Queensland are quietly facing a heavy injury toll as debate cranks up about Origin selections but they will happily deal with it in their own understated way while the Blues speculate over every option under the NSW sun.
Incoming coach Michael Maguire said on Tuesday that there were up to 50 players in the mix for selection in his opening squad.
For the Maroons, the equation is much simpler – they picked 34 for their pre-season camp and many of their spots are all but settled.
The spine picks itself with Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster to add to their 14 Origins together as the starting halves while Harry Grant and Ben Hunt will share their dummy-half double act as they’ve successfully done six times already.
And out the back, even though Billy Slater has diplomatically indicated Kalyn Ponga was a chance to get a start somewhere in the squad, Reece Walsh will be their fullback after he lit up Origin with his first two appearances last year before a self-inflicted suspension for abusing a referee ruled him out of the series finale.
“Reece and Kalyn are in control of where they are and where they are going with their careers and their performances. Their actions will determine the decision,” Slater said at an Origin media launch at the MCG to promote game two on June 26.
“If you ask those guys, they would love nothing more than to be teammates and that’s a possibility as well.”
Munster and DCE trail only Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston’s record of 18 Origins together in the halves, while they have equalled Thurston and Cooper Cronk’s tally and are one ahead of the legendary Wally Lewis-Allan Langer (13) duo.
Injuries have weakened the Maroons’ pack with first-choice middle forwards Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Tom Gilbert suffering season-ending injuries with Jai Arrow and Corey Horsburgh unlikely to return before the team is selected late next month for Origin I at Accor Stadium on June 5.
Gilbert, Horsburgh and Arrow played just one game apiece last year but the absence of Fa’asuamaleaui leaves a massive hole up front.
Freed from the burden of having to carry his pack and pretty much his entire team at club level, the Titans spearhead ups his intensity in the Origin arena and has taken over from Josh Papali’i in recent years as Queensland’s alpha Blues beater.
Queensland’s Tino Fa’asuamaleaui deep in conversation with New South Wales prop Payne Haas. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Dolphins speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s hamstring tear means he will also be out of the selection mix unless he returns ahead of his Round 13 schedule.
Patrick Carrigan is likely to push up to prop for Fa’asuamaleaui with Lindsay Collins also starting in the engine room and Reuben Cotter packing down at lock as a potential 80-minute option.
On the edges, Jeremiah Nanai is all but certain to get one spot while David Fifita, after an Origin renaissance last year, will probably get the other gig.
A noted big-game performer, he will probably have Titans fans scratching their heads as to why he can’t play like that on a regular basis in club footy.
The rest of the forward rotation is up for grabs.
Slater and his selectors have the option of recalling some tried and true performers like Warriors veteran Kurt Capwell, Dolphins second-rower Felise Kaufusi and Storm prop Christian Welch or go with younger options like Titans duo Moeaki Fotuaika and Beau Fermor, Eels lock J’maine Hopgood and Cowboys rising star Heilum Luki, if he can make a strong comeback from an ankle injury when he returns in a fortnight.
“I’m not big on succession plans when it comes to representative football,” Slater said. “I think you earn the right to play in the jersey.”
Fotuaikia has already made his Origin debut so Hopgood, Fermor and definitely Luki will need to show they have got the right stuff in the coming rounds to ensure they get the Slater nod of approval.
Tabuia-Fidow’s absence out wide opens the door for Selwyn Cobbo to come in off the wing to slot in at centre, as he has done successfully for the Broncos this season.
If “The Hammer” can get back in time to prove his fitness, Cobbo could end up back on the wing with Murray Taulagi squeezed out of the backline.
Knights veteran Dane Gagai and Gold Coast’s AJ Brimson were the only centre options in the pre-season squad but they have not had anywhere near the same impact as Cobbo in the opening six rounds.
Slater has brought Ezra Mam and Sam Walker into the extended squad this year to give them a glimpse of how the Maroons prepare for Origin although neither is unlikely to see any game time in 2024 with Tom Dearden the next cab off the rank if one of the established halves is unavailable.
Unlike their opponents, former Maroons players will not sink the slipper into current selection candidates in the media to get cheap clicks, ratings or the perverse pleasure of putting the current generation in their place.
One thing that will put the Queenslanders slightly out of their comfort zone is the fact that they have been installed as slight favourites by the bookmakers.
Possible Maroons team
1 Reece Walsh
2 Xavier Coates
3 Valentine Holmes
4 Selwyn Cobbo
5 Murray Taulagi
6 Cameron Munster
7 Daly Cherry-Evans
8 Patrick Carrigan
9 Ben Hunt
10 Lindsay Collins
11 David Fifita
12 Jeremiah Nanai
13 Reuben Cotter
14 Harry Grant
15 Heilum Luki
16 Tom Flegler
17 Moeaki Fotuaika
18 Tom Dearden
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
I think Jimmmy's point remains about Grant. He's not up to doing 80 minutes at dummy half in origin. As much as having Kalyn Ponga is a strength, having no relief for Harry Grant is a big weakness.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
Honestly, to have Cotter and Carrigan in the one team at Origin is a huge advantage. It means the other forwards can have more rest and more impact when they're on.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
:laughing: Not sure Queenslanders can help themselves. If you live north of the border, it becomes a yearly past time.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I hate when Queenslanders stick their beaks in our selections. You just forget you ever heard the name Hullabaloo
Nat
Roar Guru
Nah can’t agree with that. Slater had good reason to keep him sidelined last year. If that was the case they wouldn’t let Tede near the game either. If he is to play it has to be FB or possibly center at a stretch.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Yeah can't argue with that either. Nice to have a bit of depth.
NQR
Roar Rookie
I’d be happy for 1) Walsh 2) Coats 3) Cobbo 4) Hammer 5) Holmes 6) Munster 7) DCE 8) Carrigan 9) Grant 10) Mo Fotuaika 11) Fafita 12) Fermor 13) Hopgood 14) Brimson 15) Cotter 16) Flegler 17) Collins. Mo is only looking at the opening 15min. Fermor is Pride of Jenny in front of Nanai on present form. Hopggood size is probably more effective than Cotter starting. But they’ll be great together once Cotter comes on for Mo.
NQR
Roar Rookie
The thing is Queensland usually stick solid with the players that have preformed. Winning the series last year will mean most will get first crack to continue. Personally I’d be looking at Brimson on the bench. He’s an absolute cracking footballer with speed footwork and tenacity in defence. Would he be an upgrade on the the aging Ben Hunt? I actually think a combination of Walsh attacking out of dummy half and Cotter defending is more than an adequate balance when Grant has a spell.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
If the Blues somehow win game 1, I reckon Hullabaloo might not make an appearance all series! That's a very big "if", by the way
matth
Roar Guru
With hammer out the only other option is to bring Gagai back and I think that ship has sailed
matth
Roar Guru
That looks about right to me
NQR
Roar Rookie
Beau Fermor and Hopgood would be 2 players I’d happily have in the 17.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Billy Slater doesn’t look like a cult leader to me. I’m sure he doesn’t control players lives and use group coercive tactics. Qld use FORMER ORIGIN GREATS ( FOGS) to enhance the culture of being a queenslander and build upon the great legacy left by former players.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
I’m a Christian and Wally Lewis was the most talented footballer I’ve ever seen. I saw his first Origin in 1980 and many of his matches in the early 80s at the cauldron. Eight MOMs at Origin level says it all. He has an aversion to according him any “God like status” as his mortality in recent times has unfolded. His CTE is very sad, but he is turning it into a positive through education.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
There are many here advocating for Ponga. There is a reason why he isn’t there in the Suttor squad, I believe .Two words “concussion concerns’. The QRL is vexed over the matter and doesn’t want to be percieved as the cause of a premature retirement possibly, if he is concussed in an Origin game. It’s too sensitive an issue at the moment. As much as I would love as a Queenslander to see him out there.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Cam I don’t think Ponga will be in the mix for Origin. I think there is still consternation over his concussion issues. The QRL would not want to be seen to be the cause of a Ponga premature retirement through an origin concussion. I think this is the reality. I would love to see him in that arena , but I don’t think it’s going to happen, particularly with Reece Walsh available.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Billy Slater is usually on to player decline VERY QUICKLY. Think Gagai, Capewell
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Cobbo is very green in the centres at this stage. Crichton and or Best will run through or over him at this stage. Too inexperienced at this stage to be in that position in Origin
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
The assumption that Ponga is in the mix is misinformation. He will not figure in Origin due to the risks of another concussion. More to the point the QRL does not want to be seen as causing a premature retirement with Ponga.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Ponga I believe will not figure in Origin. There is too much concern over another potential concussion. The QRL does not want to be the cause of a premature retirement.