"He was particularly inspirational in game one coming back from the injury after five weeks out without a game," Walters said. "He’s had a couple of games at NRL level [since].

"He’s the perfect captain for this group to bring them together. He’s very articulate and very smart. Best of all he’s a great footballer and we haven’t seen the best of him yet at this level. We’ll see that on Sunday."

Best of all he’s a great footballer and we haven’t seen the best of him yet at this level. We’ll see that on Sunday

Kevin Walters

Walters' prediction comes as the blowtorch firmly remains on NSW No.7 Nathan Cleary and the returning James Maloney, the Penrith pair trying to resurrect the Blues' campaign.

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Their Origin reunion will see a return to the spine Fittler employed successfully to win last year's series, but they are faced with a lethal Maroons quartet featuring Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster, Ben Hunt and Cherry-Evans.

"That's an area we'll get better at," Walters said. "That was their first game together and a lot of our focus again this week is around those guys and getting it right.

"The belief in this team is something else, it's gone to a new level this week. The trust … they've come together beautifully again. We’ve had a couple of new players come into the side and straight away they've welded on to what is a great Queensland team."

Prop Dylan Napa will shake off a small fracture in his wrist to start for the Maroons, who have had only minor hiccups with Ponga (calf) and Dane Gagai (virus) during the week.

Asked whether he would restrict Napa's minutes, Walters said: "He doesn't run on his hands so he's going to be fine. Once the adrenalin starts pumping through his body we’ll see his best performance.

"I’m looking forward to seeing Dylan Napa have his first start at this level for a while and Josh Papalii who has been in good touch as well. Our middles have been in great touch.

"I thought we did start OK [in game one] and it’s an area we need to improve on. That’s been our focus this week, getting our starts right. We certainly need to do it and will do it [on Sunday] night."