Queensland selectors have punted heavily on the fitness of strike players Justin Hodges and Tonie Carroll to keep the State of Origin series alive next Wednesday.

And Karmichael Hunt finally got a Maroon jumper, having already represented Australia at fullback.

In a huge surprise, Hodges rang coach Mal Meninga and declared himself available after testing out his hamstring injury with a private run on Monday.

A few hours later he and Broncos teammate Carroll were in a 17-man Origin squad with a Friday deadline to prove their fitness or be replaced.

"I had a run today and it felt really good. I'm pretty sure I'll get through the game fine," Hodges told AAP.

"I rang Mal this morning to let him know I was sweet."

Hodges' availability was a huge shock to QRL selectors.

He'd been widely written off after suffering a hamstring tear in the 17-16 Origin first game loss in Sydney.

But after a series of phone calls between Meninga, Brisbane's medical staff and club coach Wayne Bennett, he was added to the squad only hours before it was officially announced.

"We were told he would have been fit to play for the Broncos against the Dragons on Friday week which is only two days after the State of Origin," said selectors chairman Des Morris.

"We were surprised he was available. He was probably the best player on the park, apart from Willie Mason, in Sydney, and if he's fit we're thrilled to have him in the side."

Carroll, who pinched cartilage in his knee in Brisbane's bruising 23-18 victory over the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday, is in the same boat as Hodges with a Friday deadline hanging over his head.

"They'll both be given until Friday morning and if they're not right, they'll be replaced," said Morris.

Selectors axed North Queensland fullback Matt Bowen and his Cowboys teammate Matt Scott and also replaced backrower David Stagg to give the pack more beef and sting after it was bashed in Sydney.

Roosters utility Chris Flannery, a proven hit man with plenty of Origin experience, earned a recall.

Bowen lost out due to uncertainty under the high ball and lack of size against a huge NSW outfit.

His replacement, Hunt, joins an exclusive club of players who represented country before state.

It also realises a boyhood dream for the 19-year-old Cook Islander of wanting to play Origin for Queensland above anything else, the reason he declined to play for New Zealand.

Morris said Hunt's courageous 50 minute Test debut, before being savagely KO'd by giant New Zealand forward Frank Pritchard, last month had greatly impressed Queensland selectors.

His understanding with Brisbane team-mate Lockyer was taken into account but Morris stressed it didn't clinch his selection.

"Queensland is blessed with fullbacks at the moment but Karmichael is the current Australian fullback and deserves his opportunity," said Morris

He said there was hardly any debate at the selection meeting today about Lockyer moving to fullback.

"Locky's been playing tremendous football at five-eighth. We haven't been able to able to notch a win in the Origin series but I hardly think it's his fault.

"We've beefed up the forwards this time which will hopeful take some of the pressure off him in this game."

Carroll was back to his punishing best against the Warriors and promoting Cowboys enforcer Carl Webb into the starting pack gives Queensland a more experienced and intimidating for the Suncorp Stadium encounter.

Manly's Steve Bell moved into the centres alongside Hodges with Brent Tate pushed onto the wing where he's played for Australia.

Melbourne Storm sensation Greg Inglis, who grabbed two tries on debut in Sydney, has been picked on the wing but could easily end up in the centres if Hodges is ruled out.

Inglis, tagged league's next big thing, was again dynamic at fullback against the Roosters at the weekend.

Queensland needs to get the ball in his hands as much as possible because he is one player capable of creating havoc with his pace, sidestep and massive stride.

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