The Maroons have named their team for Origin Game II with three players slotting in to the starting 17 to replace an injured duo.
Jeremiah Nanai, Moeaki Fotuaika and Xavier Coates all return for Queensland replacing the injured trio of Jai Arrow, Tom Gilbert and Selwyn Cobbo.
Meanwhile, two veterans have been left out and an in-form firebrand has been pipped at the post.
Read below for all the winners and losers out of Queensland’s team announcement!
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
WINNERS
NANAI AND THE COWBOYS
While Jeremiah Nanai missed the series opener due to suspension, a vacancy has emerged and Maroons selectors have given the young gun the nod.
While many believed Felise Kaufusi was a shoe-in for the edge spot, Slater has put his faith in the 2022 Dally M Rookie of the Year.
His selection could be viewed as a risk considering he has only played once since Round 9 — but Nanai’s try-scoring ability is hard to ignore.
Coming off the bench in his return game against the Storm in Round 14, Nanai scored a try and was back to his dynamic best.
The 20-year-old’s impressive 2022 campaign for the Maroons would also likely have played a part in his selection, featuring in all three games last year.
Nanai’s selection comes alongside Cowboys teammates Murray Taulagi, Valentine Holmes and Reuben Cotter.
The fact North Queensland have four of their stars playing in the Origin arena could see Todd Payten’s side make a charge for finals this season, bringing representative experience back to their club team.
The Cowboys are already moving in the right direction, following a huge 45-20 win over Melbourne in Round 14 before enjoying the bye in Round 15.
MOEAKI FOTUAIKA
A well-deserved Origin return for the Titans wrecking ball.
Moeaki Fotuaika has been excellent for the Gold Coast all season, turning his form around and recording some impressive statistics.
The 23-year-old has been one of Holbrook’s best and is averaging 137 running metres per game to go with 29.1 tackles per 80 minutes.
Fotuaika has previously had a taste of Origin, playing four games across the 2020 and 2021 series but a dip in form in recent years saw him fall out of contention.
However, Slater kept a close eye on the gun prop and his workload for the Titans was enough to win him a spot on the bench in place of Jai Arrow.
Titans skipper and Maroons gun Tino Fa’asuamaleaui gave his teammate a glowing reference ahead of his Origin return.
“He’s been our best player nearly every week,” he said to The Courier Mail.
“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.”
Sharks get caught in Storm of tries | 02:24
MORE NRL NEWS
GONE: Brooks’ bombshell Tigers exit as rival NRL club floated as next destination
QLD team LIVE: ‘Shocked’ coach’s Gagai reveal… and contenders to fill big holes
‘HAD ENOUGH’: Luai lifts lid on fiery ‘build-up’ as NRL charges feuding stars
GOING?: Frustrated Sheens’ immediate Tigers future in doubt after recruitment debacle
XAVIER COATES
Coates was snubbed for the series opener in favour of Broncos gun Selwyn Cobbo and Cowboys star Murray Taulagi but has earned a call-up as next in line.
The Storm speedster’s 2022 series was cut short due to an ankle injury in Game I before Taulagi replaced him and was impressive.
Without that injury, Coates may have been an automatic selection for Slater and his height provides an advantage over the NSW wing duo of Brian To’o and Josh Addo-Carr.
Coates was also excellent for Melbourne in Round 15, which may have sealed his fate as the next winger to slot in, scoring two tries in his side’s 54-10 rout of the Sharks.
According to Storm coach Craig Bellamy, Coates should have been selected to travel to Adelaide.
“I thought he would’ve been picked in the first one, with all due respect,” Bellamy said in Sunday’s post-match press conference.
“Having said that, Billy’s got a tough job. When you start talking State of Origin there’s a whole heap of players that names come up and they’d fit in that side good. It’s really hard to pick 17.”
Coates will now add to his six Origin appearances when the Maroons take on the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.
LOSERS
FELISE KAUFUSI
Kaufusi was considered a shoe-in for the Maroons side prior to his three-game suspension, such was his form to start the year for the Dolphins.
However, Slater has shifted away from selecting experienced players following the axing of centre Dane Gagai.
In what could be considered a changing of the guard, Nanai won the vacant backrow spot over the Dolphins enforcer in a shock snub.
Kaufusi was another who was rubbed out of the series opener due to suspension, with his ban ending after the NRL’s newest franchise took on the Sea Eagles.
Therefore, the 31-year-old’s last game before taking the field in Game II would have been in Round 12 against his former club.
That factor may have contributed to his axing, but his exclusion from the Maroons squad will be widely considered a surprise as Queensland attempt to win the series at Suncorp Stadium.
Kaufusi also turns 32 next season and may find it difficult to force his way back in the Origin arena despite playing some of his best football under Wayne Bennett.
CHRISTIAN WELCH
Another veteran who is unlucky to miss out.
After being named on Queensland’s extended bench for the series opener, Welch would have been considered the obvious replacement for the injured Jai Arrow.
But instead, Slater has recalled a in-form Titans prop in a big snub, with Welch losing his place in the squad altogether.
The 28-year-old has been one of Melbourne’s most consistent players this season and delivered a huge performance against the Sharks in Round 15.
He ran for 136 metres and made 21 tackles in a solid performance Storm fans have come to expect from their skipper.
While Welch has been left out of the squad, Slater may be predicting the front rower will be handed a suspension after he was sin binned for a hip drop tackle on Cronulla enforcer Royce Hunt on Sunday.
Depleted Panthers still pack a punch | 02:28
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
COREY OATES
Corey Oates has been one of the Broncos most consistent players over the last two seasons.
However, injuries have hampered his campaign in 2023, suffering a broken jaw in Round 2 before suffering a knee injury against the Eels in Darwin.
The 28-year-old winger was always facing stiff competition to feature on the wing in 2023 but did make an appearance in Game III last year following Taulagi’s positive Covid test.
It would be a difficult call for Slater to make to pick the 197-game NRL veteran after only five games on the field this season.
But still, Oates will once again provide solid back-up and is the next winger in line should Slater suffer another injury after Cobbo’s hip-pointer blow ruled him out of Game II.
His renaissance has also been a joy to watch for rugby league fans, with the winger not featuring in the 2020 or 2021 series before returning last year.
COREY HORSBURGH
The fiery redhead came so close to winning an Origin debut.
However, Slater has looked to Fotuaika for the final bench spot in a brutal blow for the Raiders forward.
Horsburgh has been excellent under Ricky Stuart this season and there have been wide calls for the 25-year-old to make his first Queensland appearance.
While he has missed out, the firebrand now looks to be the next forward in line after being named on the extended bench.
His utility value also adds to his selection credentials, having played in the middle and on an edge for Canberra in 2023 — which could come in handy should the Maroons suffer any more injuries in their pack.
Prior to the season starting, Horsburgh couldn’t have predicted he would even be in selection contention for an Origin debut.
If the Raiders gun continues to deliver week in, week out in the nation’s capital it is only a matter of time before he takes the field in the Origin furnace.
Slater is obviously a fan of Horsburgh and said “he is doing a good job”.
“I’ve been really impressed with Corey — my opinion of his habits haven’t changed,” he said.
“He has been great for Canberra and I really enjoy watching him play.
“I like what Corey sees as important in the game in terms of his work off the footy, his kick-chase efforts and all those little things that you need to lean on when you are under pressure in State of Origin.”