State of Origin 2023: Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai out as Reece Walsh, David Fifita called up in Maroons shake-up

Billy Slater has dropped a selection bombshell, dropping two of Queensland’s biggest stars. Check out the latest Maroons selection news

Reece Walsh is hopeful of a debut Picture: Getty

Billy Slater has dropped a selection bombshell by officially overlooking Newcastle duo Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai from the Queensland State of Origin team.

In what shapes as Slater’s biggest selection call in his short tenure as Maroons coach he has axed the two superstars after a poor showing on Saturday afternoon.

Gagai, 32, and Ponga, 25, were set to be selected before the weekend. Boom Broncos youngster Reece Walsh will replace Ponga while Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is expected to replace Gagai.

Gagai struggled defensively on Saturday while Ponga has had limited game time and impact since returning from a concussion enforced break.

Elswhere Titans hulk David Fifita, 23, is back in Maroon after the Maroons were rocked by selection drama. Slater is sweating on the fate Felise Kaufusi and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui for Origin I after the key forward duo were reported for incidents over the weekend.

Seven players who appeared in last year’s epic win in the Suncorp decider – Ponga, Gagai, Corey Oates, Tom Dearden, Josh Papalii, Kurt Capewell and Jeremiah Nanai – could be missing for Origin I.

On a night of selection drama for Slater and Maroons selectors ahead of Origin I:

Kalyn Ponga is set to be named but Reece Walsh is on standby. Picture: Getty

* Gagai’s superb 23-game Origin career could be over after a poor game against the Sharks on Saturday night cost him a centre spot;

* Dolphins speed machine Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is in the mix to replace Gagai at centre;

* Back-row incumbent Capewell (shoulder) is under an injury cloud after failing to finish against Penrith last Thursday night;

* Fifita is poised to return in the starting back row alongside Tom Gilbert, with Kaufusi set to be suspended; and

* Broncos prop Tom Flegler is Queensland’s new enforcer in the post-Papalii era.

But the bombshell at Camp Maroon is the future of Ponga as Slater looks to roll the dice with whizkid Walsh.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is facing a ban. Picture: Getty

Ponga was cleared of concussion in Saturday’s loss to the Sharks, but Maroons hierarchy believe they have a duty of care to the Knights ace following four head-trauma incident in the space of 10 months.

Maroons selectors had lengthy discussions on Sunday night about dropping last year’s Game Three hero Ponga and blooding Walsh, who has been superb for Brisbane in the opening three months.

It is understood Walsh has been advised he is in Queensland’s squad for Origin I – and he is set be pitchforked into the starting side at fullback.

Should Walsh be selected, it would cap a fairytale fightback for the 20-year-old, who was on the cusp of his Origin debut two years ago, only to tear his hamstring at the captain’s run 24 hours before Game Two.

Slater told News Corp a fortnight ago he was seriously considering Walsh for his Origin debut.

Reece Walsh is hopeful of a debut Picture: Getty

“Yes, Reece is doing well,” he said.

“Reece was involved in our camp last year.

“A couple of years ago I was part of the selection committee that decided to play Reece and he unfortunately he strained his hamstrring and missed his debut.

“But he is building his game nicely now ... he is starting to get a good balance to his footy.”

Walsh said last month: “It’s one my goals this year to play State of Origin. I’ve been close. I would love to run out there with my family’s name on a Queensland jumper.”

Fa’asuamaleaui, meanwhile, is hopeful he will be cleared for Origin I after becoming the latest Maroons star to be placed on report ahead of the series opener against NSW.

The Titans hardman raised his elbow charging at Reed Mahoney in the first half – forcing his Bulldogs rival to be sent for a HIA – before being booked in the second stanza for a lifting tackle on Tevita Pangai Jnr.

Slater is expected to include Fa’asuamaleaui in his middle-forward rotation and will be hoping the Maroons hulk escapes suspension to spearhead Queensland’s pack.

Fa’asuamaleaui acknowledged his lifting tackle had gone slightly askew but insisted he was not trying to intentionally hurt Mahoney or Pangai Jnr.

“It is a contact sport,” he said.

“There was no malice in it (his tackle on Pangai Jnr).

“I was trying to an old school tackle and get underneath him. It just came off wrong.”

With Kaufusi and Fa’asuamaleaui under a cloud, Flegler will fill the front-row void left by retired Queensland hitman Papalii.

Only two minutes in, and Kaufusi has been sent to the sin bin for this dangerous tackle.

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The 23-year-old was 18th man for last year’s decider at Suncorp Stadium and returns to the Origin fold after playing his one and only game for the Maroons in Game Three of the 2021 series.

“I’d love to play Origin,” he said.

“Josh Papalii is arguably one of the best front-rowers to have played for Queensland, so they are pretty big shoes to fill.

“It’s good to see how they do things in Origin camp and I learned a lot from my experience a few years ago.”

In other selection news, Flegler’s Broncos teammates Pat Carrigan and Selwyn Cobbo have secured spots at lock and wing respectively, while Ben Hunt and Harry Grant will share hooking duties in a dummy-half dream team.

Dolphins flyer Tabuai-Fidow is putting pressure on Gagai, Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans will captain Queensland for a fifth consecutive series and Jai Arrow has impressed selectors with his workrate in a winning South Sydney side.

North Queensland’s dismal form has not concerned Slater, with Cowboys trio Reuben Cotter, Murray Taulagi and Valentine Holmes retaining their spots, while Tom Dearden is the likely 18th man.

Originally published as State of Origin 2023: Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai out as Reece Walsh, David Fifita called up in Maroons shake-up