Queensland Maroons slammed for ‘disloyal’ move to snub stars

The Queensland Maroons have been dragged over the coals after the bombshell decision to leave two stars out in the dark for Game 1.

Maroons slammed for being disloyal

The Queensland Maroons have gone away from their tried and tested method ahead of the 2023 State of Origin series.

In a bombshell move the Maroons ditched their ‘pick and stick’ mentality as they announced the team for Game 1 on May 31.

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Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai were sadly on the receiving end of the blockbuster change in selection as the Maroons swung the axe.

The method has been preached over and again by Queensland legends with the established connections between the playing group giving them the edge on the field.

But that’s now been tossed aside with form beating out years of service as the Maroons attempt to claim back-to-back series wins for the first time in more than six years.

The decision however has been torched with the Maroons slammed for not showing loyalty to players who had given their all to the jersey.

Ponga missing out was a big shock. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“Well I think they’ve thrown loyalty out the window,” Buzz Rothfield said on NRL 360.

“No Ponga after that game he played two weeks ago. One of the best individual performance all year. I know he got the knock the other night.

“No Capwell, No Gagai - 22 Origins straight. He’s got them out of so much. I’m surprised they haven’t stuck more solid.”

Brent Read added: “I’m surprised Gagai is not there,”

“I understand Ponga not being there given the concerns over the HIA and how good Reece Walsh is going. But the Gagai one surprised me.”

Rothfield took it a step further when he condemned the Maroons for not picking him after his heroics during the 2022 series.

“Ponga should be in the 14, he can cover every position in the backline and it is disloyal what they’ve done to him in my opinion,” he said.

“What he did last year he deserves to be in that side.”

Gagai has been an Origin stalwart. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The Newcastle Knights have cleared Ponga to play on the weekend, but NRL great Gordon Tallis wasn’t having it and said Walsh was currently playing better than him and deserved his spot.

“They’re (Newcastle) desperate, Queensland aren’t desperate. They’ve got Reece Walsh,” Tallis said firing back.

“If they didn’t have Reece Walsh. He is playing better than him and I actually do belive it’s a relief for Kalyn Ponga.”

The argument then shifted to the other big name left out of the squad, Dane Gagai.

“He has been one of there best players for what is eight series’ in a row. He’s always shown up, he’s always done the job. I am shocked he’s not there,” Read said.

Tallis again wasn’t buying it and said his recent Origin form didn’t warrant an instant selection into the squad.

“He’s missed in the last three games what 14 or 15 tackles. He’s not marking Latrell or Tommy," he said.

NSW selection advisor Greg Alexander was left shocked by the omission of Gagai from the squad.

“Stunning. It’s stunning. One of the players you picture when you think Queensland for the last 7-8 years, you think Cameron Munster, Josh Papalii and Dane Gagai,” he said.

“Dane Gagai is just one of those players that just produces for Queensland and has every time.”

Originally published as Queensland Maroons slammed for ‘disloyal’ move to snub stars