League: Johns primed for Origin 3

It is league's equivalent of the irresistible force meeting the immovable object.

Arguably league's most lethal attacking weapon, Andrew Johns says he is "looking forward" to an Origin 3 showdown with the man he describes as the NRL's best defender, Tonie Carroll.

The Maroons painted a target on NSW matchwinner Johns' head after Queensland hitman Carroll overcame a calf injury and was cleared yesterday for tomorrow's clash.

Johns said he knew Carroll would be on a mission to "ruffle my feathers" for the 25th anniversary series decider at Suncorp Stadium.

And he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Without doubt he is probably the best defender in the competition, the way he hits, his technique, the way he reads it -- he is going to help Queensland no end," Johns said.

"I think we always knew he was going to come into the side if he got through [the weekend], and good luck to him.

"He's on a mission [but] if he concentrates on me then I am sure Braith [Anasta], Mini [Anthony Minichiello] or any other player will get through the hole he creates when he comes out of the [defensive] line at me.

"I'm not too worried about it."

Johns said he had received "extra motivation" to repeat his Origin 2 match-winning form thanks to recent comments by Queensland great Wally Lewis.

The Maroons legend told a Sydney magazine that the only way Queensland could stop Johns was to "knock his head off".

"If anything it is a little bit more extra motivation. We haven't done anything at training to try to protect me or anything like that," he said.

"I know what's coming, they are going to be trying to put me on my backside, ruffle my feathers and get at me, and I suppose wipe me out of the game.

"But it happens every time I run on to the field. I'm used to it now."

Johns completed just nine tackles in last month's 32-22 Origin 2 win after "hiding" in the defensive line to leave plenty of gas in attack.

But the Blues playmaker admitted there would be nowhere to hide in Origin 3.

"I try to do it every game, I try to get out on the edges, try to stay away and keep myself fresh for attack," he said.

"It's a ploy that [former Blues coach Phil] "Gus" Gould got me doing a couple of years ago to keep me fresh for the back-end of the game.

"But I don't think I'll be hiding too much on Wednesday, I think they will find me.

"If they decide to run at me, I have no qualms about that. I really enjoy the defensive side of it."

In an ominous warning, Johns said he looked forward to the challenge of backing up from his virtuoso Origin 2 performance.

"I think I have played better in other games, there was a bit of hype over the last one and everyone has sort of run with it," he said.

"I was fairly happy with it, but the challenge for me is to try to back it up."

Not even the ferocious reception expected from more than 50,000 rabid Maroons fans tomorrow night has fazed Johns.

"I love playing up there, it's a great experience to play where everyone hates you."

Meanwhile, NSW welcomed Bulldogs prop Mark O'Meley into camp yesterday as 18th man, while the Maroons named Brisbane utility Casey McGuire as their standby player.