Veteran Queensland trio Felise Kaufusi, Dane Gagai and Kurt Capewell have been included in a 34-man Maroons squad that will meet in Brisbane to begin preparations for their State of Origin defence.
Kaufusi, 31, was suspended ahead of last year’s series opener to scupper his chances of taking part.
Capewell, 30, was overlooked by coach Billy Slater, despite his versatility across nine Origin games for Queensland.
Gagai, now 33, was another controversial omission from Slater’s side after playing 22 consecutive Origin games.
Their cards haven’t been marked though, with the trio among a stacked squad that also included Sydney Roosters young gun Sam Walker and Brisbane ace Ezra Mam, who will pressure Tom Dearden in the battle to be the next half once long-time captain Daly Cherry-Evans hangs up the boots.
Parramatta forward J’maine Hopgood and North Queensland back-rower Heilum Luki have also been included for the two-day camp, which will include logistics, junior clinics and a healthy dose of Queensland spirit.
Concussion concerns kept Kalyn Ponga out of the State of Origin arena last season, but he had a storming finish to the NRL season and is part of the squad in what shapes as a juicy battle for the No.1 jersey with incumbent Reece Walsh.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to get our Queensland players together before the season starts,” Slater said.
“Obviously the (NRL) training schedule in preparation for their season is quite tight, so to get them for this weekend is really important for their preparation into our series.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“We get to touch on a few things footy-wise, but more importantly we get our players into our community.
“Both our players and the community will get a really big lift from the experience.”
QUEENSLAND SQUAD: Jai Arrow, AJ Brimson, Kurt Capewell, Pat Carrigan, Daly Cherry-Evans, Xavier Coates, Selwyn Cobbo, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Beau Fermor, David Fifita, Thomas Flegler, Moeaki Fotuaika, Dane Gagai, Tom Gilbert, Harry Grant, Valentine Holmes, J’maine Hopgood, Corey Horsburgh, Ben Hunt, Felise Kaufusi, Heilum Luki, Ezra Mam, Cameron Munster, Jeremiah Nanai, Corey Oates, Kalyn Ponga, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Murray Taulagi, Sam Walker, Reece Walsh, Christian Welch.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Tony, that’s a pretty fair assessment of the pecking order at this stage but I’d argue they’ll start Gilbert for the softening up period before giving Fifita an opportunity to attack tired defenders. If he’s back to full fitness, I reckon he’s one of the first picked and I’m not a dolphin supporter. Personally, I’d go with Fermor or Horsburg starting in place of Nanai because JN’s defence fell away a bit as the season progressed. I know he’s a freak try scorer but he’s been caught out by those good ball-players (Walker) with the loop around or out the back attack. The guy who’s really got to pull his socks up in 2024 is Munster, his form was all over the place in 2023 & you can’t keep excusing him as ‘playing injured’.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Think it will come down to team balance and tactics for Billy. Can’t imagine NSW wants to face either of them.
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
:laughing:
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
Despite all of the Walsh hype, I'd go with Ponga who has a far better all-round game
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Yes, comparable to Paul Gallen's worst Qld team ever in 2020, Qld series win. Yes, comparable to Laurie Daley's worst Qld team of the series, game 3 2022, Qld 20 NSW 14
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
We'll have to work extra hard to go in as underdogs this year :silly:
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Pretty solid understatement there, Matt!
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yep that works too.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
That B team is as strong as many Qld starting teams over the years :shocked:
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Coin toss, I reckon.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Agree, Cotter is a great starter, Davey is no use in the softening up period.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
1st game in Sydney, win that and the blues will fold. Starting pack of Tino, Cotter, Collins, Flegler, Gilbert & Carrigan. With a bench of Horsburgh, Arrow, Kaufusi & Grant "Run em up and fill em in"
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
Ponga for Walsh??
Tetley
Roar Rookie
Ponga for Mam in your A team.
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
He'd certainly be my choice
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
If Fermor gets back to 2022 form he is every chance of ousting Lazy Dave
3 R M
Roar Rookie
The nrl has cut the time the origin squads get to stay in camp so this is s part of that process for Queensland. Regardless they usually do a small one during this preseason prep. Another grievance for us to avenge.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I've always vied 'Lazy" Davey as a bench starter and impact player. Swap with Cotter IMO. :happy:
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Seems strange to bring these guys together in the first week in February, especially if their main task is community engagement. I'm sure the youngsters will be thrilled, but I hardly think Qld needs any geeing up to support its SOO team.
Nat
Roar Guru
Since when has a Qld coach had that amount of talent to choose from? Good to see the likes of Luki, Fermor and Mam getting around the group. Enough depth in all positions not to be playing swapsies bar Hammer in the centers. Unfortunately I think Kaufusi, Capes, Gags and Oates might be there for moral support. Walsh v Ponga? Wow. It's either one or the other if they maintain the Hunt/Grant combo. Origin needs 3 forwards on the bench.