Queensland coach Billy Slater had to make some “tough” phone calls on Sunday night — and the “hardest” one went to veteran centre Dane Gagai.
The Maroons regular, who is known for going to another level in the Origin arena, has missed out on selection for the first time since 2015.
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He’s not the only player shock snub either, with star incumbent fullback Kalyn Ponga losing his jersey to Reece Walsh.
There’s some great stories to come out of Maroons camp though with David Fifita earning a recall, Tom Flegler’s promotion and the Dolphins rewarded for their blistering start to the season.
Here are Queensland’s biggest winners and losers following Monday’s team announcement.
Queensland name squad for Origin game 1 | 03:12
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WINNERS
Tom Flegler
After biding his time, Broncos prop Tom Flegler will return to the Origin arena for the first time since his debut in game threee, 2021. Flegler was in and around the Queensland setup last year — in fact he was 18th man for the final game of the series. Now with Josh Papalii retiring from Origin, a door has opened in the forward pack and Felger was the player next in line. “Talk about earning your opportunity, he was in all three camps last year and didn’t play,” Slater told reporters on Monday.
David Fifita
Titans star David Fifita was one of the game’s most criticised players last season. Fast forward 12 months and the big-money second-rower has forced his way back into the Queensland side off the back of his irresistible form at club level. Slater said on Channel 9 that Fifita had been in “the best form that I’ve seen him play consistently” and now the 23-year-old has been recalled for the Maroons after missing out last year.
Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins
The Dolphins were widely tipped to earn the wooden spoon in their debut season, but instead the new fanchise’s start to the year has launched two players into a Maroon jersey — it would’ve been three had Felise Kaufusi not been suspended. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been one of the form players of the competition this season and edged out Queensland veteran Dane Gagai for a spot in the centres. Meanwhile, workhorse forward Tom Gilbert will add to his singular Queensland cap after being named in the starting second row. The 22-year-old has relished his opportunity at the Dolphins under Wayne Bennett, who said over the weekend Gilbert was “made for Origin.”
Reece Walsh
It’s been a long-time coming for Broncos young gun Reece Walsh, but the fullback will finally make his Origin debut in this year’s series opener. In 2021, he was set to earn a Maroons debut as an 18-year-old before a hamstring injury suffered in the captain’s run ruled him out. With Queensland selectors wary about Kalyn Ponga’s history of head knocks, 20-year-old Walsh has got the nod ahead of the incumbent No.1. It’s a fitting reward for his form this season. In only 11 games this season, Walsh has scored four tries, set up 15, got nine line breaks and 16 line break assists. “He’s been playing fantastic football… There’s a lot more to Reece Walsh than what we see on the surface… His game is in a good place,” Slater said on Monday.
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LOSERS
Kalyn Ponga
A disrupted start to the season has cost Kalyn Ponga his Queensland jersey.Ponga spent six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a head knock in Round 2. He returned for the Knights in Round 9 and then had his best game of the season the following week. However, he couldn’t back it up over the weekend and as a result has been overlooked by Maroons selectors. It’s an unfortunate blow for the 25-year-old, who was man of the match in last year’s decider. Slater acknowledged on Monday that “there was no more influential player” in the 2022 series than Ponga but said he is “comfortable with the decision” to choose Reece Walsh at fullback.
Dane Gagai
It doesn’t matter what Dane Gagai’s form is like at club level, he’s developed a reputation of flipping a switch as soon as he pulls on a Queensland jersey. Gagai has been a mainstay for the Maroons since 2016 — in fact he’s played every single Origin game since game three of th2 2015 series. But the 32-year-old’s impressive Origin run has come to an end with Slater opting to go for a centre pairing of Valentine Holmes and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Slater admitted on Monday that the phone call to Gagai was “the hardest” he had to make, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given what the veteran has done for his state over the last seven years. Three games is a long time in Origin but gagai may have to face up to the reality that is time as Queensland player is up.
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Felise Kaufusi
He’s been a key part of the Queensland side since his debut in 2018, but Felise Kaufusi will miss the series opener after being hit with a three-game suspension for a high tackle. Kaufusi could have rolled the dice and attempted to downgrade the charge, which would’ve reduced his ban to a $3,000 fine, but instead accepted his fate. “He won’t be contesting the charge, he’ll be accepting the three matches. He wasn’t considered last night,” Slater said on Monday.
Kurt Capewell
The star second-rower has played every Origin game since his debut in game one of the 2020 series, but has been overlooked for Tom Gilbert and David Fifita. Capewell has been consistent without being outstanding for the Broncos and has simply been out-played. It’s unfortunate for the 29-year-old, given he’s been the glue that held Queensland’s defence together in the past.