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Queensland veteran Billy Slater is reportedly out of the opening State of Origin clash at the MCG after picking up a hamstring injury in training.
- Slater was officially given green light for Origin I, but reports on Monday said a hamstring complaint had cost him
- Darius Boyd expected to be recalled to squad to replace Slater
- Valentine Holmes will be Maroons' new goal kicker, Greg Inglis to skipper the side
After announcing 2018 would be his last-ever Origin series, Maroons star Slater could now miss the opening game in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
Channel Seven reported Slater failed a fitness test, meaning a possible return for Brisbane veteran Darius Boyd to wear the number one jersey.
After officially being given the green light by Queensland coach Kevin Walters, reports emerged on Monday that Slater had lost his race against time to overcome the hamstring complaint.
On Monday morning, Queensland coach Kevin Walters said every player was still available to him.
While admitting the Maroons had been "a little worried" about the veteran full-back, he gave the side a clean bill of health.
"We had our last session at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast, and the boys are travelling down this afternoon," he told a media conference.
"So we expect everyone to come through that fine. We got one training session to get through, obviously, with our captains run but we expect to have a fully-fit team to go on Wednesday night."
It would be a huge blow for the Maroons who are already without retired greats Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston.
Half-back Ben Hunt (thigh) and lock Josh McGuire (ankle) were their other injury concerns.
Queensland officials are yet to confirm Slater's withdrawal but should they, as is expected, Boyd could be recalled to the side to wear the number one jersey.
Michael Morgan — currently on the bench as Queensland's utility — is another full-back option while Newcastle rookie Kalyn Ponga may also be in the mix.
Meanwhile, Walters confirmed Cronulla flyer Valentine Holmes would be the Maroons' new goal kicker in Origin I.
Dane Gagai and Cameron Munster were options but Walters said Holmes had impressed most after a kick-off at training.
"We expect Val to be kicking for us. He is not kicking in clubland but always practising," he said.
Walters got emotional when speaking about Greg Inglis taking over the captaincy as Queensland begin a new era.
"I know how Greg will play. He will lead from the front. If he can do that I will be really confident sitting in the coach's box," he said.
"I would not want anyone else but Greg right now in the situation we have found ourselves in."
Inglis — ahead of his 31st Origin game — admitted he didn't know what he would say to his troops before kick-off but was confident of leading by example.
"It's a tremendous opportunity for myself. I started my career down here when I moved to the [Melbourne] Storm at 16," he said.
"To be back here and leading the Maroons, it is ironic but I will put the team first."
Inglis becomes Queensland's 13th captain and third Indigenous Maroons leader after taking over from 42 Origin great Smith.
AAP/ABC
Topics: state-of-origin, rugby-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, brisbane-4000, qld, sydney-2000, nsw, australia
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