The Maroons have copped a huge setback ahead of Origin 2, while coach Billy Slater has locked in a number of bold calls. See likely squad here
News Corp can reveal Queensland coach Billy Slater has rung the changes again, with Cobbo joining Tom Gilbert (shoulder) and Jai Arrow (ankle) in the casualty ward for the return bout at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.
It is understood Cobbo, Queensland’s two-try hero in Origin I, aggravated a hip injury in Saturday night’s win over the Knights, opening the door for Melbourne winger Xavier Coates to win a Maroons recall.
Coates is not the only new addition, with Cowboys back-rower Jeremiah Nanai back in Maroon and Titans prop Mo Fotuaika edging out Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh for the final spot in Queensland’s 17-man squad.
It is sweet reward for the 23-year-old Fotuaika, who played four Origin games in 2020-21 and has been outstanding this season, averaging 157 metres and 31 tackles per game for the Titans.
Slater is a huge fan of Horsburgh and the Canberra cult figure has also received recognition for his inspirational club performances by being named Queensland’s 19th man for Origin II.
Selwyn Cobbo is out of Origin 2 with a hip injury. Picture: Getty
The Maroons coach has also pulled a selection switch on his extended bench, naming Fotuaika’s Titans teammate AJ Brimson as 18th man, replacing Tom Dearden, which frees the Cowboys playmaker to play against Penrith next Friday night.
But the major development is the withdrawal of Broncos and Maroons game breaker Cobbo.
Just turned 21, Cobbo was excellent in Origin I, scoring two tries, but he finished the match worse for wear after taking a knock to his hip in Queensland’s 26-18 win at Adelaide Oval.
Cobbo subsequently missed Brisbane’s next club game against Cronulla and while he scored a double against the Knights on Saturday, the Cherbourg whiz regularly grabbed at his hip and was hobbling at times.
Corey Horsburgh made 52 tackles in Friday night’s loss to the Warriors in Canberra.
Maroons selectors simply couldn’t risk Cobbo breaking down midway through Origin II and have put their faith in Coates, who sealed his recall with a double in Melbourne’s 54-10 caning of Cronulla on Sunday.
Former Broncos ace Coates has played six Origin games for Queensland and started in Game One last year, only to suffer an ankle injury which ruled him out for the rest of the series.
Coates traditionally plays on the left wing but he or Murray Taulagi may have to shift across the field as cover for Cobbo, who starred on the right flank in Origin I.
The Blues have been rocked by injury dramas, with Api Koroisau and Nathan Cleary out and Latrell Mitchell in extreme doubt, but the Maroons have their own headaches.
It is understood Nanai will replace Gilbert in the back row, while Fotuaika will be named on the interchange bench.
Jeremiah Nanai is confirmed to return from Origin. Picture: Getty
A veteran of 113 NRL games, Fotuaika believes he is primed to dominate for Queensland if given another opportunity.
“I’d love to get back in that arena, if I get the call I will do my job,” said Fotuaika, who played all three games in Queensland’s dismal 2021 series loss.
“I definitely feel I’m a lot better player than the last time I played Origin.
“I know a lot more about the game and how to play my role better now.
“I’ve played over 100 games and I know what works for me during the week with my routine.
“I’ve got that bit of experience now. I had to stand up because I’m one of the older guys in the forwards now.”
Titans captain and Queensland prop Tino Fa’asuamaleaui backed Fotuaika to fire as the Maroons look to wrap up the series in Origin II.
“He’s been our best player nearly every week,” he said. “He’s a guy that does all the little stuff, works hard and goes unnoticed.
“He fills space and puts big tackles on. He’s taking tough carries no-one wants to take. Mo is the type of player everyone wants to play with.”
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PONGA TARGETS ORIGIN COMEBACK
—Peter Badel
Kalyn Ponga insists his Origin career is not over and has declared he is up for fight in a long-term battle for the Queensland No.1 jumper with Broncos sensation Reece Walsh.
A shock omission for Origin I, Ponga lost his Queensland fullback spot to Walsh and the dynamic duo waged a positional duel for the ages in Saturday night’s Newcastle-Broncos clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Ponga scored a points decision over Walsh, only just, but the Broncos wonder boy will remain as Queensland’s fullback in Origin II at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week after his sizzling debut in the series opener.
Before his Adelaide Oval baptism, Walsh declared he had no intention of giving up the Queensland No.1 jumper, but Ponga is ready to go down swinging.
Kalyn Ponga fought a classic fullback battle with Reece Walsh on Saturday night. Picture: Getty
While the 25-year-old has stood down for this year’s Origin series due to his concussion battles, Ponga is adamant he has not played his final game for Queensland and says he will keep the heat on ‘Reece Lightning’.
“Hopefully I’m back there for Queensland next year. I will fight for the jumper next year,” Ponga told News Corp in the wake of Newcastle’s 24-20 loss to Walsh’s Broncos.
Asked if he would consider making himself available for Queensland this year in the event of an injury crisis, Ponga said: “No, I want to focus on the Knights and play good footy here.
“To be honest I just want to see Queensland win and hopefully they get it done in Game Two.”
A veteran of seven matches for the Maroons, Ponga made his Queensland debut as a 20-year-old in 2018, but it was his man-of-the-match heroics in last year’s Suncorp decider that cemented him as a blue-chip Origin performer.
Despite that magical display, Maroons selectors had concerns over Ponga’s history of head knocks. In the end, Ponga made the selfless call to advise coach Billy Slater not to consider him for Origin I.
“I gave Billy a message,” Ponga said.
“I spoke to my old man and I have had a rough beginning to the season.
Kalyn Ponga has looked back to his scintillating best in recent weeks. Picture: Getty
“Billy brought light to this. He said I have had a tough couple of months and footy for me at the moment is just being out there and playing and I owe it to the Knights to play for them and I want to as well.
“After having that head knock (against Cronulla just before Origin I) and all the commotion that came with it, I wanted to put that in the past and get out and play footy and enjoy it.
“Obviously they have a great fullback for Queensland now (in Walsh), so I’m happy playing footy for the Knights and putting my best foot forward there.”
Ponga and Walsh were equally outstanding at Suncorp on Saturday night.
The Broncos flyer was everywhere, amassing 157 metres, 13 tackle busts, two line breaks, two try assists and three line-break assists, while also pulling off a crucial second-half trysaver on hulking Knights winger Greg Marzhew.
But Ponga also submitted a compelling highlights reel, producing 10 tackle busts and running for 210 metres, including the superb 50-metre solo try that saw him step Walsh on his way to the line.
Maroons fullback Reece Walsh (R) with coach Billy Slater after Origin I. Picture: Getty
The cracking battle ended with Walsh charging fearlessly at Ponga late in the game, only for the Knights skipper to smash his Broncos rival in the tackle of the game.
Ponga, however, insists the brutal front-on shot was not motivated by any ill-feeling towards his Origin fullback successor.
“I’m proud of Reece for the way he played in Game One,” he said.
“Reece is a quality player. He is a freak and I enjoy watching him as much as anyone else.
“Once Queensland pick their team they are pretty loyal. I remember that last year when we got flogged in Game Two and we had a meeting with the coaches and they said this team will get it done.
“They will win again in 10 days’ time.
“I don’t know why there was any doubt there in the first place about him (Walsh). Look at the footy he has been playing for Brisbane and look who picked him in that team and the faith that they have.
“You have some of the best players ever like (Maroons coaching staff) Billy Slater, Cam Smith and ‘JT’ (Johnathan Thurston) … all those brains picked him at fullback and I knew he would play well. But regardless of whether Walsh played well (in Origin I), I was comfortable with my decision. My main focus is enjoying footy and I’m doing that at the Knights.”