Origin update

Queensland's Origin preparations continued to sail along today while New South Wales crammed in an unscheduled training session to accommodate late inclusion Brett Finch. The Maroons went for a team walk as the nerves began to build for tonight's opening State of Origin clash at Telstra Stadium.

They weren't commenting on the Blues' halfback dramas which saw Finch rushed into camp last night for injured halfback Craig Gower after Andrew Johns rejected an S-O-S from NSW coach Graham Murray. Bookmakers reacted by moving Queensland, who will field seven rookies, into favouritism at a ground where they are yet to win in 10 attempts.

The visitors have called up Sydney Roosters utility Chris Flannery into their squad as 18th man as a precautionary measure, though Maroons officials say none of the 17 players named in the squad are in any doubt.