League: Meninga sticking to his players

ueensland coach Mal Meninga (left). Photo / Getty Images

Queensland coach Mal Meninga says there's no reason not to show faith in his players for next Wednesday's State of Origin decider against NSW at Suncorp Stadium.

Rival Ricky Stuart, who had to sweat out last night's NRL clash between Manly and St George Illawarra, in which seven of his players were involved, named a squad of 20 players, including calling in Manly forward Glenn Stewart and Wests Tigers prop Keith Galloway.

There has been speculation that Queensland could recall Newcastle forward Neville Costigan to negate Blues enforcer Paul Gallen and that selector Allan Smith went to Newcastle on Sunday to watch him play against the Roosters.

Unfortunately, Costigan injured his knee in the opening minutes of the game.

Speaking after consulting Maroons selectors Des Morris, Gene Miles and Smith, Meninga said it was unlikely there would be any changes to his 17-man line-up apart from Brisbane star Justin Hodges, who is likely to be recalled to the centres after recovering from injury.

"There's no reason to be disloyal to them, we're a loyal bunch and they did the job in game one," said Meninga.

"There's no reason to panic."

Meninga said Sea Eagles workhorse Stewart's inclusion in the Blues extended squad didn't surprise him.

"I really rate Glenn Stewart, I think he's a great player," he said.

"If I was picking the NSW side, he'd be one of the first players I'd pick."

Warriors halfback Brett Seymour is expected to be out of action for up to four weeks after breaking a bone in his right hand in Sunday's 16th-round NRL clash against Melbourne in Auckland.

The match against the Storm was Seymour's first after being sidelined for four weeks with a cheekbone fracture following the Vodafone Warriors' 12-6 win against South Sydney on May 22.

The Warriors have a bye this weekend followed by consecutive home games against Gold Coast (July 8) and Canterbury-Bankstown (July 15).

Seymour could be available again for the 20th-round clash against South Sydney on July 24.

- AAP and NZPA