Maroons coach Billy Slater confirmed Cameron Munster and Murray Taulagi have been ruled out of Origin III after returning positive PCR tests.
Both players returned positive COVID-19 tests on Friday but had to conduct PCR tests to confirm their diagnosis and had been isolating from their Maroons teammates as they awaited the results.
They came back positive on Saturday morning.
The Brisbane Broncos’ Corey Oates and Cowboys playmaker Tom Dearden will take their place in the squad.
While Slater refused to confirm how each player will be used, it’s understood Oates will slide in as Taulagi’s replacement, while Dearden may play off the bench, with Ben Hunt in line to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.
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The Cowboys star was named in Slater’s extended squad for Game One in Sydney but didn’t play in the Maroons’ first up victory.