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Queensland coach Billy Slater has confirmed a number of big calls in his team for Origin I, before lifting the lid on the “tough phone calls” he had to make on Sunday night to deliver the news.
As expected, Reece Walsh won the race to the fullback position over incumbent Kalyn Ponga.
He is the only debutant in the squad.
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Fourteen players from last year’s series were recalled.
Thomas Flegler, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, David Fifita and Christian Welch are the other four who have been called back into the squad.
Dane Gagai is a notable omission, flagging a potential move away from the Maroons’ ‘pick and stick’ culture.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has been cleared to play after receiving only a fine for his contact on Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney during the Titans’ loss on Sunday.
Slater also opted to pass over Felise Kaufusi, who is facing a three-game suspension for his high shot on former teammate Christian Welch during the Dolphins’ loss to the Storm on Saturday night.
Addressing the media, Slater revealed he had taken it upon himself to deliver the news to four of the big names he left out of the side, ringing Ponga, Gagai, Kurt Capewell and Xavier Coates on Sunday.
“I had to make some really tough phone calls last night. There were some good phone calls but there were [also] some really tough ones,” he said.
“They’re not easy decisions to make but they’re made for the right reasons and I believe that.
“[But] they were very understanding.
“Those four guys are Queenslanders through and through.
“By the end of the conversations they were all really supportive of this team, they all want success for this team and they’re willing to support the team in any way.
“They are great men and great Queenslanders.”
Slater underlined his confidence in his decisions, especially the contentious call to hand the No.1 jersey to Walsh over Ponga.
“At the end of the day, I’m really comfortable that this is the right decision,” he said.
“It’s the right decision for everyone involved, it’s the right decision for the team.
“Reece Walsh has been playing fantastic football. I’ve watched him closer than most people and he’s in a really good place. So, I’m comfortable with the decision we have made there.”
Slater shrugged off questions concerning the influence of Ponga’s battle with repeat concussions on his decision, instead choosing to emphasise that Walsh has undoubtedly earned his spot.
“There’s a lot more to Reece Walsh than what we see on the surface,” he said.
“He’s got a great work ethic – if you ever watch him play live, he’s moving a lot without getting in the picture.
“His game is in a good place and it’s going to get even better.”
Slater also acknowledged the strain around dropping Gagai, a consistent performer in the Origin arena, for an in-form Tabuai-Fidow.
“Hamiso has been playing great too,” he said.
“Sometimes we can focus on the guys that are not there, now it’s time to focus on who is there and building a game plan and having our players at our best.
“That’s the priority now.”
The Maroons will take on the Blues on Wednesday week at Adelaide Oval.
MAROONS ORIGIN I TEAM
1. Reece Walsh
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Cameron Munster
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
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