Maroons bolter Molo has earned it: Green

The 26-year-old Molo was a surprise inclusion on the Maroons' bench for their must-win clash against NSW at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Green signed Molo at the Cowboys in 2018, three years after the forward's tackle on James Ackerman in a Queensland Cup fixture had resulted in the Sunshine Coast player's death.

Molo was suspended for nine matches with a coroner's report finding he made no attempt to apply a "legitimate" tackle on 25-year-old prop Ackerman and that the force of the shoulder charge, which did not hit the head or neck, was such that it caused death.

It was three years between NRL games for Molo, who debuted for Brisbane seven years ago and has now been given an opportunity by his former club coach to help force an Origin decider in Sydney on July 14.

"He's had his challenges Frank, a lot's been said about that," Green said.

"He's had different areas of his game to improve and has worked hard.

"Having known and coached Frank for a while, I know his strengths and weaknesses and have seen first hand how much he's applied himself to get better.

"I'm really pleased to give Frank an opportunity, now it's up to Frank to take it and give it his best."

Green has gambled on 18-year-old fullback Reece Walsh and included Andrew McCullough and Ben Hunt at No.9 and No.14 respectively after injury ruled out Harry Grant and AJ Brimson.

But the coach said the performance of his forward pack, bolstered by the return of Josh Papalii from suspension, was paramount.

Green has dropped David Fifita to the bench and moved Jai Arrow to the back row in an attempt to bolster the Maroons' defence in the early stages.

"I don't think that was where we lost the game," Green said of his backline and particularly his unchanged centre pairing of Dane Gagai and Kurt Capewell.

"We lacked a bit of control through the middle and the start, we didn't get off to a great start."

Australian Associated Press