State of Origin: Ponga, Gagai among those overlooked as Maroons name Game I squad

Queensland head coach Billy Slater has released his 19-man squad to face off against the Blues in Game I of the 2023 State of Origin series at the Adelaide Oval next Wednesday.

Broncos maestro Reece Walsh is the only debutant who has been named for the Maroons with the 20-year-old winning the fullback spot over incumbent Kalyn Ponga who has had a disrupted start to the year.

Maroons veteran Dane Gagai is another name that has been overlooked along with Kurt Capewell.

Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been named in the centres alongside Valentine Holmes with Selwyn Cobbo and Murray Taulagi the wingers.

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Ben Hunt will again start at hooker with Harry Grant coming off the interchange as Slater aims to recapture the dynamic hooking combination that troubled the Blues 12 months ago.

Thomas Flegler has been named to start up front in just his second Origin appearance alongside Roosters big man Lindsay Collins.

David Fifita has also earnt a recall and will slot in on one edge with Dolphins enforcer Tom Gilbert the other.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has been named to come off the bench alongside Reuben Cotter and Jai Arrow with Tom Dearden and Christian Welch rounding out the squad.

Queensland Maroons squad for Origin I:

1 Reece Walsh
2 Selwyn Cobbo
3 Valentine Holmes
4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5 Murray Taulagi
6 Cameron Munster (c)
7 Daly Cherry-Evans
8 Thomas Flegler
9 Ben Hunt
10 Lindsay Collins
11 Tom Gilbert
12 David Fifita
13 Patrick Carrigan

14 Harry Grant
15 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
16 Reuben Cotter
17 Jai Arrow

18 Tom Dearden
19 Christian Welch

Queensland enter the clash as outsiders among the bookmakers despite pulling off a remarkable 2-1 series victory under the tutelage of a rookie Slater a year ago.

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