Captain Ibis
Squad Member
QUEENSLAND MAROONS STATE OF ORIGIN SQUAD FOR GAME 1
1. Reece Walsh
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (C)
8. Thomas Flegler
9. Ben Hunt
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Tom Gilbert
12. David Fifita
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Harry Grant
15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Jai Arrow
18. Tom Dearden
19. Christian Welch
Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga, centre Dane Gagai and veteran backrower Kurt Capewell were the big omissions as Billy Slater confirmed his Queensland State of Origin squad for Game 1.
Incumbent No.1 and Gagai were reportedly set to be selected before the Knights’ horror loss to Cronulla on Saturday. Instead, in-form Brisbane young gun Reece Walsh will start at fullback with Dolphins star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow replacing Gagai in the centres.
The omission of Capewell — who was under an injury cloud with a shoulder problem — means a Origin recall for hulking Gold Coast backrower David Fifita, who will start for the Maroons after being overlooked for last year’s series. Dolphins’ Tom Gilbert also earns a start on the edge with Felise Kaufusi ruled out with suspension.
Ponga’s time spent sidelined — and a bizarre brain fade against Cronulla — was said to have an influence in Slater’s decision while Gagai’s defence was put under the spotlight by Queensland coaching staff.
Ponga featured in all three games last year and delivered a man of the match performance in last year’s series decider.
Walsh will now make a long-awaited Origin debut after he was ruled out with a hamstring tear during the captain’s run two years ago.
Meanwhile, Jai Arrow and Thomas Flegler have earned Maroons recalls for Origin I as Queensland sweat on the availability of forwards Kaufusi and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Fa’asuamaleaui remains hopeful of avoiding a suspension after two incidents in the Titans’ loss to the Bulldogs, but Kaufusi faces an uphill battle after his swinging arm to the head of Christian Welch — who has been named as Queensland’s 19th man.
Kaufusi will miss the series opener after being charged with a grade two careless high tackle by the match review committee on Christian Welch.
1. Reece Walsh
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (C)
8. Thomas Flegler
9. Ben Hunt
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Tom Gilbert
12. David Fifita
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Harry Grant
15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Jai Arrow
18. Tom Dearden
19. Christian Welch
Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga, centre Dane Gagai and veteran backrower Kurt Capewell were the big omissions as Billy Slater confirmed his Queensland State of Origin squad for Game 1.
Incumbent No.1 and Gagai were reportedly set to be selected before the Knights’ horror loss to Cronulla on Saturday. Instead, in-form Brisbane young gun Reece Walsh will start at fullback with Dolphins star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow replacing Gagai in the centres.
The omission of Capewell — who was under an injury cloud with a shoulder problem — means a Origin recall for hulking Gold Coast backrower David Fifita, who will start for the Maroons after being overlooked for last year’s series. Dolphins’ Tom Gilbert also earns a start on the edge with Felise Kaufusi ruled out with suspension.
Ponga’s time spent sidelined — and a bizarre brain fade against Cronulla — was said to have an influence in Slater’s decision while Gagai’s defence was put under the spotlight by Queensland coaching staff.
Ponga featured in all three games last year and delivered a man of the match performance in last year’s series decider.
Walsh will now make a long-awaited Origin debut after he was ruled out with a hamstring tear during the captain’s run two years ago.
Meanwhile, Jai Arrow and Thomas Flegler have earned Maroons recalls for Origin I as Queensland sweat on the availability of forwards Kaufusi and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Fa’asuamaleaui remains hopeful of avoiding a suspension after two incidents in the Titans’ loss to the Bulldogs, but Kaufusi faces an uphill battle after his swinging arm to the head of Christian Welch — who has been named as Queensland’s 19th man.
Kaufusi will miss the series opener after being charged with a grade two careless high tackle by the match review committee on Christian Welch.
