Maroons' Josh Papalii hopes State of Origin pressure helps him shine

The Canberra Raiders enforcer will be the most experienced State of Origin combatant out there when the Maroons look to level the series against NSW at Lang Park on Sunday.

They have to overcome a record defeat from the series opener, going down 50-6 in Townsville, with Queensland coach Paul Green hoping Papalii's return will help shore up their middle.

Papalii knows he's carrying the hopes of his home state and he's planning for that pressure to bring out the best in him - especially since they've "only got one chance to do it".

He missed Origin I due to suspension, but returns to play his 19^th game on rugby league's biggest stage.

"It's obviously a little bit of pressure to come back and try to tighten that middle, but it's the pressure I love and I feel that brings out the best in my footy," Papalii told The Canberra Times.

"One person's not going to come in and change all of that. I can only bring experience and bring that passion and that hunger for playing for the jersey.

"That's what I bring, and obviously a bit of experience as well with this young squad. Hopefully that can be enough.

"It's good to be in camp with the boys again. That first game was hard to watch and just good to be back in camp and hopefully play well on Sunday."

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He'll slot in alongside Melbourne Storm prop Christian Welch, who's almost like a new addition to the Maroons pack after he was knocked out after just 12 minutes in Origin I.

Papalii had confidence the Queensland forwards as a whole could put them on the front foot in front of a typically rabid Lang Park crowd.

Especially with the guidance of Nate Myles as their forwards coach - and the 32 Origins-worth of experience he brings.

"We have a talented and mobile forward pack that can do the job. We've got the experienced Nate Myles here guiding us through," Papalii said.

"He's here as our forwards coach and it's very inspiring to have someone like Nate around the place just sharing his thoughts and where we can do better in our game.

"The boys will turn up on Sunday and hopefully get the job done."

There's been plenty of talk of another inclusion in the Queensland side - debutant Reece Walsh at fullback.

The 18-year-old has played just seven NRL games, with pundits like NSW supremo Phil Gould blasting Green's decision to pick him.

That's despite Walsh being about the same age and experience as former Origin stars like Ben Ikin and Blues coach Brad Fittler when they made their debuts.

Papalii likened Walsh to Kalyn Ponga, who will miss the game due to a groin injury, and said it was up to the rest of the Maroons side to play well to give Walsh the best chance to shine.

"He's obviously very talented. I wasn't shocked at all [by his selection]," he said.

"Seeing how Kalyn Ponga plays, he plays very similar footy. It was only a matter of time for Walsh to play State of Origin.

"He should go alright. He's there for a reason and we've just got to make sure we're playing our best footy and giving him every chance to play well."

Papalii felt there was no way Queensland could stop Blues centre and Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic, who tore the Maroons to shred in Origin I.

So the plan was to minimise his impact instead.

A tough ask given the Queensland prop felt he was currently the best player in the world.

"Arguably he probably is the best player going around at the moment," Papalii said.

"That's not taking credit away from [Nathan] Cleary or [James] Tedesco, and players like that.

"I don't think we're going to put a massive focus on how to stop 'Turbo'. It's more [we've] just got to limit his opportunities. There's only so much we can do.

"If we're not defending well then he's running well. But then you can't put too much focus on one player because they've got strike all over the place."

STATE OF ORIGIN II

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