Blues coach Lauire Daley says Robbie Farah remains a chance to play in Wednesday's Holden State of Origin decider despite ongoing concerns surrounding his recovery from a broken hand.
The NSW hooker suffered the injury playing for club side Wests Tigers against Penrith in Round 16 and had surgery on his right hand last Tuesday.
Farah trained in a limited capacity with the Blues squad over the weekend with Sharks hooker Michael Ennis on standby should the 31-year-old fail to recover in time.
Daley still holds hope that the 14-game Origin veteran can take his place in the decider, with a call on Farah's fitness likely to be made after Tuesday's captains run at Suncorp Stadium.
"We will give him every chance to play but I don't think it is [disruptive]," Daley said.
"Robbie trained more than we had thought and said the hand pulled up okay.
"I'd never write him off. He is a bloke who is passionate about playing for NSW and we'll give him every chance and see what happens.
"We will put him under more intense work [on Tuesday] and we'll have a better indication of where we are at when we see how he is with his holding and grabbing."
The final decision on Farah's inclusion can be delayed up until one hour before kick-off when both coaches must release their final team sheets.
Daley, meanwhile, is tipping aging Maroons centre Justin Hodges to deliver a big performance in his Origin swansong on Wednesday night.
Hodges made 195 metres during a sparkling display in Game One, but had a torrid time in Origin II trying to control Man of the Match Michael Jennings, who scored a try and made 139 metres at the MCG.
"Hodges is a great player and he's a guy who is well respected in our group," he said.
"We know what he can do. Every great player when they haven't performed at their best comes out in their next game and plays really well.
"Given it's his last game I'm sure he will be ready to go."
Hodges, who endured a forgettable Origin debut when playing on the wing in 2002, will partner debutant Dane Gagai on Queensland's right side of attack.
Although an admirer of the Newcastle centre, Daley says the Blues will look to target Gagai in defence with the 24-year-old having only played on the wing during his rookie year at the Broncos in 2011.
"Dane is a wonderful player but he hasn't played wing before," he said.
"He's proven he's a terrific player, but in the Origin arena he's making his debut so he will be nervous as everyone is.
"Any time you're on the wing and playing on the back foot it's hard. The attack is coming towards you and you don't have a lot of time to make the decisions.
"Everyone can be exposed in Origin when they make their debuts, but I'm sure he will handle it."
Video courtesy of nswrl.com.au
