Josh Papalii Origin return to pack punch to Maroons pack, Jack Wighton named in Blues squad

The Queensland prop felt the return of Canberra Raiders enforcer Josh Papalii would help stiffen up the Maroons middle defensively.

Papalii was expected to be named on Monday morning in the Queensland team for State of Origin II at Lang Park on Sunday.

He missed the series opener, where NSW thrashed the Maroons 50-6, due to a three-game suspension.

Papalii's Raiders teammate Jack Wighton retained his spot in the squad, having worn the No.14 jersey in Origin I.

NSW coach Brad Fittler has brought Angus Crichton and Dale Finucane into the squad to cover the injured Jake Trbojevic (hip).

Welch lasted just 12 minutes of Origin I in Townsville before a head knock ended his game.

He was not only looking forward to playing a bigger role in trying to keep the series alive, but also playing alongside Papalii.

It will be Papalii's 19^th Origin.

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"We really missed him in game one. He's such an experienced player and offers so much to our team," Welch said on Channel Nine's The Sunday Footy Show.

"We missed him and looking forward to hopefully getting him back in. He'll offer plenty.

"We really need to do a better job through the middle, especially defensively, so I think Paps will offer that."

Queensland great Sam Thaiday was also buoyed by a Papalii return.

But he said the Maroons also needed to fix up their attitude after being completely outplayed in the opener.

He felt they were complacent because the first game was in Townsville.

"He's going to be a fantastic inclusion into that team," Thaiday said.

"I thought he's played really well the past couple of weeks for Canberra. There's going to be a few changes there [when the team's announced].

"The biggest change that Queensland need is an attitude change ... this is literally do or die."

STATE OF ORIGIN II

Sunday: Queensland Maroons v NSW Blues at Lang Park, 7.50pm.

Blues squad: Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne Storm), Nathan Cleary (vc) (Penrith Panthers), Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters), Dale Finucane (Melbourne Storm), Campbell Graham (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos), Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers), Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels), Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights), Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons), James Tedesco (c) (Sydney Roosters), Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers), Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders), Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers).