Billy Slater’s bold selection calls to include in-form tyros Reece Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow proved decisive in Queensland’s brave and extraordinary 26-18 win over NSW in State of Origin I.
Questions were raised by pundits in NSW about the Maroons throwing Origin loyalty out the window by dropping incumbent fullback Kalyn Ponga and veteran stalwart Dane Gagai to include the youngsters.
Tabuai-Fidow’s brilliance in a two-try display was crucial in winning the game while Walsh was superb under the high ball and created a try for winger Selwyn Cobbo with a no-look catch-and-pass.
“We all love watching Reece Walsh pull the trigger on a pass, or show blistering speed but he’s building a foundation to his game that’s going to hold him in good stead for a long period of time and that’s what I’ve seen and that’s what I’ve liked.
“They’re really tough decision to make. This is not a tough position to be in. I’ve got a great great relationship with Gag. I make sure that I make that phone call as soon as that decision is made to. They’re not easy decisions to make, but they’re made for the right reasons.”
Slater had seen enough of Tabuai-Fidow’s brilliance at fullback for the Dolphins to convince him he could slot seamlessly into the centres. He did that and more.
Maroons coach Billy Slater walks out onto the field during game one of the 2023 State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 31, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Walsh has been brilliant for Brisbane. He was picked on form and he delivered.The duo’s defensive resolve and grit was another key reason Slater backed them and both went beyond anything they had previously showcased.
Tabuai-Fidow made a try-saver on Tom Trbojevic and could not have done any more.
This was one of the bravest displays by a Maroons outfit that lost Tom Gilbert (dislocated shoulder), Cobbo (leg) and Murray Taulagi (concussion). They also played 10 minutes without sin-binned Tom Flegler.
The Maroons refusal to say die came to the fore again.
“Origin is won on effort and courage and that is what has won the game for the Maroons,” Queensland selector Darren Lockyer said in Channel Nine commentary.
The Maroons wore the inspirational phrase coined by former team manager Dick ‘Tosser’ Turner on the inside of their collar. It reads: “Queensland expects you to do your duty.”
To a man, the Maroons lived those words.
At one stage they had hooker Ben Hunt playing at right centre. He did his duty.
Slater’s decision to pick warrior North Queensland forward Reuben Cotter, despite the Cowboys’ indifferent season, reaped rewards.
Cotter was man of the match and played a blinder.
The Maroons trailed in the second-half when Cotter dived on a loose ball to secure possession. They scored soon afterwards. It was a key moment.
The Blues’ discipline let them down and in the big moments they were outplayed by their opponents.
“I’ve got mixed emotions about the game,” said Slater. “We didn’t play overly smart at times, but when you lose your two back rowers in the first half, we finish with both our centres playing on the wing, David Fifita and Ben Hunt, to finish the game, and when we went down to 12 men in the last 10 minute period, we were actually behind on the scoreboard.
“So to go after the game with less troops in the field, and never give up, there was so much guts and the determination from this team, and I suppose looking at it that way, I’m really proud.”
He said he reflected on his pre-match chat when the team was behind late in the game and a player down.
“We needed to play like Queensland and for Queenslanders,” Slater said. “A trait of Queenslanders is they never give up.”
“Queenslanders go through droughts. They go through cyclones, they go through floods. They go through a lot of adversity. We try to represent our people in that way. That’s what makes our people so proud and why this footy team is such an inspiration for our people.”
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