Gehamat Shibasaki to make Maroons debut in State of Origin decider in stunning selection call

From a trial-and-trial deal at the Broncos to a State of Origin decider with the Maroons - Billy Slater will drop the biggest selection bombshells in series’ 45 year history. See the Maroons side.

Gehamat Shibasaki (L) will make his Maroons debut in Sydney. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Queensland coach Billy Slater has dropped one of the biggest bombshells in Origin’s 45-year history by handing maligned Bronco Gehamat Shibasaki his Maroons debut for the decider.

The Shibasaki shock came as Slater hauled Josh Papalii out of Origin retirement and opted for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow over Reece Walsh at fullback for the series decider against NSW on Wednesday week in Sydney.

On a night of selection drama, Maroons hierarchy held a marathon three-hour debate as they discussed a replacement for injured fullback Kalyn Ponga.

There was a push for Walsh to be recalled but Slater had concerns about his recent knee injury, relegating the Broncos superstar to 18th man duties and opening the door for the ‘Hammer’ at fullback.

But the monster shock is the blooding of Shibasaki, who was playing Queensland Cup a year ago in Townsville and only returned to the Broncos in November on a $1000 a week train-and-trial deal.

Now the reborn 26-year-old will make his Origin debut in the centres, three years after a stint in Japanese rugby, as he prepares to mark-up against NSW champion Stephen Crichton.

Three years ago, Shibasaki’s league career stalled to the point where he quit the game and moved overseas to take up rugby in Japan for Green Rockets Tokatsu.

Now the rugged 97kg centre has rocketed into the biggest game of his life with the Maroons.

Valentine Holmes will shift to the wing to accommodate Shibasaki, who has been a revelation for the Broncos this season, scoring a double in Saturday’s 26-12 defeat of the Warriors to seal his selection.

Gehamat Shibasaki has been one of the form centres this year. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Slater is a huge fan of Walsh and considered him strongly for a Maroons recall, but the fitter and fresher Hammer was deemed a safer option after his four-try heroics against the Rabbitohs.

The Broncos superstar will join Camp Maroon as 18th man and could still be activated in the Origin decider if there is a concussion-related injury.

The selection surprises extended to the Queensland pack, with Papalii back in business as a State of Origin enforcer.

Originally published as Gehamat Shibasaki to make Maroons debut in State of Origin decider in stunning selection call