League: Blues plan pressure for Maroons rookies

Queensland centre Will Chambers can expect to be targeted by the NSW backline in Wednesday night’s Origin decider. Photo / Getty Images

New South Wales eye up newcomers Gagai and Chambers.

New South Wales are making no secret of their intent to target Queensland rookies Dane Gagai and Will Chambers in Wednesday's State of Origin III league decider in Brisbane.

Gagai will make his Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium, while Chambers will play his third interstate match.

Blues centre Josh Morris, who expects to line up opposite Chambers after Greg Inglis' move to fullback, said NSW believe they can exploit the inexperience of the Melbourne star and Newcastle's Gagai.

"I'm thinking I will be on Chambers, he is normally on the other side of the field so I guess we are both out of position, so we will look to expose him a few times hopefully," Morris said at the Blues' Coffs Harbour base yesterday.

"They have got Gagai there and Chambers. Gagai is on debut and Chambers has only played two Origins.

"There certainly are players there that haven't played in a series decider before, we can look to give them a hard night and put some pressure on them."

The Blues had their final major hit-out at Coffs Harbour on Sunday morning before flying to Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.

They have a day off today, before their captain's run tomorrow.

Hooker Robbie Farah remains a 50/50 proposition to play. He trained with the side yesterday, but in a limited capacity. In the time media were permitted to witness the Blues session, back-up hooker Michael Ennis trained at dummy half.

"With all the plays, Mick seems to be on the same page with everyone now and that is really good if Robbie doesn't play," Morris said.

Alex McKinnon was a surprise guest at Blues training on Saturday, which provided the side with further inspiration ahead of Origin III.

"It is good to see Alex and how he is travelling and on the way to recovery," Morris said. "Just his positive outlook, it certainly inspires you and it was good to have his presence at training yesterday."

Meanwhile, Queensland veteran centre Justin Hodges has confirmed he will play for the Maroons for the final time on Wednesday night.

Queensland coach Mal Meninga and Maroons teammates had kept the door open for the 33-year-old Hodges to return to Origin next year if they lost the series to NSW.

However, Hodges says he won't play again for Queensland no matter the result of his 23rd Origin game since his 2002 debut.

"I'm done," said Hodges, who is yet to decide whether he will play on in the NRL next year for Brisbane.

Hodges said he had not been too emotional at Queensland's Gold Coast camp but admitted he started to put the game in perspective yesterday.

"There haven't been too many tears but today really hit home with all the staff in the water," he said. "But I have made a decision and I am happy with it."

Hodges had a nightmare Origin debut back in 2002, at the age of 19, when he twice gifted NSW tries with "hail Mary" passes in-goal.

He has since become a Queensland great and was a key to their record eight-straight series streak that ended last year.

Hodges said he looked forward to one last battle against NSW rival Michael Jennings who was named man of the match after the Blues' 26-18 game two win in Melbourne.

"It's my job to try and stop him on Wednesday."

- AAP