Here it is. Kevin Walters Queensland team for State of Origin Game 1 in Brisbane. The changing of the Queensland guard is now complete.
Billy Slater is gone, Darius Boyd is finished, Greg Inglis too. They’ve played more Origins than some players in this squad have NRL matches.
Last year, Queensland blooded three rookies in Andrew McCullough, Jai Arrow and Felise Kaufusi. This year, there are three more: Joe Ofahengaue, David Fifita and Moses Mbye.
Getting done 2-1 in last year’s series would be burning at Walters, particularly as the Maroons had plenty of chances to do better. Is this the team to take advantage of a somewhat dinged-up New South Wales and right the wrongs of 2018? Let’s find out. It’ll certainly need to be a champion team, because the team of champions era is over.
» Full State of Origin team news
Let’s start with the rookies.
Moses Mbye
The Wests Tigers captain has been a steady hand in a side that has had some wild performance swings from one week to the next. Mbye won’t take the fullback spot off Kalyn Ponga, but he can play in the halves, centres or wing if required.
Mbye could even show up at hooker for a spell. He’ll pop up in support and he’ll sweep in defence and will do it well. He’s under a slight injury doubt with a groin complaint, but is expected to be fit enough to go.
David Fifita
Fifita is one of the latest graduates from the emerging Maroons squad to hit the big stage. He’s selected for a driving run and consistent defence, but it’s likely to be a taster series for him. If Fifita does get a game, don’t expect him to play big minutes – he’s come off the bench nine times out of eleven games this season.
Joe Ofahengaue
I thought Walters should have blooded Ofahengaue last season, but he’s been steady for the Broncos and now he gets his shot. Broncos fans love him and it’s obvious why – he picks up metres, then he picks up attackers. I’m really looking forward to how Ofahengaue goes on the big stage.
Matt Gillett
Gillett missed last year’s Origin series as he recovered from a serious neck injury. He took the time to get some shoulder surgery done to take care of all his ailments, and it has paid off with another Queensland selection to add to his 18 Origin matches. He’s a proven performer who’ll be a great leader for the young forwards.
Will Chambers
Chambers has plenty to prove this year after being clowned over and over again by Latrell Mitchell in 2018. He’s still one of the best centres in the world, and he’ll be amped up like never before. Can he keep focused and show what he’s capable of?
Dane Gagai
Gagai scores tries in Origin. Lots of them. He’s got nine in ten games. He also gets through a lot of unnoticed grunt work, with the joint most metres after contact in last year’s series (145, tied with player of the series, James Tedesco). No matter what you think of Gagai’s club form, when he’s in maroon, he does the job for Walters. That’s why he’s here.
Cameron Munster
Current leader of the Dally M Medal voting, Munster is in sensational form for Melbourne and has even more expectation on his shoulders this series. He’ll need to drag some of his younger teammates along to deal with the Origin ‘cauldron’… But he’s up to it, there’s no doubt.
Daly Cherry-Evans
Cherry-Evans was doing good work with an unfenced Manly side until needing surgery on a syndesmosis injury, rugby league’s most popular injury. He’ll be rustier than a farmhouse gate but he’s still plenty good enough to direct the side around the park. His ability to keep James Tedesco et al pinned to the corners will be crucial.
Ben Hunt
It has been an interesting season so far for Hunt. He’s here in a utility capacity, not unlike Michael Morgan. His time in the halves for Queensland was not what it could have been, so he’ll play a bit of time at hooker where his quick thinking can pay dividends as long as he can stop missing tackles (currently missing four each game).
Josh McGuire
McGuire was good for Queensland last year, playing on a completely crocked ankle. His defence will be called upon time and time again and he can give a good settling run to get into position. He’s also got a nice whack of ‘Origin grunt’ about him which Kevin Walters just loves.
Josh Papalii
Papalii is in sensational form as a mobile front rower for Canberra and he knows what playing Origin is all about. He’ll give great service and is a danger to New South Wales in defence and with ball in hand with swift feet and a great nose for an offload. Papalii will be one of the Maroons’ key figures in 2019.
Jai Arrow
Origin is all about getting through huge amounts of work and Arrow is the perfect selection. Making ground is fundamental to success and Arrow showed last series that he can take a hit and keep rolling. He’s third in the NRL for post-contact metres (591) and that’s gold in the Wednesday night games.
Michael Morgan
He’s bringing the Cowboys’ season back to life and he’s ready to do the same for his state. Morgan played fullback last year in Melbourne, then worked his way around the backline and he’s likely to do so this year, starting off in the centres.
Felise Kaufusi
Kaufusi continues putting in solid shifts for the Storm (31 tackles at 91 per cent to go with 101 metres). In his Origin debut last year he was caught short a couple of times by Latrell Mitchell and James Roberts, but he overcame that and was pretty good.
Dylan Napa
Napa seems to have secured a spot in the Maroons side based on loyalty more than anything. He has been good, not great for his new club the Bulldogs and he didn’t really set the world alight last Origin series either. If he’s going to be around for all three games, he really needs to provide a (legal) spark in defence to show the way for his younger teammates.
Kalyn Ponga
After making the most anticipated Origin debut for a Queenslander since Billy Slater, Ponga settles in wearing his customary number 1. Ponga was unfazed by the Origin theatre last year and he’s coming right into some great form too. Blue or maroon, you’ll be watching to see what he can do.
Corey Oates
Oates scores tries and he covers a lot of ground. Get him near the line, and anything can happen. Part of that is a chance for an error. He’s got a few in him, with his 21 in 11 games tied for the competition lead.
Tim Glasby
The eighteenth man. Glasby is a reliable performer who is a great leader of those around him. His move to Newcastle has been good – he does his job in the second row and that consistency of performance will be an anchor for the Maroons.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
I think DCE will get found out early and will struggle with the pace of the game with no match fitness coming in. Mbye is another I think goes OK at club level but didn't kick down the door coming into the side. He'll need to be possessed by an evil spirit to play well. Hunt at 9 is also a risk; has an error in him that comes at times when absolutely not needed. Otherwise, I think the team is strong and they'll play well
Insider
Roar Rookie
Choo Choo , choo Choo , outa my way , here comes the train , choo Choo , I’m right I’m right I’m right I’m right choo Choo
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Oh, stop it! Now you're sounding like an "Insider". LOL I have REAL facts as well as "Papi facts" Nat. Remember the checkmate in our Walker vs Munster match? You didn't have a re-match clause in the contract so you don't get a second shot Nat, sorry. You are just going to have to work your way up the rankings again to challenge me I'm afraid. Still, at least you didn't do a "Deontay Wilder" and keep ducking me. I'll give you that. "Let's go champ! Let's go champ!" - Shannon Briggs
Nat
Roar Guru
Hypotheticals, conspiracy theories and now the inside word. I know you love the Costanza "it's not a lie if you truly believe it" version of events but lets not pretend they are close to facts. Here's a Papi fact. Half of Souths 2019 memberships were purchased by one person. I was told this on the down low by someone in the know. Try get 30k members together in one place? Only 1/3 show up to the games so that supports my 'inside information' and makes this assertion a fact.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"Everything else is hypothetical BS." Hypothetically speaking, of course. You don't know what I know so you don't know Nat. Checkmate! LOL ;-) Go the Blues!!!
Nat
Roar Guru
Bahahaha, I guess we are moving the goal posts over to here now are we? Do you understand that following "It's a known fact" with "If" to support your argument makes 'a known fact' a hypothetical scenario - not a fact at all. I'm simply pointing out that most changes in the NSW team were not necessitated due to injury or suspension. You offer 2 conspiracy theory rants and try link Seibold and Souths. Not sure who falls for the old 'baffle with BS' you've slipped into here but it ain't me. FYI, G2, 2006. NSW have won 3 series straight and won the first game in Sydney. 52,488 Qlders show up at Suncorp. 12 people short of 'standing room capacity' at the stadium. This is a fact and the closest possible example to Qlders never losing faith in our team. Everything else is hypothetical BS.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
As loyal as cats? I take it you're a Dog lover then Nat? TB will be pleased. LOL Seibold hasn't been too loyal to James Roberts or the Rabbitohs for that matter so I guess he must be into cats if that's the case. ;-) QLD didn't show much loyalty to DCE keeping him on the outside of Origin for so long as penance for what he did to the Titans. That is until they became truly desperate and had to crawl to him when they were short on halves. And now QLDers sing his praises as if nothing had ever happened and he was always their "golden haired boy". QLDers are equally as fickle if you ask me. The ONLY reason State of Origin is successful is because QLD has been successful because it's a known fact QLDers can't take losing. If NSW had the same period of dominance QLD has enjoyed QLDers would turn off in droves and the concept would be abandoned. THAT is why we need to keep making changes to winning teams Nat, to keep you QLDers in the game. Otherwise you would all spit your dummies and run off crying and complaining like you all did during the decades of dominance by NSW over QLD prior to Origin. LOL
astro
Roar Rookie
If I'm Fittler, I'd aim a lot of NSW attack at Hunt...and by 'a lot' I mean just about all of it!
Nat
Roar Guru
Roberts, Peachy, Sims, RCG, Prior and Maloney are not unavailable. You have an injury to Turbo and JDB is out - that's all 5 rookies to cover 2 unavailable players. If not for the injury to Keary, Cleary wouldn't be there either. Truth be told, NSW fans, media and selectors are about as loyal as cats with too many vested interests. Yet one guy cops the lot if it all goes wrong.
Graham
Guest
Yeah its a problem. We won the game in the end I suppose but it was at suncorp
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Ah, that old chestnut again. So, an injury to Turbo and the unavailability of JDB and James Roberts don't count, but injuries to QLDers do? Got it. ;-) Well, QLD are down 5 proven players themselves (Smith, Slater, Cronk, Inglis and Thurston) so, in the interest of keeping the competition commercially viable and not having all of QLD change channels during Origin when they are little chance winning we thought we would throw you guys a bone with Maloney being overlooked. Go the Blues!!! LOL
Nat
Roar Guru
Qld had all sorts of injuries and suspension to consider before G1 last year so changes were inevitable during the series and after the loss. NSW won and both the incumbent are fit just not firing so Freddie sat right on the fence. Pick Cleary to appease Gus and drop Jimmy, the one proven player at that level, to appease the media.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"Almost feel sorry for..." Do you support NSW then or QLD and you prefer success to loyalty? I have argued for "pick & stick" just like QLD has a record of doing in the past. Unfortunately, changes were already forced on NSW with JDB, Turbo, Roberts and Maloney all unavailable or ruling themselves out on form. So let's look at "pick & stick" from 2018 shall we? Last year over the 3 game series NSW made 2 changes to QLD's 5! Almost 3 times the number of changes that NSW made. Now, let's look at the changes in both sides for Game 1, 2019. NSW 6 changes to QLD's 5. Considering that JDB is suspended for 2019 and James Roberts is playing Canterbury Cup that really takes them out of the running, so effectively only 4 changes to NSW to QLD's 5. I'm sure QLDers would have LOVED to see Fittler pick all o the above who have missed a combined 27 games this year over 11 rounds, Roberts (5), Turbo (9), Maloney (1), JDB (11). No, in reality NSW will make about the same number of changes as QLD but with the majority of those being enforced not seeing players get the chop like in QLD.
matth
Roar Guru
Because they haven’t done it before. You get loyalty when you win. NSW has a tendency to change rigging teams.
Pablo_eire
Roar Rookie
Jesus - who's reading too much into a short post i wonder ... touchy
Emcie
Roar Guru
Sorry mate, my reply seems to be stuck in modderation for some reason...
farkurnell
Guest
Mybe has been picked because of the problems putting Hunt at Hooker .-trying to cover DCE if he doesnt come up. I reckon they'd be better with Granville at hooker and Hunt on the bench. The bench to me is not a balanced unit.Three big units and Mybe.Maroons would be better with2 big units,Capewell n Hunt.But I'm happy for the Blues this bench evens up the home ground advantage.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Hope they don’t come down too harshly on him. More unlucky than irresponsible.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Nah nah, not having a go at your post at all mate, just trying to sum up the situation as succinctly as possible. My "headline" point was about the actual headlines the media has used, reporting it as a "caught drink driving" might be technically correct but isn't an accurate portrayal of what happened, and a lot of readers don't get far past the headline these days. I was just making the point that it's not really the same sort of "incident", he didn't deliberately break any rules and didn't make a fool of himself or the club in an alcohol fueled incident. I'm sure there'll be consequences, but I don't know if it deserves a suspension or heavy punishment from the club.
Concussed
Guest
And let’s not start talking about picking and sticking. Where has the loyalty suddenly gone to the players who have done it before. Almost feel sorry for Wallace and Hess.