21yo Dolphin emerges as Maroons bolter, forgotten Blue set for Origin recall

State of Origin is just weeks away and both NSW and QLD are considering some surprising selections, including a Maroons bolter.

There could be surprise Origin selections.

State of Origin Game I is just a couple of weeks away and NSW and Queensland selectors are facing plenty of headaches ahead of the series opener.

The Maroons hold the Shield and have several quality selection headaches before they pick their squad next Sunday.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 21, has emerged as a bolter to become the first Dolphins player to be picked to play State of Origin.

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Tabuai-Fidow played one game for the Maroons in 2021, but with 10 tries so far this season, the Daily Telegraph reports ‘The Hammer’ is contention to be selected for Game I at centre.

If Tabuai-Fidow is picked, Newcastle’s Dane Gagai would likely shift to the wing.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is a Queensland bolter. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Maroons face another headache — having to choose between incumbent Kalyn Ponga and the red-hot Reece Walsh for the fullback position.

Ponga played superbly for the Knights against the Titans and it would take a brave Billy Slater to choose Walsh over him.

Ben Hunt is likely to get the nod as Queensland’s hooker ahead of Harry Grant, while David Fifita’s 90m try against Newcastle showed he is ready to suit up for the Maroons.

Meanwhile, Tyson Frizell hasn’t played Origin since 2020 but the forgotten Knights forward could be recalled to the Blues’ line-up for Game I at the Adelaide Oval on May 31.

The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read told Triple M Frizell is expected to return to NSW’s backrow.

Will Dane Gagai (centre) get picked for the Maroons again? (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“A lot of mail heading into the game in Newcastle tomorrow that Tyson Frizell is on the verge of an Origin recall,” Read said.

“He’s obviously played previously and done really well for New South Wales. He hasn’t played for a couple of years now and has been outstanding for the Knights.

“Obviously New South Wales has some issues in the backrow and it sounds like if Tyson can get through this week, play really well and play really well next week too, he may be back in the New South Wales team.”

Tyson Frizell is set for an Origin recall. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Frizell played well in Newcastle’s 46-26 win over the Titans on Sunday, crossing for a try late in the first half.

The 31-year-old will battle it out with to Keaon Koloamatangi, Liam Martin, Hudson Young, Haumole Olakau’atu and Angus Crichton to partner Cameron Murray in the second row.

“I’ve played a lot of games against him and obviously with him at that level … he’s a competitor, you can trust him at that level,” Wade Graham said of Frizell.

“It’s such an important game down at Adelaide that his experience, if you can have him on the right which is his favourite position and have Isaah Yeo at lock and Cam Murray on the left, as a New South Wales fan and as a player who plays against guys like that, I’m more than comfortable to have that as the back-row rotation.

“I think it’s a great idea having him in the picture, not just because of the competitor he is and that you can trust him at that level, but also because of the experience. He’s been there before, he knows that arena and New South Wales need that in game one.”

Graham backed Panthers forward Liam Martin to come off the bench for the Blues.

“He’s someone you could have on the bench purely because he hasn’t played much footy,” Graham said.

“But you could use him in a spurt and obviously trust him. He’s played in big games before and he can play in the middle. He’s a great option. He gets another run under his belt next week and he’ll be better for the run.”