Queensland coach Billy Slater says David Fifita hasn’t bought to the “excessive requirements” he set final season as he defined his determination to axe the Titans star for the State of Origin sequence opener.
Parramatta ahead J’maine Hopgood has are available to the beginning group because the lone debutant within the 17 to face NSW on June 5 taking the place of Fifita.
Whereas the Blues have made mass adjustments below new coach Michael Maguire, Slater has the posh of sticking with the majority of the squad that has received the previous two sequence, though there are a few tweaks with Jaydn Su’A returning for the primary time since 2021.
He begins within the again row rather than Fifita who has been in glowing type this season and scored one among Queensland’s two tries within the recreation three loss final yr.
“Dave created a very excessive normal for his footy final yr. He simply hasn’t fairly bought to that normal this yr,“ Slater stated.
“I spoke to Dave final night time, he’s taken the disappointing information like a real Queenslander and desires the very best for the footy group.”
Slater has turned to North Queensland’s Tom Dearden to exchange the injured Cameron Munster who will miss the sequence with a groin harm, with the Cowboys five-eighth displaying he’s prepared for the Origin area after he starred within the 2022 decider on debut.
Ben Hunt will once more begin at hooker with Harry Grant to return off the bench the place he’s joined by Broncos centre Selwyn Cobbo who will cowl for any accidents within the exterior backs.
Dolphins hitman Felise Kaufusi is again within the squad as 18th man, whereas Broncos younger weapons Ezra Mam and Brendan Piakura are additionally on standby for the sequence opener.
QUEENSLAND SQUAD FOR GAME 1
1. Reece Walsh Brisbane Broncos
2. Xavier Coates Melbourne Storm
3. Valentine Holmes North Queensland Cowboys
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow The Dolphins
5. Murray Taulagi North Queensland Cowboys
6. Tom Dearden North Queensland Cowboys
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (C) Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
8. Reuben Cotter North Queensland Cowboys
9. Ben Hunt St George Illawarra Dragons
10. Lindsay Collins Sydney Roosters
11. Jaydn Su’A St George Illawarra Dragons
12. Jeremiah Nanai North Queensland Cowboys
13. Patrick Carrigan Brisbane Broncos
14. Harry Grant Melbourne Storm
15. Moeaki Fotuaika Gold Coast Titans
16. J’maine Hopgood Parramatta Eels
17. Selwyn Cobbo Brisbane Broncos
18. Felise Kaufusi The Dolphins
19. Brendan Piakura Brisbane Broncos
20. Ezra Mam Brisbane Broncos
