State of Origin 2024: 40% of Maroons squad weren’t born in Queensland | Bulldog’s Bite

The Maroons boast about passion and pride in their state but 40% of the Queensland side were born in NSW, New Zealand or PNG. It’s time for the Blues to expose these impostors, writes DEAN RITCHIE.

40% of Maroons squad weren’t born in Queensland

What a bunch of sanctimonious frauds.

Does the famous Maroons spirit – the artificial bile annually spewed south from the northern border – actually reveal the inordinate amount of Billy Slater’s squad born outside Queensland?

Try 40 per cent.

Yes, eight of the 20 players in Queensland’s extended squad for State of Origin I have birth certificates from NSW, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand’s north and south island.

There’s that many bloody Kiwis that Queensland players may perform a pre-game haka.

Half would be more aware of Queenstown than Queensland and know more about Mount Cook than Mount Isa.

How can these players stand arm-in-arm pre-game, with a straight face, in front of millions of viewers, and pretend to shed crocodile tears for their beloved state?

And yet they continue with this charade of being Queenslanders through and through.

What Queensland spirit? 40% of Billy Slater’s Maroons squad were born outside of the Sunshine State. Picture: Getty Images

1. Queensland winger Xavier Coates was born in Port Moresby, PNG.

Port Moresby offers sandy islands, national parks and some cultural artefacts – but it’s 2000 km from Brisbane. How can Coates elevate Port Douglas over Port Moresby?

2. Winger Murray Taulagi grew up in Otara, in south Auckland, and played for Papatoetoe Rugby Club. This true-blue Queenslander also played rugby for Otahuhu. Otara to Brisbane is 2300 km.

Auckland? That’s in Queensland! Picture: Getty Images

3. Forward Jaydn Su’A was born Christchurch, the largest south island city full of natural beauty with the snowy Southern Alps to the west. But it’s located 2500 km from Brisbane.

4. What about 20th man, Ezra Mam? He was born in Newcastle, a blue collar city located in the heart of NSW. They bleed blue in the Hunter Region which boasts Blues legends Andrew Johns, Paul Harragon and Danny Buderus. But not Ezra, he’s now a proud Queenslander.

Newcastle? That’s in Queensland! Picture: Getty Images.

5. Ever heard of Henderson? It’s a suburb in west Auckland with a population of around 4000 residents. It doesn’t have any links to Queensland other than forward Jeremiah Nanai, who defected to become a proud Maroon.

6. Big Moeaki Fotuaika came from Gisborne, located on New Zealand’s east coast. It’s known for its wineries and beaches. But it’s 2600 km from Brisbane. Another proud Cane Toad.

Gisborne? That’s in Queensland! Picture: Adam Head

7. And what about 19th man, Brendan Piakura? Like Mam, Piakura was born near the pristine beaches of Newcastle in NSW. To hell with Merewether Beach when you’re a quasi-Queenslander.

8 Felise Kaufusi was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and was a boastful Kiwi as a kid.

Now, he too, is a Queenslander.

Does it ever end?

Blues great Ben Elias once claimed: “Queensland will do anything they can to win. They will steal players from anywhere and everywhere.”

And Ricky Stuart once said: “Queenslanders only need to see someone eating a banana and they try to claim him.”

Ricky Stuart once claimed you only need to be eating a banana and Queensland would claim you as theirs. Picture: NRL Photos

Hands up if you’ve had a gutful of Queensland’s alleged spirit?

Hands up if you’ve had enough of Queensland thinking Origin means more to them than NSW?

And hands up if you’re sick of Queensland’s superiority complex?

C’mon Madge, tear into these impostors – for the good of mankind.

DOG TREATS

Wests Tigers’ purge is about to start.

Reports out of England state new Hull FC coach, NSW assistant John Cartwright, is about to sign his first NRL player – Wests Tigers five-eighth Jayden Sullivan.

And Bulldog’s Bite continues to hear Wests Tigers will struggle to re-sign Stefano Utoikamanu, despite being offered a five-year deal worth $4m.

Expect him to go on the open market.

Sullivan has failed to crack a regular spot at Concord this year with young Lachlan Galvin and Aidan Sezer seizing the halves positions.

And Sullivan’s future at Wests Tigers looks even more uncertain given the club has signed Panthers and Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai.

The Wests Tigers purge is about to begin, with Jayden Sullivan linked with a move to the Super League. Picture: Getty Images

Forward Isaiah Papalii is leaving for Penrith and Adam Doueihi will return from an ACL in July but without a contract for 2025. Utility Jake Simpkin has left for Manly.

Speculation continues around the future of Wests Tigers players Charlie Staines and Brent Naden.

Cartwright will take over at Hull from next season. Sullivan is contracted at Wests Tigers until the end of 2027.

*****

He wanted to leave the club two years ago but expect St George Illawarra to shortly announce the retention of gun fullback Tyrell Sloan.

Sloan sought a release in 2022 but is now poised to sign a new deal for possibly three more seasons.

It’s obvious Sloan wants to buy-in to coach Shane Flanagan’s emerging new era at the club.

The Dragons are expected to announce the resigning of gun fullback Tyrell Sloan. Picture: Getty Images

Meanwhile NSW lock Cam McInnes has hit out at the criticism his former Dragons coach Paul McGregor attracted.

“‘Mary’ got slammed for everything he did. It wasn’t right,” he said. “But that’s another story.”

*****

Don’t believe what they’re saying publicly, Queensland is bleating about James Tedesco’s late inclusion in the NSW.

Tedesco was forced to receive official ARL Commission dispensation to replace Dylan Edwards for Origin I.

The Maroons feel each team was allowed to pick 20 players – and that’s it.

Sources close to Queensland’s camp are miffed the Blues were given late approval to bring in what was essentially a 21st player.

Cry me a river.

*****

It seems certain the Warriors will become the first club in rugby league history to sell out all home games in one season.

*****

Nathan Cleary wasn’t the only injured Blue invited into NSW camp this week for support.

Manly’s Tom Trbojevic and South Sydney’s Cam Murray were also spotted at Leura and Olympic Park helping out before Origin I.

SPOTTED: Injured stars Nathan Cleary and Tom Trbojevic in NSW camp this week for support. Picture: Rohan Kelly

*****

Which well-known football club official has been strongly linked to St George Illawarra and Newcastle? Saints are favourites.

*****

Auckland’s proposed new stadium has reached the feasibility stage.

One recommendation is a major revamp of Eden Park with a second option being a new venue at Quay Park near Auckland Harbour.

The Warriors are watching developments closely.

*****

Which NRL club CEO, who has been forced to overcome some club drama in recent weeks, is becoming increasingly frustrated that his golf handicap is stuck on 16?