Billy Slater has made one of the biggest calls of his coaching career by dumping Broncos superstar Reece Walsh and handing Sam Walker a shock State of Origin debut.
Walker will wear Queensland’s famous No.7 jersey in Game One after beating out Kalyn Ponga for the halfback role following Tom Dearden’s injury setback.
The Roosters playmaker has been compared to Maroons legend Allan Langer, with Wayne Bennett declaring Walker is the closest player he has seen to the Queensland icon.
He earned his debut after incumbent halfback Tom Dearden was ruled out with a syndesmosis injury.
Saturday night’s Magic Round clash between the Roosters and Cowboys was billed a shootout between Walker and teammate Daly-Cherry Evans along with North Queensland half Jake Clifford for the vacant spot.
And Walker has earned Billy’s nod despite the Roosters suffering a shock loss at Suncorp Stadium.
Sydney Roosters star Sam Walker has been named to debut at halfback for the Maroons following an injury to incumbent Tom Dearden
Brisbane Broncos fullback Reece Walsh was a controversial omission, axed in favour of Kalyn Ponga
However Walsh paid the price for Brisbane’s heavy loss to the Warriors on Sunday, with Slater overlooking the electrifying fullback entirely for his initial squad.
Queensland will field a fresh-look side featuring several debutants, including Dolphins lock Max Plath and Titans winger Jojo Fifita.
Ponga reclaimed the Maroons fullback jersey after making it clear he was willing to play anywhere for Queensland, despite admitting the No.1 role remains his preferred position.
Maroons fans were left baffled by the omission of Walsh, who was picked for the most recent Australian Ashes tour squad.
‘His talent is undeniable and he’s the reason the broncos won the premiership last year. Man is a match winner. To not pick him in the #Maroons team is laughable,’ one posted.
‘Can’t believe Queensland are not picking Reece Walsh. The ultimate X factor despite form issues. A very NSW like move,’ another added.
Others backed Ponga’s selection, saying Walsh had not enough to earn the jersey.
‘Not consistent enough. Rocks & Diamonds,’ a Maroons fan commented.
‘As good as he is I think he makes to many mistakes for Origin,’ another said.
Walsh and Walker were part of a host of changes and shock omissions, with several North Queensland Cowboys players overlooked.
Clifford, veteran winger Murray Taulagi, rising second-rower Heilum Luki and strike centres Jaxon Purdue and Tom Chester all missed the cut.
Dolphins centres Jack Bostock and Herbie Farnworth were also overlooked in a number of selection shocks, which saw Titans winger Jojo Fifita named and Broncos skipper Pat Carrigan dumped to the bench.
Dolphins prop Tom Flegler was one of the good news stories in the squad, named after returning from an agonising 677 days on the sideline spent battling injury and illness.
His teammate Max Plath was another stunning selection, named at lock in place of Carrigan.
Selwyn Cobbo has earned a Maroons recall after being overlooked by Billy Slater during the 2024 Origin campaign.
Dragons veteran Valentine Holmes was dumped following a disappointing start to the NRL season, with Holmes himself recently conceding his form had not justified Origin selection.
Storm flyer Xavier Coates remains sidelined with an Achilles injury, while Gehamat Shibasaki has shifted to the extended bench after starring in last year’s series following his rapid rise from Queensland Cup football.
New South Wales coach Laurie Daley has named six debutants, but Slater said he remained focused on his own camp.
‘Obviously NSW has picked a really strong team, there’s a few fresh faces,’ he said.
‘That brings energy and enthusiasm.
”We’ll do our due dilligence and make sure we do our homework on our opposition.
‘We’d be very silly if we didn’t, they’re such a strong outfit.
‘Our priority will be our game. If you get your game right, well that certainly helps nullify the strength of the opposition.’
Queensland Maroons squad for State of Origin I at Accor Stadium:
- 1. Kalyn Ponga
- 2. Selwyn Cobbo
- 3. Robert Toia
- 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
- 5. Jojo Fifita
- 6. Cam Munster
- 7. Sam Walker
- 8. Tom Flegler
- 9. Harry Grant
- 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- 11. Reuben Cotter
- 12. Kurt Capewell
- 13. Max Plath
Interchange:
- Briton Nikora
- Lindsay Collins
- Pat Carrigan
- Trent Loiero
Reserves:
- Ezra Mam
- Gehamat Shibasaki
- Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
