State of Origin Game 3 2024: Queensland Maroons team news, selectors discuss David Fifita, Wayne Bennett backs Selwyn Cobbo
Queensland selectors have discussed handing David Fifita a surprise Origin recall for the decider, with one ex-Maroons skipper backing the Titans wrecking ball. See the team news.
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Maroons hierarchy have discussed David Fifita at the selection table with former Origin skipper Gorden Tallis insisting the Titans wrecking ball would not let Queensland down in the Suncorp decider.
This masthead can reveal Fifita has rocketed into the frame for a Queensland recall as the Maroons look to add some forward firepower for the series decider on Wednesday week.
The 110kg powerhouse has been in superb form for the Titans and can submit an irresistible case for selection with another barnstorming display against the Sharks in Coffs Harbour on Friday night.
Queensland coach Billy Slater will be watching Fifita closely in the Titans back-rower’s final audition before Maroons selectors convene on Sunday night to pick their 17-man squad for the Origin decider.
Tallis, a Titans ambassador, has been a figure of trust for Fifita and the former Queensland firebrand says ‘Demolition Dave’ has made an emphatic statement to Slater.
“For the Titans the last couple of weeks, he has been in our top three players for most of the year,” Tallis said.
“Dave had a chequered pre-season, he was injured and when you miss pre-season, you miss the work that goes into building you as a player.
“But certainly the last couple of weeks he has picked up his act.
“Dave on any footy field is one of my favourite players and one of the most dangerous back-rowers.
“When you get beaten like that (Queensland’s 38-18 loss in Game Two), no-one ever owns a Queensland jersey. I know that. I have been in that situation.
“I don’t pick the Queensland team, but Dave was outstanding against the Warriors (in the Titans’ 66-6 rout a fortnight ago).
“The Titans won by 60, but let’s see what happens with Dave.”
Fifita’s numbers this season for the Gold Coast warrant Maroons selection. The 24-year-old 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 in his last start against the Warriors and has terrorised rivals with 17 tackle busts in the past two matches.
Slater is under pressure to shake-up his bench after Felise Kaufusi, Mo Fotuaika and Kurt Capewell struggled to match the firepower of NSW’s interchange in Game Two.
Fifita started in all three games for the Maroons in the 2022 series and his Titans club coach Des Hasler believes the former Broncos Academy weapon would strike some fear into the Blues.
“I think what he has been doing this year is pretty consistent,” Hasler said.
“He has been interrupted with various injuries but I think his last month of footy has been quite strong.
“He has got to be in the mix (for Queensland) hasn’t he?
“I am not partial to any inside word there but he has certainly got those pieces in his game that would make him pretty handy.
“It is a big game. It is a decider.
“They don’t get any bigger and he has certainly got some X-factor in his game.”
Former Maroons lock Scott Sattler says the recall of Fifita, who has played eight Origin games, should be a no-brainer for Queensland coach Slater.
“They have to pick Fifita, 100 per cent,” he said.
“What I like about Dave’s game this year is there is a bit of niggle in his game, he has a bit of a strut in his game.
“There would be things Billy hasn’t been happy with and that’s the reason why he hasn’t been picked in the first two games in the squad, but the positive in Dave’s game now is he is trying to be the alpha male and I like that in his game.
“He is getting under the skin of the opposition and not using just his brute athletic abilities to get him through.
“Dave can bring a bit of Latrell to Queensland.
“You know he is out there on that edge and as an opposition player, you don’t want to get him involved.
“NSW will be mindful not to rattle his cage or awaken the beast.
“I think Dave brings that fear factor to Queensland.”
COBBO V MITCHELL: BENNETT BACKS SELWYN TO SHUT DOWN LATRELL
—Peter Badel
He has been dubbed Brisbane’s version of Latrell Mitchell.
Now Selwyn Cobbo has been identified as the Queenslander to muzzle Mitchell in the Origin decider.
One of Queensland’s greatest Origin coaches, Wayne Bennett, is adamant Cobbo can muscle up to his Indigenous NSW rival as the Maroons plot a Suncorp fightback to defend the Origin shield on Wednesday week.
Cobbo was a shock omission for Origin II, citing mental and physical fatigue, but the Broncos ace is back in business and can make a statement in Friday night’s grand-final replay against Penrith at Suncorp Stadium.
Bennett is no stranger to Origin gambles. He famously blooded 10 rookies in Queensland’s epic series win in 2001 and produced another miracle in 2020 to upset NSW.
Bennett blooded a staggering 14 new Maroons to shock the Blues during the Covid-affected series, including Corey Allan, Edrick and Brenko Lee, Dunamis Lui, Phillip Sami and Kurt Capewell.
While Cobbo has played five Origin games, none have been at centre, but Bennett believes his 105kg frame can keep Mitchell honest after the Blues superstar ran riot at the MCG in Game Two.
“It is a difficult assignment marking Latrell, but Selwyn is a wonderful young player and someone is going to have to mark him,” Bennett said.
“That’s a decision for Billy Slater (Queensland coach) but if anyone can do the job, it’s Selwyn.
“The great players of our game, you just know they will probably do some damage at some stage, but it’s trying to minimise that damage.
“You don’t want Latrell getting five or six ling breaks. If Latrell gets one, you know have done a great job on him.
“These great players are great for a reason. Latrell has a hell of a lot of ability.
“They are stoppable, you might stop them five out of six times but you won’t get Latrell every time.
“Look, Selwyn is a wonderful talent. I love watching him play. He is tough. He is competitive and he does all the things that you need in a player at Origin level.
“It will be more than just the centre who has to do the job. Selwyn might slow him up but others have to come in and help. Latrell is such a handful.
“The thing with Queensland is you give a young guy like Selwyn a chance, they will try and do the best for you.”
Slater is sure to watch Cobbo closely in the round 18 blockbuster against the Panthers to assess whether the 22-year-old is not only physically ready for Origin III, but mentally attuned.
Cobbo was outstanding off the bench in Origin I and he has been impressive in his switch from wing to left centre at the Broncos this season.
Maroons centre Valentine Holmes had a nightmare marking Mitchell in Origin II, missing six tackles, and Cobbo offers a much greater physical presence than the Cowboys goalkicker.
Cobbo returned in fine form for the Broncos last week, amassing 127 metres and seven tackle busts against the Warriors.
There were concerns about Cobbo’s mental state before Origin II - he was given a weekend off to visit family in Cherbourg - but Broncos coach Kevin Walters says the Maroons young gun is rejuvenated at Red Hill.
“I’m not sure about Origin but we need Selwyn to be good (against Penrith),” Walters said.
“I’m sure he can.
“He was great over in New Zealand back in the centres and he looks good, fit, healthy and happy which is a really good thing for Selwyn.
“When he’s smiling he really the whole club is smiling.”
Former Maroons lock Corey Parker urged Slater to pick Cobbo at right centre to mark up against Mitchell in Origin III.
“I would have a conversation with Selwyn and I’d ask him about the challenge of taking on Latrell and frame it up in a way where you say do you have what it takes to win Queesland the game,” Parker said.
“I think Cobbo can stand up to Latrell. He is a big body. I have thoroughly enjoyed Selwyn’s maturity over the last six weeks, particularly the game against Souths where he made some errors but still made 200 metres and 23 runs, and he was good against the Warriors last week.
“I don’t know the full story behind why he didn’t play Origin II but I would love to see Cobbo up against Latrell.
“You just have to nurture him the right way. If Latrell sees baby-faced Cobbo he might try and go to town but Selwyn loves the contest and will relish the challenge.”
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