Opinion
When State of Origin teams are announced, the squads are always met with a hint of controversy, mystery and guile as coaches try to pull the wool over each other’s eyes.
Of course, this year is no different, with both squads now released, and the preliminary match-day 17s named unusually early.
Queensland have a great mix of old and young, new and experienced players and will be a big chance to take back the trophy this year. Let’s see how they shape up.
Why?
On his night, Ponga is electric. Creating magic on his own and also stirring up spells for his teammates, it only takes one touch for Ponga to change a game. At club level he struggles at times to juggle the roles of leader and creator, but surrounded by stars in the Maroon jumper he’ll have the freedom to focus on his own game.
Why not?
Ponga has struggled at times this season under the weight of expectation at the Knights, and a few lacklustre performances at the back along with some trouble under the high ball means he’ll get peppered by Nathan Cleary and company all night. It could be a long series.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Why?
Billy Slater couldn’t leave this kid out. Cobbo has lit the NRL on fire this year, drawing comparisons to the early days of Queensland star Greg Inglis, and his express speed out wide could be hard to handle.
Why not?
Everyone needs to make their debut sometime, but having a choice of either Daniel Tupou or Brian To’o as your opposite number isn’t a choice I’d inflict on anyone. Cobbo is flying high now but could be brought back to earth very quickly on the big stage.
Why?
Not only is this guy a great addition at centre, Holmes brings depth to the squad due to his versatility playing anywhere in the back five as needed. His strike rate at Origin level is terrific, with nine tries in ten games. He’ll be a handful once again.
Why not?
Holmes has only moved into the centres full time this year, after spending most of his time at fullback and on the wing, including a stint at the back during last year’s 50-6 drubbing in Townsville. Defensively he’s been a liability this year, something the loaded NSW attack will be hoping to exploit.
Why?
Gagai always steps it up a level when he puts on a Maroon jumper. Even during his darkest years at the Knights he managed to bag the Wally Lewis Medal for Origin’s Player of the Series. He’ll have the fire in his eyes yet again.
Why not?
It feels as though it’s almost a lazy selection from the Maroons as it doesn’t seem to matter whether Gagai is in lousy form or not, he just automatically gets a jumper. A lack of quality depth for Queensland in the centre ranks is a handy leg-up for Gagai.
Why?
Coates’ tremendous ability both in the air and on the ground makes him a no brainer for the Origin arena. With his best years still ahead of him, expect Coates to go down as one of the best Queensland wingers ever. It is hard to believe he hasn’t even played 50 NRL games.
Why not?
Depending on who he goes up against on the wing, he’ll be dealing with two very different beasts. An aerial battle with Daniel Tupou will be something to behold, while trying to keep up with Brian To’o’s physicality will be a challenge all on its own.
Why?
A tough competitor with an edge. Munster’s mentality has him more than ready for Origin every year. A slippery customer with the ball in hand as well as an elite playmaker, the (currently) blonde bombshell will cause headaches for the Blues.
Why not?
A bit of performance anxiety has started to creep into the Melbourne half’s game these past few weeks as his club side struggles with some star players absent. Having to lead the way but coming up short has dented his mojo and he’ll need to recapture that to be effective next week.
Why?
A master at the helm of this ship, captain Cherry-Evans has had to wait in the wings for quite some time to be the walk-up start nowadays at seven for Queensland. Having watched his mentors soak up glory for years while he floundered on the Origin bench or outside of selection, he’ll be hungry to make amends after last year’s demolition under his watch.
Why not?
Cherry-Evans is an interesting character in the fact that he’s not well versed within his squad, being viewed as a bit of an outsider due to his calm, well spoken demeanour. Not being ‘one of the boys’ as his predecessors were could prove to be one of his biggest challenges to get everyone on the same page and cause an upset similar to 2020.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Why?
Fa’asuamaleaui’s stature alone calls for Origin selection. His duels with Payne Haas in the bubbling cauldron that is the middle of an Origin battle are reason enough to tune into this one. Expect a big effort from this hulk of a human.
Why not?
A hot head is only valuable in Origin if it remains under control. The Blues forwards know Fa’asuamaleaui is a feisty character and they’ll be doing everything they can to get under his skin.
Why?
Current leader on the Dally M leaderboard and hard to go past as starting hooker, Ben Hunt has more or less nailed down his spot after a strong start to the year. He scored a double in a match-winning performance during the final game of last year’s campaign to help the Maroons avoid a clean sweep.
Why not?
The day teams were announced, Billy Slater had already started playing mind games with the NRL 360 panel. He claimed Harry Grant had been struck down with the mystery flu that seems to afflict every Queensland player every year. Don’t be surprised if a late switch pushes Hunt to the bench.
Why?
A no-nonsense cult hero, Papalii backs down to no one. A powerful ball runner and a quiet leader in the Queensland pack, Papalii thrives on the big stage and has become a staple in the Queensland squad.
Why not?
Being a devout Christian, I’m sure Papalii would be familiar with the Bible story of Samson, a man who cut off his hair and lost all his strength. I just can’t forgive him for trimming off his trademark mullet. It was beautiful.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Why?
A versatile edge forward, Capewell made his Origin debut in the centres back in 2020. After a golden run with the Panthers, making two grand finals, and now leading the way with a resurgent Broncos, Capewell will be up for the challenge come next Wednesday no matter where he lines up.
Why not?
Perhaps benefiting from Jai Arrow’s COVID protocol bungle last year, he’ll have to turn in a solid performance in Game 1 to keep his spot.
Why?
Another selection that speaks for itself, Kaufusi brings hard running and control in the middle, and being part of a pack full of stars at club level means he knows how to play his role. He hasn’t missed a game since his Origin debut in 2018.
Why not?
Being part of a successful club squad means he can just focus on playing his role, but some would argue his forward pack at club level, jammed full of international stars, is even stronger than this Queensland pack. They need a leader and if Kaufusi can’t step up into the same mould as a Gorden Tallis, the Blues edge forwards will cut the Maroons up all series.
Why?
Versatility galore here. Cotter covers every forward position, having played prop, hooker and lock this year for Todd Payten’s resurgent Cowboys in 2022. A young, tough tackling machine, Cotter will relish the chance to play on the big stage, a position he has certainly earned.
Why not?
A lack of size won’t work in his favour, especially if he has to move in closer to the middle of the field in the case of injury in the Queensland pack. The Blues squad will be out for fresh blood and Cotter is the perfect target.
Why?
It speaks volumes of the Queensland hooker ranks when this guy can’t get a starting gig. He’ll be feeling slighted and ready to roll when he gets his chance. It is going to be interesting to see how they rotate Grant into the fray. He is another bloke who feels like he’s been around forever but it’s crazy to think he hasn’t played 50 NRL games yet.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Why not?
Is the mystery flu afflicting Harry Grant this year fact or fiction? Sometimes you have to question whether these mind games become a distraction from the task at hand. He’s not quite as versatile as an Origin 14 in today’s game.
Why?
The jaw. Collins is a metre eater with a great record this year in an up and down Roosters’ team. He does his job up front and will be ready for the challenge when his name is called midway through the first half.
Why not?
He’s a step below the quality of the starting props in this team and won’t bring the same punch as his counterparts when he gets into the game. He generates no second-phase play. He’s only recorded three offloads in five years with the Roosters.
Why?
Carrigan brings a bit of everything off the bench for the Maroons. He tackled and ran the ball with the desperate enthusiasm of a bloke who was on the verge of selection last year, before a cruel knee injury dashed his chances. A young leader at the Broncos already, he’s finally stepping up to a place we should see him for years to come.
Why not?
As always, debutants get a working over at Origin level, and the nerves from sitting on the bench for the first 20-25 minutes can make the initiation to Origin even more terrifying. Once he comes onto the field the Blues forwards will be prowling for a chance to belt him.
Why?
Another Cowboy that has benefitted from their outstanding start to the year, Nanai brings a youthful enthusiasm to the Queensland squad. Ten tries in 12 games is an outstanding record for any player, let alone a 19-year-old second rower. I am excited to watch this guy turn into a Queensland powerhouse in years to come.
Why not?
Well, the low-hanging fruit here is to say he was born in New Zealand, but a team list of Queenslanders who aren’t from Queensland is a whole other article on its own. He’s only played 16 NRL games, and the Origin arena is no place for a young, fresh-faced middle forward.
So there we have it. Both teams have been covered and an epic series awaits yet again. Queensland are definitely outsiders and will need another effort similar to their 2020 upset to take back the shield.
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