Queensland Origin team prediction: David Fifita set for Maroons return

Queensland legend Gorden Tallis has called for the return of an exiled star as Peter Badel selects his Origin I Maroons lineup.

Queensland legend Gorden Tallis has called for David Fifita to be picked for Origin I as the Titans’ $1 million man took it to Brisbane in Saturday night’s derby blockbuster at Cbus Super Stadium.

A fitter, leaner and meaner Fifita has surged back into form this season and he can submit an irresistible case for a Maroons recall with a barnstorming display against the Broncos club he controversially quit.

Since his move to the Titans in 2021, Fifita has endured a rollercoaster ride and he was overlooked by Queensland coach Billy Slater last season as Gold Coast’s highest-paid player crashed to the interchange bench.

But, buoyed by a punishing pre-season, Fifita has started 2023 with the consistency to match his forward ferocity, convincing former Maroons captain Tallis that the 110kg Tongan torpedo is ready for an Origin comeback.

“If he keeps on playing the way he is playing, there is a spot for Dave in the Queensland team, absolutely,” said Tallis, the Titans ambassador who played 17 Origin matches for Queensland.

“If you have (Felise) Kaufusi, (Pat) Carrigan and (Reuben) Cotter doing the hard yards, there is no doubt Dave should be there adding the other side of things (for the Maroons).

David Fifita brings an X-factor to the Queensland pack. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Dave is a once-in-a-generation forward and what he brings to a team only Dave can bring.

“There’s a lot of back-rowers in this comp who have taken their games to another level.

“Viliame Kikau is at the top of the tree, but guys like (Keaon) Koloamatangi at Souths and Dave are uncompromising as well as skilful.

“Kieran Foran (Titans five-eighth recruit) has been great for Dave and if he gets a clear run and they get a combination going, Fifita will be unstoppable.”

BULKED UP COBBO IS READY TO ROCK

Selwyn Cobbo has undergone a Greg Inglis-style physical transformation, with the bulked-up Broncos flyer declaring he is primed to make an Origin statement against the Titans.

Cobbo will go into Saturday night’s derby weighing an impressive 104kg - just 2kg shy of the monstrous Inglis during ‘GI’s’ decorated reign as a backline weapon for South Sydney, Queensland and Australia.

Inglis’ frightening size and speed helped South Sydney to the 2014 premiership and, almost a decade later, a beefed-up Cobbo hopes to have a similar impact at the Broncos.

The 20-year-old has gone from 97kg to 104kg in the past six months and Cobbo demonstrated the power of his extra bulk when he withstood a Raiders shoulder charge to score a sensational try in last week’s loss to the Raiders.

Now Cobbo is ready to hit top gear against the Titans with a view to reclaiming his Queensland Origin jumper for the series opener against NSW at Adelaide Oval on May 31.

A bulked up Selwyn Cobbo in action for the Broncos in round six. Picture: Getty Images

“I have bulked up,” Cobbo said ahead of the Titans derby at Robina.

“Over the pre-season, I put on some weight and I worked hard to lose the baby fat and turn it into muscle, but I feel I am carrying it well.

“My form this year has been a bit up and down, but I have been getting better with each week and I was happy with my try (against the Raiders).

“It would be exciting to be in that Queensland jersey again, but I’m not taking it for granted.

“There’s a lot of good Queensland players who want that jersey and there’s a few games to go until Origin, so I want to push for that over the next few weeks.”

The 2022 campaign was the ultimate learning curve for Cobbo.

While he lit up Brisbane’s right flank with 15 tries from 18 games in a form burst that delivered him a shock Origin debut, the young Indigenous ace finished the season so mentally and physically burnt out he was briefly rested by coach Kevin Walters.

(L-R) Selwyn Cobbo and Xavier Coates of Queensland celebrate victory after game three of the 2022 State of Origin Series. Picture: Getty Images

Cobbo’s manager Tas Bartlett said Cobbo’s heavy weights program in pre-season was designed to help him cope with the physical toll of the NRL.

“It’s scary how big Selwyn is getting,” said Bartlett of Pacific Sports Management.

“He is developing that broad, barrel chest that Greg Inglis had.

“With another pre-season, he is going to be a monster.

“I’ve noticed Selwyn has matured this season.

“Bulking up has made it easier for him to cope with the NRL. The first year is always up and down emotionally and when you throw in Origin as well, it’s easy to see why Selwyn was burnt out mentally.

“But this year Selwyn has been more consistent.

“His finish last week was outstanding and shows just what a special talent he is.”

WALTERS WANTS TO SEE WALSH WEARING MAROON

Kevin Walters has declared Broncos whiz-kid Reece Walsh ready for a State of Origin baptism if Queensland fullback incumbent Kalyn Ponga fails to get the green light for the series opener.

With Ponga battling concussion issues, Walsh has rocketed into the frame for a maiden Maroons jumper and can make another compelling statement in Brisbane’s derby clash against the Titans on Saturday night.

While Walsh was well contained in last week’s loss to Canberra, the 20-year-old has been a Broncos match-winner in the opening six weeks and Maroons coach Billy Slater will be watching him closely at Cbus Super Stadium.

Walsh went agonisingly close to an Origin debut two years ago, only to be ruled out at the eleventh hour after hurting his hamstring at the captain’s run 24 hours before Game Two at Suncorp Stadium.

Reece Walsh has been in sublime form for the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

Now the star recruit is back in the Origin conversation and former Queensland coach Walters is adamant 43-game rising star Walsh has the talent and toughness to answer a Ponga SOS for the series opener at Adelaide Oval on May 31.

“He would handle Origin for sure, but he has to handle Saturday night (against the Titans) first,” said Walters, who coached Queensland between 2016-19.

“That’s for Billy (Slater) and his team of selectors to make that decision, but ‘Walshy’ a few years ago was dragged into Origin and unfortunately got injured.

“That’s the exciting time ahead for all the Queensland guys at our club. Just playing some good footy in a good team puts you in a position to play those representative games.

“Right now Walshy has a bit on his plate with his fullback play, he is working hard on his game, particularly his attack, getting some combinations with (Adam) Reynolds and Ezra (Mam).

“We are scratching the surface at the moment with Walshy, but he is quite a footballer and we will see that against the Titans.”

Asked if Walsh has the defensive toughness to handle Origin, Walters said: “He still has work to do there, particularly with our tryline defence.

“But he has a great attitude, wants to get better and every time he comes to training he is looking at videos, looking at games and players.

“That’s what I like most about Walshy … his ability to absorb information and want to get better as a player.”

Originally published as Queensland Origin team prediction: David Fifita set for Maroons return