Queensland coach Billy Slater will bring in new blood in 2025 in a bid to win back the State of Origin shield.
Injuries and suspension forced him to pick a few veterans from the wilderness in game three last year and after surrendering their crown at Suncorp Stadium 14-4, Slater has several questions to ponder in the lead up to this year’s series opener on May 28 at the same venue.
Daly Cherry-Evans has opted against retiring from representative football and is set to lead the Maroons again although his form has wavered recently following his revelation that this season will be his last at the Sea Eagles.
The good news for Slater is Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is back on deck after missing last year with a torn ACL and Cameron Munster is another who will be back in Maroon after sitting out the 2024 series due to injury.
Several players have been below their best form this season including DCE, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Walsh but the Maroons still have ample options for the 17 they eventually put out in the field.
Last year’s team
Origin III
1 Reece Walsh
2 Selwyn Cobbo
3 Dane Gagai
4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5 Valentine Holmes
6 Tom Dearden
7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
8 Moeaki Fotuaika
9 Harry Grant
10 Felise Kaufusi
11 Kurt Capewell
12 Reuben Cotter
13 Patrick Carrigan
14 Ben Hunt
15 Lindsay Collins
16 Jeremiah Nanai
17 Kalyn Ponga
The spine
Walsh was already facing a challenge from Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga for the No.1 jersey but the star Bronco is now all but out of Origin I contention after suffering a PCL injury in the Round 7 loss to the Warriors.
He had been hot and cold for the Broncos while Ponga has been dynamic for the Knights even though he has received little help from teammates at club level.
Munster has been back to his best for Melbourne and while Cherry-Evans has not been at his peak for Manly the return of his long-term rep halves partner is likely to mean Tom Dearden will be squeezed out of the starting side.
Harry Grant is racing the clock to be fit after being ruled out for a month following a hamstring injury at training.
Ben Hunt is all but certain to share the dummy-half duties with Grant if the Storm skipper is good to go, as they’ve done over the past few years.
Reece Walsh. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Outside backs
Selwyn Cobbo and Dane Gagai lined up in game three last year and neither is likely to get a start this time around.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Dragons recruit Valentine Holmes are locks for two of the spots with in-form Melbourne winger Xavier Coates and Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi in line for a recall while Storm centre Jack Howarth had been mentioned by Billy Slater as a potential debutant but he dislocated his shoulder against the Dolphins.
The forwards
Kaufusi and Capewell were part of last year’s series deciding loss and are unlikely to get another go this time around.
Roosters prop Lindsay Collins is out with a knee injury and is racing the clock to be fifth in time for Origin I.
Fa’asuamaleaui, Pat Carrigan and Reuben Cotter are likely to be the starting middle forward trio with second row up for grabs.
Cotter played there last year but is more suited to the middle, Nanai and Titans duo Beau Fermor David Fifita are options while Jaydn Su’A has been performing well for St George Illawarra this season and could be in line for another shot at Origin.
If Cotter or Tom Gilbert get picked on the edge, Mo Fotuaika or Lindsay Collins could start at prop.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The bench
With Grant is set to miss 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury, with Kangaroos hooker’s possible absence opens up a bench spot if Hunt starts in the No.9 jersey.
In-form Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney is a contender, Munster has nominated himself as a potential bench option if Dearden retains the five-eighth spot while Kurt Mann and Max Plath are versatile interchange candidates.
The Maroons will bring Dolphins captain Tom Gilbert into the squad after he was injured last year with Canberra firebrand Corey Horsburgh, Su’A, Fotuaika, Nanai and potentially Collins fighting it out to be on the interchange.
Likely Blues team
Origin I
1 Kalyn Ponga
2 Xavier Coates
3 Valentine Holmes
4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5 Murray Taulagi
6 Cameron Munster
7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
8 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
9 Harry Grant/Ben Hunt
10 Moeaki Fotuaika
11 Jaydn Su’A
12 Reuben Cotter
13 Patrick Carrigan
14 Ben Hunt/Tom Dearden
15 Tom Gilbert/Lindsay Collins
16 Jeremiah Nanai
17 Beau Fermor
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