State of Origin Game 2 2023: Billy Slater names Queensland Maroons team, defends key omissions

Billy Slater’s biggest call of his State of Origin 2 team was to snub Felise Kaufusi – a proven winner with 14 games for Queensland under his belt. Here’s why.

Billy Slater has warned NSW that the Maroons have another gear, after naming his squad for State of Origin Game II. Picture: Steve Pohlner.

Billy Slater has warned the battered Blues the Maroons have another gear as the Queensland coach defended the shock omissions of Selwyn Cobbo and Felise Kaufusi for Origin II.

Injury has forced Slater to preside over five changes to his winning Origin I team, with Titans prop Mo Fotuaika, Melbourne winger Xavier Coates and Cowboys back-rower Jeremiah Nanai earning recalls for the return bout at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.

But it was the absence of Broncos speedster Cobbo, Queensland’s two-try hero in Origin I, and Dolphins hit man Kaufusi, a 14-game Maroons stalwart, which raised eyebrows.

Cobbo suffered a hip injury in Queensland’s 26-18 defeat of NSW in Game One and while it is understood he was medically cleared by Broncos doctors, Maroons selectors were reluctant to take any risks, having already lost Tom Gilbert (shoulder) and Jai Arrow (ankle).

Kaufusi, meanwhile, was available after serving a three-match ban, but Slater opted for younger back-row rival Nanai, who returned from suspension himself in the Cowboys’ defeat of Melbourne a fortnight ago.

Billy Slater has warned NSW that the Maroons have another gear, after naming his squad for State of Origin Game II. Picture: Steve Pohlner.

Cobbo appeared to seal his selection for Origin II with a two-try haul in Brisbane’s 24-20 defeat of Newcastle on Saturday night, but Slater backed Coates as the Maroons look to wrap up the series at Suncorp.

“Selwyn just isn’t quite 100 per cent fit right now,” Slater said.

“Tom Gilbert is probably going to miss the rest of the season and Jai Arrow is going to miss the rest of the series.

“Heading into next Wednesday, we thought the best option was to bring Xavier in.

“Xavier has been playing fantastic footy, he was involved in the series last year and was unfortunate to do his ankle in game one, he tried to play on with it and he showed courage to stay out there.

“We welcome him back into the team.”

Selwyn Cobbo was a standout for Queensland in Game I, but is unavailable for Game II after suffering a hip injury. Picture: Getty Images.

Slater showed courage snubbing Kaufusi. Former Melbourne and Queensland teammates, they won premierships and Origin series together and, at 31, Kaufusi may have played his last game for the Maroons.

But Slater is confident Nanai can provide impact after the 20-year-old starred for Queensland in his debut series last year on his way to a maiden Australian jumper for the World Cup.

“He (Kaufusi) was certainly a consideration,” Slater said.

“Felise has done a fantastic job throughout his whole career, but in particular for this Maroon jersey.

“It’s a shame that he hasn’t been playing football over the past month and that is pretty important to go out there and play one of the highest intensity games of rugby league without any footy under your belt is not easy.

“Jeremiah played all three games last year and he looked like the Jeremiah of old in his return from suspension against Melbourne.

“We felt this was the best option.”

Slater has defended the decision to omit Felise Kaufusi, after missing the last month of football due to suspension. Picture: Getty Images.

Fotuaika edged out Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh for the final spot on Queensland’s bench and Slater lauded the in-form Titans prop, who played the last of his four Origin matches in 2021.

“I have been watching Mo for quite a while now,” he said.

“It was a good phone call to Mo and his partner. They are expecting their first child at the end of the year and it’s been a lot of hard work for Mo and a lot of sacrifice. He has certainly earned this opportunity.

“I like his consistency. When you get tired you fall back on your habits and the consistent habits are automatic. It’s more the consistent performances than the one-off performances I look for.

“With injuries to Jai and Tom Gilbert, there is an opportunity for Mo now, he has been knocking on the door for quite a while and he has played as good as I’ve ever seen him play.”

Moeaki Fotuaika has been called back into Maroons camp for the first time since 2021. Picture: Steve Pohlner.

While Jeremiah Nanai has also been recalled after an injury to Tom Gilbert. Picture: Steve Pohlner.

With NSW rocked by an injury crisis that has cost them star halfback Nathan Cleary for Origin II, Slater believes the Maroons can go to another level to bury the Blues.

Asked if Queensland have another gear, Slater said: “I would like to think so.

“We can build our game more, we have built a great foundation and our players have decided what they want to be about as Queenslanders.

“The Queensland fans will bring the atmosphere at Suncorp and it’s up to us to bring our best game.

“I would like to think we are only getting started.”