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GOLD COAST - Queensland are confident enforcer Carl Webb will be fit for Wednesday night's opening State of Origin rugby league match in Brisbane.
Maroons officials are awaiting the results of scans on Webb's injured hamstring but they're optimistic the North Queensland powerhouse forward won't be ruled out
of the match against New South Wales.
In a further boost to the series favourites, Queensland captain Darren Lockyer said today his injured right ankle would be "100 per cent" by Wednesday night.
Webb threw a massive scare into the Maroons camp yesterday when he strained his hamstring at training.
"We're all still pretty confident that he's going to be OK," Lockyer said as the players enjoyed a day off at their luxury hotel on the Gold Coast.
"Two days out from the game you're hoping someone like Carl who's in the starting team can take the field.
"He's trained with us all week."
Melbourne forward Antonio Kaufusi was to arrive at Sanctuary Cove today as the emergency reserve.
One of nine children, Tongan-born Kaufusi made his test debut for Australia in last year's Tri Nations tournament but has yet to play for the Maroons.
"If Kaufusi gets a start, Lang Park playing for Queensland, I don't think it gets much better for him," Lockyer said.
"The fact that he has turned down the Kiwis to play Origin does show that he's very eager and I guess loyal to Queensland.
"That's the sort of qualities you want in a player who wears the jersey."
Lockyer said his ankle was responding well to round-the-clock treatment and he hadn't been troubled by the injury during his two training sessions with the Queensland squad.
"The last two sessions I've been able to complete and haven't had too much soreness or pulling up so it's been good," the Brisbane five-eighth said.
"I think it'd be about 98 or 99 per cent now so I reckon in the next 48 hours it'll probably improve to get to where it needs to be, 100 per cent.
"The biggest test for it would obviously be contact tackles but it's got through training, tackling drills as well, and it hasn't been a drama.
"I'm not too concerned at all."
Lockyer said the key to Queensland taking out Origin I at Suncorp Stadium, where they've won five of their past six games, was controlling the ruck.
"It's important for us to dominate that play-the-ball area because you've got (NSW hooker) Danny Buderus who's a smart dummy-half player and they've got a good forward pack," said Lockyer, preparing for his 25th game for Queensland.
"If we can negate their go-forward and creativity around there it'll put pressure on those inexperienced guys in the halves."
- AAP
