Queensland have added a further five players to their squad for next month’s State of Origin series.
South Sydney trio Jaydn Su’A, Corey Allan and Dane Gagai have been selected, along with Canberra Raiders forwards Dunamis Lui and Josh Papalii, after their respective teams were eliminated from the NRL finals.
Allan won’t be available for the opening game of the series after accepting a one-match suspension for a shoulder charge in the preliminary final loss to Penrith.
The Maroons squad will be finalised on Sunday evening after the NRL grand final between the Panthers and Melbourne.
Of the 21 players currently selected by new coach Wayne Bennett, 14 are yet to make their Origin debuts.
The players will enter camp on the Gold Coast this Sunday to prepare for the series opener at the Adelaide Oval on November 4.
Queensland State of Origin squad
Corey Allan, Jai Arrow, AJ Brimson, Patrick Carrigan, Daly Cherry-Evans, Xavier Coates, Lindsay Collins, Moeaki Fotuaika, Jake Friend, Dane Gagai, Harry Grant, Coen Hess, Valentine Holmes, Ben Hunt, Hymel Hunt, Josh Kerr, Edrick Lee, Dunamis Lui, Josh Papalii, Phillip Sami, Jaydn Su’A, (six more to be named)
Graham White
Guest
I think its useful defensively to have the fastest guy on the field. Carr is a pretty big asset for the NSW for this reason despite his low tackle efficiency. He's good under the high ball too. Bennet might want to neutralize carr with coates. Edrick Lee, Branko Lee and Brimson are gun defenders while DCE are very good defensively for halves. Also we have papali who is the best defensive prop in the game. Wonder if bennett will go for a "if they don't score we win" mentality like 1995
Nico
Roar Rookie
True, forgot about Branko. Either way with Munster, Gagai, Brimson and Allan they should have some points in them
BrianK
Roar Rookie
I'd be surprised to see Coates on the wing. Talented but a long way to go...
fr4d
Guest
I reckon Friend will be the 9
Graham White
Guest
better than competitive I'm guessing we'll see Allan on the wing and Brimson at the back though with Branko Lee from the storm at center
Nico
Roar Rookie
So at this stage the side could shape up as: 1. Allen 2. Coates/Holmes (from game 2) 3. Brimson 4. Gagai 5. Lee 6. Munster 7. DCE 8. Papalii 9. Grant 10. Welch 11. Kaufusi 12. Su'A 13. Arrow 14. Hunt 15. Fotuaika 16. Tino 17. Carrigan Should be more than at least competitive
Rellum
Roar Guru
That was a couple of years ago and Allen joined a long line of players to get picked for Australia from the mighty Souths, the real Souths Brisbane Magpies
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Mal Meninga picked Cory Allan for the PMs XIII against the Kumals last year, he was yet to play his first NRL game, he's shown what a talent he is for Souths and is a deserved SOO pick. Well done to SuA as well, who has had a stand out year, some of his tackles have been up there with the best of the best. Gagai was always a safe bet, he was probably Souths' most consistent player this year and their best player in the prelim final against Panthers.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Big Papa must be mentoring Lui and bringing him to higher honours. Perfect example of a leader. No surprise to see Gags and Su’A but I had a sneaky suspicion ol’ coach would bring Allan in. He has started to show the NRL community what the hype was about as a young fella so good on him. 6 more from the 2 GF teams. Munster, Kaufusi, Welsh pick themselves. High probability of Capewell. Potentially Lee, can’t hurt to have him in the 27. And that last spot goes to … have to be young Tino? Let’s see if coach thinks that way. I wonder if Mal’s phone is working to young Smithy?
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Gotta do this each time, but..... 6 left to pick: Capewell, Brenko, Munster, Welch, Kaufusi, Timo. No space for any surprise returns it seems. And you can apparently now defer your one-match suspensions until after the GF?