St George Illawarra could have up to four players involved in the Brisbane finale on July 4, after Morris was brought into the starting side last night in place of under-siege Newcastle winger Akuila Uate.

Utility Beau Scott was also ushered into the Blues’ 19-man squad, along with Manly enforcer Tony Williams.

Both loom as possible replacements for injured second-rower Glenn Stewart, who will be given until the end of the week to recover from a medial ligament tear.

Ben Creagh and Trent Merrin have retained their spots on the bench.

Brett’s selection comes amid growing criticism over Uate’s Origin form, particularly his inability to handle the high ball from Queensland.

‘‘Slippery’’ Morris was elated when told of Brett’s admission into the side, and said it partly made up for his lack of representative appearances this year.

‘‘I’ve got to say, I think Brett should have been in the Australian side for the Anzac Test a couple of months ago,’’ said Steve, referring to Brett’s Australian snubbing when selectors opted for out-of-form Darius Boyd.

‘‘They didn’t pick that side on form, they picked it on reputation. Deep down, I think Brett has been disappointed [with the lack of rep games]. He’s a professional footballer and he takes it very seriously, but I think justice has been done.

‘‘He totally deserves everything he gets, Brett. He’s really earned his way into the Blues squad and I think he’ll do a fine job in the decider.’’

Blues coach Ricky Stuart insisted the decision to axe Uate from the NSW squad was a painstaking one, but the choice of his replacement was always a no-brainer.

"It is something I've had to mull over for a number of days and nights," Stuart said.

"I just believe that there is an opportunity there to strengthen that edge defensively but he [Uate] won't be gone for too long."

Remarkably, the deciding game in Brisbane will mark the first occasion that Brett and Josh Morris have played an Origin game together.

The twins have nine Blues appearances between them - Josh with four and Brett with five - and have played together for Australia, but are yet to share the Origin stage.

Josh played a part in games one and two this year, while injury prevented Brett from being named 18th man in Melbourne.

He was picked for the extended squad in Sydney.

"They are both very good players," Stuart said.

"Brett is probably a little bit more experienced [than Uate], he has got a very good catch and overall I think he is a great player.

"He has been there before, he knows how to find the tryline and has shown some exceptional ability this year to go back to fullback. He is a strong runner of the footy and I like how he reads his defence."

Uate shared the same wing as Josh Morris for the Blues in games one and two, however Stuart is yet to clarify whether Brett will start alongside his brother.

For Steve Morris, the elevation of Brett into the Blues side made up his mind as to whether to travel to Brisbane for the decider.

"I'll have to mortgage the house to get a ticket," he joked.

"I was in Paris the last time they played together for a Test match.

"That's probably the last time they played together, other than the Country games. I was sort of tossing up whether I was going to go up to Brisbane, but I'll definitely go now."

Meanwhile, Illawarra Cutters players Michael Lett, David Gower, Cameron King and Jack Stockwell have been selected in a 20-man NSW Cup squad to play Queensland Residents in the Origin III curtain-raiser at Suncorp Stadium.