensland have not only won 10 of the past 11 State of Origin series, they have also won every Game Three since 2009. 

Only Michael Jennings remains from the NSW 17 that won Game Three six year ago, with Gallen the only other Blues player to have won the final game of a series (in 2007).

The Maroons have now won 10 Origin series in the past 11 years after their 26-16 Game Two win on Wednesday night and Queensland admit they want more of where that came from. 

The series win means that rookie Maroons coach Kevin Walters has a 100 per cent success rate in Origin matches, with the fan favourite starting where now-Australian coach Mal Meninga left off. 

Queensland selector Allan Smith admits Cooper will remain in the queue along with fellow Cowboys back-rower Ethan Lowe when they finalise June 22's Origin II team on Monday.

Smith said only injuries would pave the way for Cooper's maiden Origin due to the selectors' loyalty to incumbent bench forward Guerra.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," Smith told AAP when asked about Queensland's Origin II side.

"Our biggest issue is how everyone pulls up."

McKinnon was left a quadriplegic in March 2014 as a result of a tackle in an NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and Smith's Melbourne Storm.

The former Knights forward criticised Smith in a 60 Minutes interview for comments the Queenslander made on field, and also for an apparent lack of contact since the incident.

Smith was not granted a right of reply in the Channel Nine interview and had remained silent for a long period.

The Panthers could be one of the best represented clubs in this year's series with as many as five players tipped to be on New South Wales Blues coach Laurie Daley's radar. 

Matt Moylan, Bryce Cartwright and Josh Mansour are all in line to make their debuts in Game One, while Trent Merrin is in the mix to add to his 13 appearances. Tyrone Peachey's name has also been mentioned after a stellar showing in the County-City clash earlier this month.