Queensland winger Selwyn Cobbo was knocked out in his last State of Origin series decider but his mentor Steve Renouf has backed him to deliver a knockout performance at Suncorp Stadium.
Renouf, who played 11 Origin games for the Maroons, is also excited about what centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow can do on Wednesday night.
Cobbo, 22, was concussed early in the 2022 decider at Suncorp Stadium. The Brisbane outside back was dynamic off the bench in the 38-10 win game one this year when he slotted in at centre.
He was carrying niggles and missed the 38-18 loss in game two but Renouf said coach Billy Slater was right to bring him back for the Suncorp showdown, albeit on the wing.
"We saw what he did in the first game" Renouf said.
"He stepped out of the second game for different reasons.
"We all know what Selwyn Cobbo can do. He can play anywhere, even though I prefer him in the centres. He is a big body, he is smart and he knows what he is doing."
Renouf is regarded as one of the great centres of the modern era but even he is in awe of the transition Dolphins fullback Tabuai-Fidow has made to playing centre in the Origin arena.
Tabuai-Fidow has nine tries in just six Origin games and has slotted in at left centre seamlessly.
"He is just elegant. You watch the way he runs and it is amazing. He just glides," Renouf said.
"Hammer is one of those players where you could put a No.6 on his back and he would do the job. He is one of those players who just enjoys his rugby league and you can see that in his face. Like Selwyn, he has always got a smile on his face."
Renouf said he had no doubts that the Maroons would prevail.
"I think it will be a very different game," Renouf said.
"They will be without Latrell (Mitchell) and will lose his intimidation factor which he carries in every game.
"You won't see a performance like what we got (from Queensland) in Melbourne. It will be a total turnaround up here.
"They have got to take that (MCG thrashing) personally and they will. Whether they like it or not they did get belted in the middle in defence and attack.
"It was all there to be seen and I can tell you now the players will take that personally."
Canberra Times
