Queensland star Valentine Holmes looks set to remain on the State of Origin sidelines next week as selector Darren Lockyer pledged loyalty to the motley crew who sprung an 18-14 series stunner over NSW on Wednesday night.
While Blues coach Brad Fittler surveys the wreckage of the Adelaide flop and mulls the prospect of significant changes, Wayne Bennett's new look Maroons will have the luxury of staying put.
Holmes, the $1m Cowboys man, was suspended for Game One because of a shoulder charge but is available to return in Game Two.
"Valentine Holmes is available next week - but no, if you don't have any injuries, you don't change," Lockyer said on Channel Nine's coverage.
"You just keep it as it is because that was a great performance and they'll be rewarded with another jersey."
Winger Phillip Sami would seem the most vulnerable after a mixed performance as fullback AJ Brimson, winger Xavier Coates and centres Dane Gagai and Kurt Capewell outplayed their more decorated NSW rivals.
Maroons great Sam Thaiday lauded senior player Gagai's impact on a inexperienced outside back division.
"That battle on Queensland's right hand side against Jack Wighton, who was the Dally M Player of the Year, so he's a pretty handy player... Dane didn't make him look like a bum but showed him up a few times," Thaiday said on Nine's TODAY.
"The try he set up for Xavier Coates was an amazing try.
"He was just outstanding defensively as well."
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