SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 23: Greg Inglis walks onto the field during the Queensland Maroons State of Origin captain's run at ANZ Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Queensland skipper Greg Inglis has declared Sunday's series-defining State of Origin clash with NSW as the biggest of his momentous Maroons career.

Following the retirements of Queensland greats Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, the Maroons have fielded a young new-look side this year.

And ahead of his 32nd Origin appearance, the 31-year old says that Queensland's inexperience magnifies the importance of his role.

“Personally this is probably my biggest game I will ever play in the Queensland jersey,” Inglis told reporters.

“Going in as captain and 1-0 down, it’s challenging. I just need my team to understand how important this game is.”

Storm star Billy Slater will return to the side after missing game one with a hamstring injury, and Inglis said it would pay dividends for the Maroons.

“We lost more than 100 games of experience in game one. Bill will help enormously,” Inglis said.

“You saw last year when they made a massive mistake on Queensland’s behalf in game one but he came back in game two and you saw the difference he made.

“Bill is an exceptional player; one of a kind and I don’t think you will see another player like Bill in the next 10 years or so.”

Queensland is sweating on the fitness of Roosters prop Dylan Napa, who is trying to overcome an ankle injury, with Storm forward Tim Glasby waiting in the wings as his replacement.

And while Ingles backed Napa in to get up for Sunday's game, he admitted that the prop would need to be reassessed after the team's flight to Sydney.

“(Queensland coach Kevin Walters) Kevvie can give him until the last minute at the captain’s run but … we will see how we go after the flight, see if it swells or something like that,” he said.

 

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