Queensland coach Billy Slater is keeping the Blues guessing ahead of State of Origin III in Brisbane on Wednesday night – confirming rookie Tom Dearden would wear the number 6 jersey left vacant by Cameron Munster but wouldn’t reveal whether the young North Queensland Cowboy would start the match.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday morning, Slater would not rule out starting Ben Hunt alongside skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.
On Monday, Cherry-Evans was just as evasive but did back Dearden to perform.
“He’s [Dearden] playing great footy with the Cowboys.. everyone watching him come through all saw the ability that he had,” the halfback said.
“It’s great to see him play like the way it is and Tommy won’t skip a beat out there.
“The style of footy he plays [suits State of Origin], he’s brave, a good defender, a competitor, not going to let the game go by.”
