State of Origin 2024: Queensland Maroons Game I squad revealed

Queensland coach Billy Slater has dropped a bombshell by axing incumbent back-rower David Fifita, while Selwyn Cobbo returns alongside an Eels debutant. See the full squad.

Selwyn Cobbo could find himself in an unfamiliar role. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Queensland coach Billy Slater has dropped a bombshell by axing incumbent back-rower David Fifita and handing a Maroons debut to Eels ironman J’maine Hopgood for Origin I.

Brisbane’s clash against the Titans on Sunday was billed as Derby D-Day for several Origin aspirants and Fifita was the unlucky loser as Broncos rival Selwyn Cobbo claimed the 17th and final Queensland jumper for Game One on Wednesday week.

Fifita started in all three games for the Maroons last season but has been sensationally dumped after Gold Coast’s patchy 3-8 start to the 2024 premiership.

Fifita was brilliant against the Broncos, amassing 173 metres, 19 runs, one try assist and seven tackle busts in the Titans’ 36-34 boilover at Suncorp Stadium, but it wasn’t enough to save his Maroons jumper.

Slater has opted for Jeremiah Nanai and Jaydn Su’A in the starting back-row, while Harry Grant, Hopgood, Mo Fotuaika and Cobbo won bench spots, leaving Fifita out in the cold.

The Titans wrecking ball’s demolition of the Broncos wasn’t even enough to clinch an extended-squad role, with Felise Kaufusi (18th man), Brendan Piakura (19th) and Ezra Mam (20th) to join Camp Maroon.

Fifita’s numbers this season have been impressive - he is averaging 140m and 26 tackles per game - and the 110kg hulk produced a staggering 15 tackle busts against the Storm in round 9.

But despite playing a key role in Queensland’s 2-1 series victory last season, Fifita has been jettisoned by Slater, not helped by Gold Coast’s slump into the bottom four after 12 rounds.

Dragons hitman Su’A has won a recall after a two-year hiatus, Cowboys back-rower Nanai was outstanding against Wests Tigers on Friday night and Hopgood is the only new Maroons cap for Origin I.

The 25-year-old Hervey Bay product has been a tackling machine for the Eels and has impressed Maroons hierarchy with his workrate and week-to-week toughness to become Queensland’s 231st Origin player.

Hopgood is in his second season with the Eels and has compiled 44 top-grade games since making his NRL debut for Penrith in 2021.

In other selection news, Cobbo has won a recall to the Queensland side after his barnstorming performance in Brisbane’s 36-34 loss to the Titans on Sunday.

David Fifita has been left out of Billy Slater’s squad. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Cobbo scored a try and made six tackle busts in a continuation of his outstanding displays this season, headlined by his 216 metres and 14 tackle busts in Brisbane’s Magic Round defeat of Manly.

Valentine Holmes has retained his centre spot alongside Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, while Reece Walsh is the fullback and Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Collins and lock Pat Carrigan form a formidable midfield.

Storm champion Harry Grant was tipped to start at hooker, but he has lost out to Ben Hunt for the No.9 jumper.

Dolphins veteran Felise Kaufusi has earned a surprise Origin squad recall after missing last year’s entire series.

A 14-game Maroons statesman, the 32-year-old Kaufusi was suspended in the lead-up to last year’s series which cost him his Queensland jersey.

But he has fought his way back into the squad and will be 18th man for the series-opener, providing cover across the front and back row.

Hopgood is set to make his debut. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Broncos young guns Piakura and Mam will go into Camp Maroon as development players.

Piakura was benched during an up-and-down afternoon against the Titans on Sunday where he scored a try then conceded two penalties.

With the Broncos enjoying a bye this weekend, Piakura has been selected with a view to the future and will spend time in Camp Maroon to familiarise himself with Queensland’s systems.

“He wasn’t at his best,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said of Piakura following the Titans loss.

“A lot of us lacked energy early, particularly when they had the ball.

“He wasn’t on his own but he wasn’t at his best.”

Carrigan said his Broncos teammate Cobbo wouldn’t let the Maroons down off the bench.

“Selwyn Cobbo at his best is definitely good enough,” he said.

“If Billy goes that way then I’ll support him as a friend and footy player, too.

“That’s all out of my hands.”

MUNSTER REPLACEMENT CONFIRMED

Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden has won the coveted Queensland No.6 jumper for Origin I.

This masthead can reveal Dearden has staved off a challenge from Broncos rival Ezra Mam to replace the injured Cameron Munster (groin) for Origin I against NSW on Wednesday week.

Dearden went into the weekend with the inside running and did his Origin selection hopes no harm with a solid display in the Cowboys’ 42-28 defeat of the Wests Tigers on Friday night.

Queensland selectors also discussed the claims of Mam and the Broncos pivot needed a barnstorming performance against the Titans on Sunday to turn up the heat on Dearden.

But Brisbane’s shock 36-34 loss to the Titans ultimately cost Mam any hope of unseating Dearden to win his Origin debut, especially after the pivot missed nine tackles in an afternoon to forget at Suncorp Stadium.

Queensland will formally announce their team for Origin I on Monday and coach Billy Slater’s backing of Dearden is a significant show of faith in the 23-year-old, who has developed into a leader at the Cowboys.

Tom Dearden will start in the No.6 jersey vacanted by Cameron Munster. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The scratching of Munster is a huge blow for the Maroons but Slater is confident his newly-minted scrumbase alliance of Dearden and skipper Daly Cherry-Evans can get the job done in the series opener at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Dearden has previously come to Queensland’s rescue in an hour of need.

Munster was a shock late scratching for the series decider in 2022 after contracting Covid and Dearden produced a blinder on debut with just 48 hours notice to inspire a 22-12 defeat of NSW at Suncorp Stadium.

The epic 2022 decider remains Dearden one and only game for Queensland, but that will change on Wednesday week when the sandy-haired pivot fills the Munster void again, this time in the Sydney furnace.

Dearden underlined his competitive fire in round 4 this year when he sprinted 60 metres to cut down Brisbane flyer Selwyn Cobbo just inches from the line in the trysaving tackle of the season.

“It (Origin selection) doesn’t really worry me too much, my focus has been getting the season back on track with the Cowboys,” he said.

“As much as I would love to be back in the squad, the decision is in Billy’s hands.

“He will make the decision based on what is best for Queensland.”