Maroons gets good news for decider

Queensland coach Billy Slater has been saved from making at least one forced change for the third and deciding State of Origin clash after Maroons flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was cleared of a significant shoulder injury.

Tabuai-Fidow was forced from the field in the opening half of Wednesday’s loss to NSW after hurting his shoulder.

But he returned in the second half to score a try in an effort hailed as “brave” by Slater who thought the star centre had suffered an AC joint injury.

He was right, but scans revealed only a minor injury and Tabuai-Fidow will now be put on ice to ensure he’s ready to go for the Suncorp decider against NSW on July 17.

Tabuai-Fidow won’t play for the Dolphins against the Dragons on Sunday but the club’s head of performance, Jeremy Hickmans, confirmed the injury wouldn’t hold the flyer back from playing for the Maroons in just more than a fortnight’s time.

“The reality is that if we did not have a bye next week he would be right to go for the Dolphins,” Hickmans said.

“Because of the third Origin camp, he is unlikely to play for us against the Rabbitohs on July 11.

“The injury looks pretty good at the moment and should not cause him any trouble in his next game, which will most likely be for Queensland.”

There have been calls for Slater to make significant changes to the team that was humbled 38-18 in Melbourne after conceding six first-half tries.

But the Maroons coach was reluctant to declare his hand in the aftermath.

“I haven’t even thought of that. We’re still Queenslanders,” Slater said in a statement that bewildered plenty.