Queensland Maroons selection headaches: Will Billy Slater pick and stick for State of Origin decider?

Billy Slater has one less headache heading into the Origin decider, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow cleared of a serious shoulder injury. But will the Queensland coach’s ‘pick and stick’ mantra hold up for the rest of the team?

The Maroons have received a huge boost with strike weapon Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow cleared of injury for Origin III.

Scans revealed only a minor AC joint injury with the ‘Hammer’ getting the green light from medicos to be fit for the Suncorp decider against NSW on July 17.

The centre speedster injured his shoulder in the first half of Wednesday’s 38-18 loss to NSW in Origin II, but returned to the field to play out the second half.

Scan results this morning confirmed a grade-one AC joint injury.

Tabuai-Fidow will not play for the Dolphins against the Dragons on Sunday as expected, but the injury would not keep him out of any more matches.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been cleared of injury. Picture: NRL Photos

Dolphins head of performance Jeremy Hickmans said Tabuai-Fidow had reported back to Brisbane in reasonable condition.

“The reality is that if we did not have a bye next week he would be right to go for the Dolphins,” said Hickmans.

“Because of the third Origin camp he is unlikely to play for us against the Rabbitohs on July 11.

“The injury looks pretty good at the moment and should not cause him any trouble in his next game, will most likely be for Queensland.”

Maroons and Dolphins forward Felise Kaufusi also reported in good health after playing limited minutes against NSW, so is fit for selection against the Dragons.

DCE CALLS FOR CALM

Shattered skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has appealed for Queensland selectors not to wield the axe and adopt a pick-and-stick approach to give the Maroons squad a shot at redemption in the Suncorp decider.

Queensland coach Billy Slater is under pressure to make some changes to the Maroons side that produced the worst first half in history in Wednesday night’s 38-18 collapse to NSW in Origin II.

Queensland’s 21-0 lead in 1983 was previously the biggest halftime advantage in Origin history. But NSW’s 34-point rampage in the first half of their MCG massacre of the Maroons exposed some chinks in Queensland’s armour.

The Maroons have lost just two of 13 Origin deciders at Suncorp and Cherry-Evans implored Queensland hierarchy to keep faith in the existing 17 to secure a hat-trick of titles on home turf in Game Three on July 17.

“I’ve got a lot of faith in the coach and the selectors and as captain, I’m always honoured to be in the side,” Cherry-Evans said.

Will David Fifita earn an Origin recall? Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“You are always trying to earn your Queensland jumper, I don’t take this jumper for granted, and I know this same team can get the job done (in Game Three).

“I’ve had a lot of faith in selectors over the last couple of years and I will continue to have faith in whatever team they pick for Game Three.

“But I have no doubt there will be a lot of familiar faces there.”

While the Maroons don’t have the depth to make wholesale changes, Queensland powerbrokers are sure to consider a number of options for the 14th Suncorp decider.

Centre Valentine Holmes struggled to contain rampaging Blues rival Latrell Mitchell out wide, while veteran duo Felise Kaufusi and Kurt Capewell could be in the firing line after lacking impact off the bench.

Cherry-Evans captained Queensland in their record 50-6 loss to the Blues in Townsville in 2021, but he said the opening stanza at the MCG was his worst nightmare in Maroon.

“That is the worst first half I’ve played in,” he said.

“The first half wasn’t good enough, simple as that.

“They played Origin football in that game and we didn’t. They played like the series was on the line and we didn’t. Simple as that. That’s the bottom line. We will learn a lot from that.

“I was definitely shocked at halftime. While it’s happening (the flood of NSW tries), it’s happening pretty quick out there and you are just focused on somehow stopping the momentum and getting back into the game.

“It’s definitely the worst first half and surprisingly it didn’t turn into the worst loss we’ve ever had. We were able to halt momentum, reset at halftime, and come back out and show some real fight.

“I didn’t see that scoreline coming but I’m proud of the fact we regrouped for the second half and had a crack.”

Cherry-Evans is steeled by Queensland’s recent history of bouncing back immediately.

The Maroons have won two deciders in the past four years despite being beaten in Game 2, including their epic 22-12 win at Suncorp in 2022 after being flogged in Game 2 in Perth.

“There are a few of us who can draw on experiences from 2020 and ’22,” he said.

“We will have to lead by example and I will tell you what won’t be missing for Game 3 … belief.

“We are really disappointed with how things went but we still have an eye on the bigger picture.

“We will dust ourselves off and go again.

“There’s no doubt about the opportunity that we have to go to Suncorp and get the result.”

Cherry-Evans scoffed at suggestions Latrell Mitchell is Queensland’s bogeyman. The Blues ace destroyed the Maroons in 2021 and was outstanding in his return to the NSW side at the MCG after missing the 2022-23 campaigns due to leg injuries.

“Latrell is a very good player,” he said. “But the way that first half went, they would all feel like they have got the wood on us.

“We’ve got a bit to learn but a lot to be excited about, too.”

SLATER’S FIFITA CONUNDRUM

Slater has been urged to recall blockbusting forward David Fifita as the shell-shocked Maroons fight to retain the Origin shield in the Suncorp decider.

Fifita started in Queensland’s back row in all three games last year but was overlooked for the opening two games of the 2024 series, due in part to his club side the Titans’ dismal early-season form.

But Fifita’s rampaging form in recent weeks, combined with Queensland’s flat bench in Origin II, has renewed calls for Slater to unleash the Titans beast in the Suncorp decider on July 17.

Blues firebrand Spencer Leniu was outstanding off the bench in Origin II, while Maroons interchange quartet Harry Grant, Mo Fotuaika, Capewell and Kaufusi struggled for impact.

Queensland’s 19-game legendary lock Parker was shocked by the MCG collapse and believes Fifita is the one Maroons forward with the power and game-breaking talent to rip the Blues apart.

Kurt Capewell could be on the chopping block. Picture: Ian Currie

“Based on Dave’s performances he will have to be considered,” said former Maroons ironman Parker.

“There will be a few individuals who will be embarrassed by that performance.

“I thought we were off from the start.

“The New South Wales bench has been good in both games and I was always concerned about our bench.

“Fifita has been outstanding for the Titans this season. I imagine Dave and Selwyn Cobbo will have to come into consideration.”

Cobbo was magnificent in Game One, having a hand in two tries to inspire Queensland’s 38-10 win after Reece Walsh was concussed, only to be scratched for Origin II due to injury.

The Broncos young gun has been named for Saturday’s clash against the Warriors. If he comes through unscathed, Cobbo could return to the bench.

Veteran duo Capewell and Kaufusi are under pressure to hold their places, while right centre Holmes missed six tackles and struggled to contain NSW superstar Mitchell.

Fifita’s numbers this season for the Gold Coast have been formidable. The 115kg hulk has played the full 80 minutes five times this season and has charged for 1721 metres at an average of 156m per game.

Fifita posted 230m against the Broncos in round 12, 195m last week against the Warriors and has terrorised rivals with 17 tackle busts in the past fortnight.

Former Maroons lock Sattler said Fifita, who has played eight Origin games, has the size and intimidation to hit back at NSW’s interchange weapons

“We got bullied,” Sattler said.

“I wouldn’t change too much, other than picking Fifita and Cobbo if he is cleared of injury.

“I like how Dave has been trying to bully his opposition of late in defence.

“I like the niggle he has brought into his game.

Originally published as Queensland Maroons selection headaches: Will Billy Slater pick and stick for State of Origin decider?