Billy Slater announces Queensland’s State of Origin Game 1 team as injury chaos rocks Maroons camp

Queensland coach Billy Slater has announced a new look team for State of Origin Game 1, with three players to make their Maroons debuts.

Ben Talintyre

7 min read

May 19, 2025 - 11:54AM

'There aren't less Queenslanders in the NRL just because Queensland teams aren't doing well'

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Billy Slater has announced a new-look Queensland side to tackle the Blues in Game 1 after a weekend of injury chaos saw him forced into widespread changes.

In a series of blows for the Maroons, Tom Gilbert (pec), Murray Taulagi (calf) and Selwyn Cobbo (wrist) were all ruled out of Game 1, while fullback Reece Walsh (knee) remains on the sidelines.

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And on Monday, Slater dropped a selection bombshell by naming three debutants — Robert Toia, Beau Fermor and Trent Loiero — for the series opener.

Roosters youngster Toia is the biggest surprise after only playing 10 NRL games and is the main beneficiary of a Queensland team rocked by an injury crisis.

Valentine Holmes has been shifted to the wing after Taulagi was ruled out, with Toia brought in to handle the dangerous Latrell Mitchell.

Slater would have undoubtedly been impressed by how the 20-year-old handled the devastating ball runner when the Rabbitohs and Roosters met in Round 5 and is banking on him being able to keep Mitchell quiet in Game 1.

Meanwhile, Fermor gets his chance in Maroon after a standout 2025 to date.

Kurt Mann also could make his Origin debut, after being named 18th man.

The Bulldogs utility is a beneficiary of Canterbury’s fine form this season and provides cover if there is concussion mayhem in Game 1.

Billy Slater will blood three debutants for Game 1, Robert Toia, Trent Loiero and Beau Fermor (pictured L-R). Image: Getty Image: Getty

Queensland Maroons team:

1 Kalyn Ponga

2 Xavier Coates

3 Robert Toia

4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

5 Valentine Holmes

6 Cameron Munster

7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)

8 Mo Fotuaika

9 Harry Grant

10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11 Reuben Cotter

12 Jeremiah Nanai

13 Pat Carrigan

BENCH:

14 Tom Dearden

15 Lindsay Collins

16 Beau Fermor

17 Trent Loiero

RESERVES:

18 Kurt Mann

19 Jesse Arthars

20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Robert Toia will become the third least experienced player to make his Origin debut when he runs out onto Suncorp Stadium. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Billy Slater believes Robert Toia is ‘Origin class’

Speaking about his selection decisions on Monday morning, Slater explained his shock decision to blood Toia, despite his inexperience.

Toia will be the third least experienced player to make their debut when he runs out onto Suncorp Stadium for Game 1.

Ben Ikin had just four games when he was selected for Queensland in 1995, Willie Carne had played just 5 when he debuted in 1990.

But Slater believes he is up to the task.

“Things change all the time and we had some things happen last night that were out of our control,” Slater said.

Slater hails debutant Toia as 'world class centre'

“Robert Toia, I’ve been watching him closely. Not just the stuff he does with the football but he’s got great principles in his game, I know his coach at the Roosters has got a really high opinion ... that phone call last night was one that I’ll remember for a long time.”

Toia has been named at centre, opposite Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

“I think he is a world class centre, he is a top line centre. Although he’s only 10 games into his NRL career, he’s been through a bit of adversity ... we think he’s of Origin class”

Toia will have the tall task of keeping Mitchell quiet in the series-opener but Slater is confident the Roosters youngster can come out on top.

“He’s stood up every time he’s played, he’s been one of the more consistent players for the Roosters,” he said.

“Playing in the centres, it is man on man, but it’s a system and he is a good system player. He’s got some good strengths and they will need to defend him as well.

“Hopefully we can bring him into the game... hopefully he’s going to get some good ball in good situations and be pretty dangerous himself.”

Billy Slater has named a new-look Queensland side for Game 1. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Billy Slater keen to help Kalyn Ponga turn his form around

On his day Kalyn Ponga can be the best player in the NRL, but in 2025 as the Knights flop so has he.

But with better quality and structure around him in the Origin arena, Slater says he had no doubts about picking him as the Maroons’ No.1 and is excited to work with him to bring him back into form.

Slater 'excited' to get Ponga back to his best

“I played that position and I love what Kalyn brings to a footy team,” he said.

“Helping him be at his best is something that excites me. That’s something I’m looking forward to.”

Billy Slater believes he can help Kalyn Ponga recapture his form. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Pat Carrigan in doubt for Game 1

Maroons forward Pat Carrigan is also in doubt for Game 1 despite being named in Slater’s side.

The Queensland forward was seen bleeding from his mouth as he clutched at his jaw after a head clash with Jack de Belin on the final play of the game in Brisbane’s loss to the Dragons.

Carrigan shows graphic result of lip injury

Originally the rumour was the Queensland linchpin had possibly broken his jaw, however, on Sunday night it was confirmed it was instead a gruesome mouth injury.

Carrigan went to the hospital on Sunday night to visit a specialist and underwent surgery to fix his busted lip.

The 27-year-old will then need to be cleared by a doctor to line up for Game 1, the last thing Slater wanted to hear after injury chaos had already seen him rip up his team and start from scratch.

But speaking to Today show, Brad Fittler said the fact he is in doubt points to the Queenslanders being “a little bit soft”.

“I think Queenslanders are getting a little bit soft,” the NSW legend said on the Today show on Monday morning.

“If you remember, NSW blokes just get stapled on the field, stitch it up and keep playing,” referencing the famous Michael De Vere staple incident from 2003.

However, speaking on Monday Slater said he has no concerns about Carrigan’s availability.

“Patty got plastic surgery last night ... he might be a bit worried about his looks, Patty,” he said.

“I think whenever you get contact to the face, the main focus is the structural damage, and from all reports his jaw’s all fine, he got stitched up and he’s in great spirits.”

Pat Carrigan is in doubt for Game 1 as the Maroons camp is rocked by several injuries. Image: Kayo/Getty

Jarome Luai axed as NSW name several selection shocks

NSW officially named their squad for Game 1 on Sunday night, with coach Laurie Daley opting for Mitchell Moses over Jarome Luai at five-eighth to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves.

While in a selection shock Bulldogs forward Max King will make his NSW debut off the bench.

In other hotly contested positions, Dylan Edwards edged out James Tedesco for fullback and Zac Lomax and Brian To’o were named on the wing over Tom Trbojevic, who has been visibly hampered by a knee injury since making his return to the side.

Payne Haas and Stephen Crichton have been named despite injury concerns and Penrith lock Isaah Yeo has been named NSW captain.

Haas nearly single-handedly dragged the Broncos over the line in the dying stages, coming inches away from scoring a matchwinning try.

Jarome Luai has been axed from the NSW Blues side, with Laurie Daley deciding to go with Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary in the halves. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

However, he no certainty for Game 1 after injuring his quad in the closing stages. He will go for scans on Monday and is considered a 50/50 chance to play in Game 1.

Stefano Utoikamanu looms as the most likely replacement for Haas if he is ruled out.

While Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham is on standby for Stephen Crichton, who is managing a groin complaint.

Crichton missed Bulldogs training but played the whole 80 minutes in Canterbury’s win over the Roosters on Friday.

Laurie Daley explains Tom Trbojevic omission

One of the biggest omissions from the Blues’ squad was Tom Trbojevic.

The Manly fullback has been a regular of the NSW side - when fit - and despite looking below par was widely tipped to still get the nod on the wing.

However, on Sunday night the superstar No.1 not only missed the 17-man side but the entire 20-man squad.

Explaining his decision on Monday, Daley said he has “no doubt” he’ll be back in the Origin fold in the future but simply isn’t fit enough to play on the biggest stage at the current time.

“Everyone agrees Tom, if he’s fit, is one of the best players in the game, so that was a tough decision,” he said.

“We’re comfortable with everyone we’ve selected in the outside backs. Tom needs to go back and play some good football and be confident. I have no doubt Tom will be back in this arena at some point.”

Tom Trbojevic missed Blues selection. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Terell May snub explained

Arguably the biggest snub of all ahead of Game 1 is that of Tigers powerhouse Terrell May.

May has led from the front throughout the Tigers’ 2025 campaign and was enormous again in their narrow defeat to the Bunnies on Sunday afternoon.

However, despite being widely regarded as the second-best prop in the game behind Haas, Daley has overlooked him for the series opener.

Explaining his decision on Monday, Daley simply said others were in better form.

“I just think the others are playing better (than him),” Daley said bluntly.

“Max King is outstanding ... Terrell just needs to keep knocking on the door. His time will come.”

Many believe that May has kicked down that proverbial door in recent weeks but the only opinion that ultimately matters is that of Daley, and the NSW legend isn’t convinced.

Daley also noted he had not spoken to May, and his comments made on Twitch about his snub - hinting at a defection - were not of concern to him.

Laurie Daley says others are in better form than Terrell May. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

‘Disappointed’ Jarome Luai backed to bounce back after Origin snub

Tigers coach Benji Marshall is confident Jarome Luai’s Origin snub will only make him “hungrier” to prove to Daley why he should be in the team come Game 2.

The incumbent No.6, Luai was overlooked in favour of Eels halfback Mitchell Moses.

“I’ll talk to Jarome privately, I’m sure he would be disappointed, as we all are,” Marshall said.

“I wish we could do more for him to get him in that team, but it will make him hungrier and better.”

Speaking about his axing with The Sydney Morning Herald Luai said Daley told him to “stay ready” after he was informed he wouldn’t be in the 17.

“(I’m) disappointed, and if I wasn’t, I’d be scared because I know what I’m missing out on,” Luai said.

“(The phone call) was all right - straightforward and I heard what I needed to hear.

“I’m content with it because I know I’m in control of the selection at the end of the day. (Daley) just said, ‘I’m going to leave you out (for) game one and stay ready’, which I will be.”