‘Disgrace’: Billy Slater axes DCE as NRL world fumes over Ezra Mam selection
Queensland coach Billy Slater has been called out for several contentious selection decisions after his Maroons side were comfortably beaten in Game 1.
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Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans has been sensationally axed as Queensland’s halfback and captain for Origin 2, while the decision to pick Ezra Mam has caused a major stir.
Announcing his side for Game 2 on Monday, Slater revealed he has opted to drop his veteran halfback for Cowboys star Tom Dearden, ushering in a new generation ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday week as the Maroons’ famous pick-and-stick mentality crumbles.
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Dearden was used off the bench in Game 1, but with NSW registering back-to-back series wins just one game away from becoming a reality, Slater has decided to make some tough calls.
In the wake of Queensland’s 18-6 loss to NSW in Game One at Suncorp Stadium, the 41-year-old is for the first time under pressure to turn things around, with his job at the helm of the Maroons no longer safe.
And he has pulled the trigger on his skipper, ending his illustrious Origin career.
Slater also confirmed he has dropped Beau Fermor, recalling veteran Kurt Capewell in his place.
Controversial Broncos star Ezra Mam has also been named in Slater’s 20-man squad - just three games back from his drug-driving scandal - along with Raiders enforcer Corey Horsburgh and boom Storm centre Jack Howarth.
The decision to pick Mam was promptly labelled a ‘disgrace’ by NRL fans, who felt Slater had lost the plot.
While fullback Reece Walsh didn’t make the cut despite starring in the Broncos’ big win over the Titans on Saturday night, with Slater delivering the hard truth that he just isn’t in the best 20 Queenslanders available.
10:00am: Daly Cherry-Evans not the scapegoat, says Slater
Slater has moved to play down Cherry-Evans axing, denying claims DCE was used as the team’s scapegoat for an underwhelming Game 1 showing.
“It’s not the case (Cherry-Evans being a scapegoat for Game I loss),” Slater said.
“It’s a case of the best person for the position. It is what it is. when you’re in this position you’ve got to think about what’s best for the team.”
The halfback’s axing means the Maroons will need to appoint a new captain for Game 2, with Slater revealing that decision will be made tomorrow.
“We’ll make everyone aware of who the captain is tomorrow (Tuesday when teams are named). We’ve got quite a few club captains, quite a few leaders within the group, I feel whenever you play for the Qld team you’re a leader in your own right.”
You can watch Slater discuss his decision to drop DCE in the video at the top of the page
9:50am: Billy Slater explains Reece Walsh snub
Walsh returned after a six-week absence for Saturday’s clash with the Titans, despite whispers he was underdone.
But Michael Maguire’s gamble immediately paid off, with the superstar fullback setting up the first try before scoring a double late on to clinch a resounding 30-point victory.
Many thought the fullback’s showing not only knocked on Slater’s door but broke it down, but the Queensland coach wasn’t moved, with the Broncos No.1 not even making the side’s 20-man squad for the do-or-die clash.
And on Monday Slater said while his performance was impressive, he felt he wasn’t in the current best 20 available for the state.
“I consider everything, I watch everything, it was great to see Reece back playing the way he was,” Slater said.
“He’s got a real spring in his step and a real energy about him, and I felt he made a real difference to the Broncos’ performance.
“But you’ve got to remember when you throw a name up, you’ve got to take one out and we just feel the ones we have at the moment are the right ones.
“I’ve got no doubt he’ll be ready to go if called upon, and you never know what lies in the future. He’s been a great member of this footy team in the past, and instrumental in 2023.”
9:40am: Billy Slater hints Corey Horsburgh may not make the final 17
Corey Horsburgh has only played one Origin - the final game of the 2023 season - and many believed it was a selection decision Slater got wrong.
In Game 1, the Maroons lacked size and punch and many felt ‘Big Red’ was the answer.
The Raiders enforcer was selected in Slater’s 20-man squad on Monday but the Maroons coach bristled at a question about how close he was to making the 17.
“He’s here, so he is close,” Slater snapped.
“He’s in the final 20 so that is pretty close.”
You can watch Slater’s frosty moment below
9:35am: Daly Cherry-Evans took axing ‘with great character and great respect’
In no shock to any NRL fan on Monday, Billy Slater was hit with a question about his decision to axe DCE right off the bat.
And the Maroons coach said he believes Dearden had now usurped him, before commending the veteran halfback on taking the news he was being dropped honourably.
“I don’t take any decision lightly ... we just feel Tom is the right person for the No.7 jersey right now,” he told media on Monday.
“You won’t hear a negative word from me about Daly Cherry-Evans. What he has done and what he’s given this footy team, that will be with all Queenslanders and with Daly for the rest of his life.
“We feel Tom Dearden has earned the right to wear the jersey and we feel it’s the right thing for the footy team.
“Obviously Daly wanted to play and he was disappointed ... but he took the news with great character and great respect, and we had a good conversation. We have a great relationship.”
When further pressed on why he felt Dearden was the right choice, Slater said he felt he was the man to unlock several of the Queensland star’s games.
“We want to play to our players’ strengths,” Slater continued.
“There are some areas in game one that we didn’t get right, so changing the No.7 jersey and personnel there, that’s not going to fix everything.
“We need to look at game one and perform better.”
9:20am: Billy Slater picks Ezra Mam just three games back from drug-driving scandal
Despite dropping his captain, Slater’s most controversial call is the inclusion of Ezra Mam in the Maroons’ extended 20-man squad.
Mam is only three games back from a nine-week suspension for a drug-driving scandal last October and is sure to be an unpopular choice with both sets of fans.
The Brisbane star was mercilessly booed during Brisbane’s heavy defeat to the Sea Eagles last week.
And while he was impressive in the Broncos’ win over the Titans on Saturday, his inclusion has gone down like a lead balloon.
“Picking Ezra Mam is a disgrace and embarrassment to the game,” one fan wrote on X in response to Queensland’s team list being unveiled at 9am on Monday.
“Should honestly be ashamed for picking Mam,” another added.
While a third wrote: “Picking Mam is actually a disgrace”.
9:00am: Billy Slater’s confirmed Maroons team for Game 2
1 Kalyn Ponga
2 Xavier Coates
3 Robert Toia
4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5 Valentine Holmes
6 Cameron Munster
7 Tom Dearden
8 Mo Fotuaika
9 Harry Grant
10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11 Kurt Capewell
12 Jeremiah Nanai
13 Pat Carrigan
14 Kurt Mann
15 Lindsay Collins
16 Reuben Cotter
17 Trent Loiero
18 Corey Horsburgh
19 Jack Howarth
20 Ezra Mam
8:50am: Daly Cherry-Evans’ State of Origin career over
Cherry-Evans’ spot in the team came under scrutiny following Queensland’s 18-6 loss to NSW in Game 1 as the Blues claimed consecutive wins at Suncorp Stadium for the first time in 27 years.
The Queensland halves pairing came under fire after the defeat with Maroons legend Shane Webcke admitting he was worried “the magic wasn’t there”.
The 36-year-old, who became the oldest-ever Origin player in Game 1, has led Queensland to three State of Origin series wins and has played for the Maroons 26 times.
But Queensland’s attack has lacked punch in Game 1 and last year’s series decider — apart from a Xavier Coates try during Brian To’o’s sin bin, the Maroons haven’t scored a try in the past two games.
Former Queensland coach Kevin Walters said on Fox League he didn’t envy Slater, describing it as a “huge decision”.
“It’s probably one of the biggest decisions that a coach has had to make at that level for some time,” Walters said.
“From a Queensland point of view, not a bigger decision has ever been made for a long time.”
Cooper Cronk added: “If I’m Billy, I’m having a one-on-one chat with Daly and I’m saying, ‘Can you deliver for your state one more time?
“If I’m Billy and I walk away from that conversation believing he can, I think he gets picked. If I’m walking away thinking that he can’t, then maybe the decision has to be made.
“But at the end of the day, I think the only real opinion that matters here is Billy’s thoughts.”
The Maroons have long preached about a pick-and-stick culture, which was evident throughout their dynasty between 2006 and 2017.
However, Cherry-Evans’ axing has all but ended that being accurate.
Monday’s decision means DCE is the first Queensland captain to be axed mid-series since Trevor Gillmeister in 1996.
8:40am: Queensland enforcer under injury cloud
The Maroons team could be shaken up further with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui battling a sternum injury ahead of the game in Perth.
The Titans skipper picked up the blow in Saturday’s 44-14 defeat to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Fa’asuamaleaui played 53 minutes and left the field in visible discomfort with 7 minutes remaining.
Despite the injury, Fa’asuamaleaui was named in Queensland’s Origin squad on Monday morning and will to Camp Maroon on the Sunshine Coast.
The 25-year-old will be assessed and monitored by Maroons medical staff in the lead-up to the sudden death game in Perth.
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