Sam Thaiday has backed fellow big man Matt Scott to join him in battle for Origin II in what he believes will be a game-deciding match-up of the big men.
Scott has been nursing troublesome back and knee during Queensland's training camp and took no part in Friday's session.
The workman-like prop was pivotal in the Maroons narrow Game One victory, leading their forward pack with 152 metres from 53 minutes. He was restricted to just 44 minutes in the Cowboys' win over the Eels last Monday night.
The fitness of Scott has been a growing concern for the Maroons since they arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday, however Thaiday is adamant the 29-year-old will be out there to help try and clinch the series in five days time.
"He should be fine, the doctor was a little bit concerned when he had a little bit of fluid on his knee yesterday from a tag mark that he had from the first (Origin) game," Thaiday said.
"He rested up yesterday and he'll rest up today as well which will be good for his knee and his back.
"He will be right to go tomorrow and right for our last training session on Tuesday."
The Maroons will enjoy a day off on Saturday before ramping up preparations for Game Two.
When asked where the contest will be one and lost Thaiday had little doubt.
"I think it will be that forwards battle again, in these big games they always are what wins the game or wins those momentum swings," he said.
"NSW get Paul Gallen back so that will bolster them big time. We will have to be good but even better than we were in that first game if we want to get the upper hand.
"I'm sure Paul Gallen is going to want to come out and prove a point as well. Our starting forward pack are really going to have to be on our game and stop them going forward."
Big Sam celebrated a milestone of his own with Maroons teammates on Friday when he turned the ripe old age of 30.
While such an occasion is usually cause for robust celebration, it was heralded in with an understandably tame manner in Origin camp.
"Most people would be waking up with a hangover this morning but I'm here getting prepared," Thaiday said.
"I'm having a joint 30th with my wife because she had hers in hospital having our second child, so once State of Origin is over we will plan a little something then."
Video courtesy Broncos.com.au
