Robert Toia, Beau Fermor, Trent Loiero called up for Maroons Origin debuts

Queensland coach Billy Slater has dropped a selection bombshell by blooding three debutants, while Patrick Carrigan will consult a plastic surgeon in a bid to be cleared for Game I.

Queensland coach Billy Slater has dropped a selection bombshell by blooding three debutants — Robert Toia, Beau Fermor and Trent Loiero — for Origin I.

‘Toia the Destroyer’ has rocketed into the Queensland team at centre after just 10 NRL games as an injury crisis rips through the Maroons ahead of the series opener on Wednesday week.

The 20-year-old Roosters sensation only made his NRL debut in round 1 against the Broncos this year — and has suddenly been pitchforked into the Origin arena at Suncorp Stadium.

Robert Toia has been called up to the Queensland team. Picture: Getty Images

Valentine Holmes has been moved to the wing to accommodate a centre pairing of Toia and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for a blockbuster duel with NSW rivals Latrell Mitchell and Stephen Crichton.

Toia’s selection comes after a backline crisis that saw injured duo Murray Taulagi (calf) and Selwyn Cobbo (wrist) ruled out, opening the door for the Roosters flyer.

Meanwhile, Fermor finally gets his chance in Maroon after superb form for the Titans, while Loiero joins him on the bench as reward for his wholehearted industry with the Storm.

The 24-year-old Loiero has amassed 85 games for Melbourne since his 2021 debut, while Fermor, 26, sealed a maiden Maroons jumper after his 78th top-grade match against Canberra on Sunday.

Queensland selectors gave strong consideration to Kurt Mann, but the Bulldogs ironman has had to settle for a place on the extended bench as 18th man.

The hard-running Fermor has been outstanding in his return from a knee reconstruction which wiped out his 2023 season.

The Titans back-rower has played 80 minutes in all 10 games for Gold Coast this season, averaging 119m and 28 tackles to go with five tries.

Storm forward Trent Loiero. Picture: Getty Images

Titans forward Beau Fermor.

But the huge news is the blooding of Toia, who makes his Origin debut at age 20 — just like another one-time rookie Maroons centre, Mal Meninga, way back in 1980 at Lang Park.

A Nudgee College product, Toia boasts a devastating right-foot step and the Redcliffe junior said a fortnight ago he dreamt of emulating Maroons legend Greg Inglis in the Origin arena.

“I would love to play Origin,” said Toia, who has fought back from a torn ACL.

Robert Toia makes his Origin debut at age 20. Picture: Getty Images

“GI was a good one for me, just how dominant he was. It didn’t matter who was in front of him, he was just able to create havoc.

“Injuries have been tough, but the reassurance from the Roosters has just been second-to-none.

“They have backed me every step of the way.”

In a series of blows for the Maroons, incumbent fullback Reece Walsh (knee) has been joined on the sidelines by Tom Gilbert (pec) and Taulagi (calf) for Game One.

Pat Carrigan will consult a plastic surgeon on Monday after sustaining a badly split lip in Sunday’s 30-26 loss to the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium.

The Maroons warhorse finished the game with blood streaming from his mouth and Broncos medical staff were unable to repair it on-site.

Carrigan must be medically cleared to wear the Queensland No.13 jumper.

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Patrick Carrigan was sporting a busted mouth at Suncorp Stadium.

The injury setbacks are not ideal for a Queensland team under pressure to hit back this season after last year’s 2-1 series loss to the rejuvenated Blues.

Given Queensland’s raft of ructions, the Blues will start at favourites with bookmakers to clinch back-to-back series wins under new coach Laurie Daley, who replaces Michael Maguire.

In positive news for the Maroons, Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui emerged unscathed against Canberra on Sunday and will return after a knee-reconstruction wiped out his 2024 campaign.

Pat Carrigan shows off his cut. WARNING: cut has been blurred due to its graphic nature.

Champion duo Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans are reunited in the halves, while Cowboys duo Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai will start in the back row.

Cowboys teammate Tom Dearden is Queensland’s newly-minted super sub at No.14 on a bench comprising Fermor, Loiero and Roosters prop Lindsay Collins.

Slater has backed hooker Harry Grant to overcome his hamstring injury, while Newcastle champion Kalyn Ponga is back in his beloved No.1 jumper to fill the Walsh void.

Slater, who started his coaching career with consecutive title wins in 2022-23, says last year’s NSW triumph has only motivated his desire to reclaim the Origin shield.

“It was hard to take because we play to win,” he said.

“At the end of the day, we’ve had a look at our performances and our preparation - there’s things we can improve.

“Sometimes you’ve just got to accept that you were beaten by a better team and move on.

“You don’t always have to analyse things with a fine tooth comb and pull it all apart.

“We didn’t get a few things right last year but we’ve got experienced players and I have trust in the personnel we have.”

Originally published as Robert Toia, Beau Fermor, Trent Loiero called up for Maroons Origin debuts