Queensland have suffered a third injury drama with winger Selwyn Cobbo to miss Origin II due to the hip problem he picked up in the game-one victory with Billy Slater making three injury-enforced changes to his squad.
With second-rower Tom Gilbert (dislocated shoulder) and Jai Arrow (ankle) also out, it has prompted Billy Slater to recall Storm speedster Xavier Coates on the wing with Jeremiah Nanai and Moeaki Fotuaika returning to bolster the pack next Wednesday at Suncorp Stadium.
Slater has named Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in the starting side this time around after he was a late inclusion in the run-on side at Adelaide for Origin I while Nanai slots straight into the second row for Gilbert with player of the match Reuben Cotter remaining on the bench despite playing all 80 minutes in game one.
Fotuaika has not represented the Maroons since 2021 while Coates and Nanai were part of last year’s series-winning side.
Uncapped Raiders firebrand Corey Horsburgh is part of the extended squad for the first time with Titans utility AJ Brimson also part of the reserves bench.
Fa’asuamaleaui is free to play after being found to have no case to answer for the Api Koroisau incident on Thursday night when his forearm broke the NSW hooker’s jaw while the Titans skipper hit the ball up.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Storm prop Christian Welch, who was another candidate to come into the pack, has been rubbed out by the match review committee, copping a ban of 1-2 weeks after he was sin-binned in the 75th minute for a hip-drop tackle on Cronulla’s Royce Hunt on Sunday.
Cobbo scored two tries in his return for Brisbane on Saturday night but aggravated his hip injury and Coates has been brought back. Storm coach Craig Bellamy said he was unlucky not to have made the squad for the 26-18 win in Adelaide to start the series.
The Blues are set to name their squad later on Monday or on Tuesday morning after the final match of Round 15 between Parramatta and Canterbury, featuring several selection candidates including Mitchell Moses, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Tevita Pangai jnr, Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr.
Queensland Origin II team
1 Reece Walsh
2 Xavier Coates
3 Valentine Holmes
4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5 Murray Taulagi
6 Cameron Munster
7 Daly Cherry-Evans
8 Lindsay Collins
9 Ben Hunt
10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11 Jeremiah Nanai
12 David Fifita
13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
14 Harry Grant
15 Tom Flegler
16 Reuben Cotter
17 Moeaki Fotuaika
18 AJ Brimson
19 Corey Horsburgh
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
You QLD folk are gullible. :happy:
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Well only good vibes if NSW won
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
What rule? Seriously, tell me what the rule is and why it's a rule.
Cam
Roar Rookie
lol
matth
Roar Guru
So both sides are openly breaking this rule? Where is this rule stated?
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Sorry boys but this is against the rules.
matth
Roar Guru
Brandy Alexander picks the NSW team and commentates for Fox. Your point?
matth
Roar Guru
Well he is all in with the Dragons’ 25 year plan so ….
matth
Roar Guru
Ben Hunt gives us such great flexibility. Plus we have Cotter who emphatically showed he can cover an edge. Great balance
matth
Roar Guru
With Nanai and Coates I suspect we are also hoisting it high
matth
Roar Guru
But only for one breakfast. The next morning would be strawberries imbedded in medium rare steaks topped with cough syrup and good vibes
Hunters
Roar Rookie
So we’re going up in increments of 15. NSW by 50.
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
He addressed the team because he's a QLD assistant coach, that's his job. He commentated on the game because thats also his job. Why would it be against the rules? Commentary. Doesn't. Matter. It's just fluff for the telly...
Tetley
Roar Rookie
Haha. Cold even. As far as Qld goes in winter. But we’ll still neck a few frosty sherbets.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Strong side. Same spine. Kafusi, like TPJ, would probably give dumb penalties.
Nah too green in the second row. Need an old head in there. Should've put in Capewell with Nanai or Fifita, and start Corey.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
For breakfast they would give the kids: raw chicken breast on burnt toast topped with sardines and caramel
Cam
Roar Rookie
NSW set to name Latrell and Cam Murray. NSW by 35.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Ben Hunt will have some games up in 5 years time :thumbup:
Noel
Roar Rookie
Don't know about that. Ponga made himself unavailable for selection. Billy couldn't pick him he wanted to.