League: Stuart names Origin III squad

Ricky Stuart. Photo / Getty Images

NSW coach Ricky Stuart's naming of a 20-man squad for next week's State of Origin series decider left more questions than it provided answers as to how the Blues will attempt to finally bring an end to Queensland's five-year reign.

Stuart said he saw no point in naming a final 17 for Wednesday week's pivotal clash, with the availability of up to ten of his players in doubt due to either injury or the inconvenient scheduling of Monday night's St George Illawarra-Manly NRL blockbuster.

While he claimed the flexibility within the squad - which contained a couple of new faces in potential debutant Keith Galloway and recalled Manly backrower Glenn Stewart - he refused to discount the possibility of players from outside that group going into camp.

The biggest injury dramas surround Kurt Gidley (hamstring) and Beau Scott (knee), while game one players' player Michael Jennings will also be given a chance to prove his recovery from ankle ligament damage suffered in round 13.

"We wanted to pick a squad this time to try and cover as many options if we have injuries and the squad there has a lot of versatility about it which is important," Stuart said.

Asked when he would settle on a final 17, Stuart said: "When I'm comfortable and I know the players are fit and I think they're going to be 100 per cent right to play.

"Just because we announce a team today doesn't mean I have to announce the 17 players - we're announcing a squad because we have got to cover ourselves in regard to tomorrow night's game and in regard to the injuries we've got at the moment."

The selection of Jennings was intriguing, with Stuart refusing to declare the Penrith flyer a certain starter even if he proved his fitness.

The Blues need to find a new left centre - the position Jennings played in game one - after Will Hopoate hurt his hamstring during an impressive Origin debut in game two in Sydney.

There had been speculation that Jarryd Hayne would move infield from the wing to fill the void with Brett Morris going onto the flank and, with all three named, Stuart was keeping everyone guessing.

"I know he's (Jennings) been working around the clock in terms of getting himself back to play ... I'm just hoping the first time we see him run he looks like he has every opportunity to be available for selection," Stuart said.

"I haven't seen him run yet ... he wanted the opportunity to come in and prove his fitness and I can't see why we shouldn't give it to him after his performance in game one."

Jennings was confident he'd be right to go.

"The amount of work I am doing now it is looking good, if I want, I could start running now, but I just have to take precautions on the ankle," Jennings said.

While the make-up of the outside backs is far from clear, the inclusion of Wests Tigers prop Galloway indicates Stuart may mix-up his successful game two plan of having a more mobile pack.

"He's been in good form, I've spoken to his club coach Tim Sheens yesterday about the way he's playing and some of his performances of late have probably been some of his best for a long time," Stuart said.

- AAP