State of Origin III selection RECAP: Concern in Blues camp as recalled Best sent for scans; Maroons make three changes, Ponga on bench

And that concludes our live coverage of State of Origin III selection news.

Check back throughout the day to hear more in-depth coverage of both coaches pressers.

Origin III is on July 17.

Billy said he was excited about the prospect of having both Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh in the same team, but Queensland need to "earn the right" for them to come into the game together.

Slater suggested he didn't think earlier in the series he was a chance to have them both available to him for selection.

And that wraps up his selection presser.

Billy suggested said Bradman Best is just as much of a threat as Latrell Mitchell.

"Quality goes out, quality goes in. Bradman Best is more dangerous in some areas, less in others. We've got some outs, we've got some ins," he said.

"Forced changes are a big talking point, but when you're in the grind of coaching, you look at those players picked and you prepare to play against them."

The Blues have a horrible record going to Suncorp Stadium, but Billy is mindful his side's performance dictate the atmosphere.

"This is the home of State of Origin. This is where it was born, but it's made special by the performances of this footy team. You can't have one without the other.

"We can't put in the same performance we did in game two, or the atmosphere won't be the same in Suncorp Stadium."

The cancellation of the Maroons' usual open media session on Tuesday is considered a big deal.

Billy said it was a decision due to time constraints on Monday afternoon and Tuesday, and said access would be granted at some point during the week while in camp at Sanctuary Cove.

"I feel our access is great. There's some circumstances surrounding players coming into camp at different stages ... but we're doing everything possible to get the voices of our players out."

Billy suggested Kalyn Ponga's selection a bit of a no-brainer.

He praised his performance against the Raiders on Sunday, and said if he wasn't on the field the Knights wouldn't have won.

Billy said the decision to put Val Holmes and Selwyn Cobbo on the wing with Dane Gagai in the centres was his best option.

"The two wingers from game one and two aren't in the team. We know what Val Holmes can bring as a centre, but also as a winger. He's a world-class winger and he'll fill that role well."

Slater said Harry Grant will be good to go for game three, but feels Reed Mahoney "really deserves" the chance.

The Bulldogs hooker has been named among the reserves.

"What's happening at the Bulldogs is no fluke ... he's a wonderful player."

Apparently both Billy and Mahoney were both born in the same hospital. The more you know.

Billy said David Fifita was maybe a little bit unlucky to not be picked for game three, as was Jaydn Su'A. He also revealed Su'A will also have scans today to an unknown injury.

Slater praised Kalyn Ponga's return for the Knights yesterday, which earned him a Maroons recall.

Injury has kept the former Maroons No.1 out of the side since the end of 2022.

"It was great to see him back on the field yesterday, and he hadn't skipped a beat."

"He's done a lot of physical work to get himself back in top condition."

Billy Slater said he was fortunate to have Dane Gagai and Selwyn Cobbo available to him to giver the injured Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi.

"We all know how important this team is to Dane Gagai ... he's playing wonderful footy right now," he said.

"Really excited to see him back in a Maroons jersey."