Billy Slater explains changes, David Fifita snub as four QLD changes confirmed for Origin III

Billy Slater made four changes to his team, but a decision to again overlook one of the game’s most damaging stars has been met with shock.

Maroons team for Game 3

Billy Slater has made four changes to his Queensland Maroons team, with a pair of Knights stars earning Origin recalls but superstar Gold Coast forward David Fifita overlooked once again.

After his successful return from a Lisfranc injury on Sunday, Kalyn Ponga was on Monday named on the bench in the team for next week’s series decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Ponga’s Newcastle teammate Dane Gagai has also won a recall, named at centre in a Queensland backline that has been hit by hamstring injuries to Murray Taulagi and Xavier Coates.

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Selwyn Cobbo returns to the starting line-up on one wing, with Valentine Holmes shifting from centres to the other wing.

Backrower Jaydn Su’A was a casualty from the heavy loss in Game 2, with Kurt Capewell named to start in his place. Slater on Monday described Su’A as “unlucky” while also the Dragons star had been battling some injuries.

Slater, though resisted calls to bring Fifita into the team, with veteran Felise Kaufusi keeping his place on the bench.

Veteran Daily Telegraph reporter Phil Rothfield said on Monday morning he could not understand the decision to overlook Fifita again.

“I’m starting to think this is the best story in rugby league that hasn’t been told yet and there has got to be more to it,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“Billy Slater ignoring him in all three games — I can understand Game One and Game Two — but now they’re on the back foot, now they’ve lost in Melbourne. I thought he needed to add another explosive edge to his football side.

“While Fifita doesn’t have the work rate of a Kurt Capewell, while he’s maybe not as strong, reliable, hard-working a player, he is able to add so much more to a football team than Capewell can, particularly in a desperation game like this when the series is on the line.

David Fifita has been in good form this season. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“You have a player who is probably better than any other forward in the game with his reputation for just those barnstorming charges. He’s a big, strong, powerful wrecking machine and there has to be more to it and I don’t know what it is.”

Asked about the omission, Slater indicated he had still not been convinced by Fifita’s form this season.

“Dave was a serious consideration but we feel that the 17 players that have been chosen are the 17 players that have earned the opportunity to be here,” Slater said.

“All Queenslanders are considered and Dave is a name that has been in the conversation for all games. He started the season a bit behind the eight-ball and he’s still working back to the standard that he created for himself last year.

“I’m sure he’d be the first to admit that... ultimatelly this is the 17 we feel is the right 17 for the game next week.”

Melbourne Storm hooker Harry Grant was also named on the bench despite battling a sternum injury with, Canterbody’s Reed Mahoney named as 20th man as cover.

Slater said Grant was looking likely to play but said Mahoney’s naming in the reserves was a deserved reward for his outstanding form with the Bulldogs.

For Gagai, Game III marks a triumphant return to the Origin arena, having been named as 18th man for Game II.

The 33-year-old didn’t miss an Origin game from his debut in 2015 to his last appearance in the 2022 series decider but was left out of the squad in 2023.

He did his chances of selection no harm on Sunday in Newcastle’s win over Canberra, scoring a double, running for 158 metres and breaking the line twice.

“We all know what Dane Gagai brings. We know how it important this teamis to Dane Gagai. he’s playing wonderful footy at the moment,” Slater said of the veteran.

“Really excited to see him back in the Maroons jersey.”

Ponga also starred in the win despite his lengthy injury layoff, with his return to give the Maroons some real X-factor off the bench.

“It was great to see him back on the field yesterday and he really hasn’t missed a beat. He’s done a lot of work in training to get to that point,” Slater said.

“We feel that’s the best thing for the footy team to have him back in the side.”

Slater, however, warned that “these changes personell wise aren’t going to fix what happened in Game 2” with the coach determined for Queensland to start the deciding match stronger after the Blues’ record first-half blitz at the MCG.

QUEENSLAND TEAM FOR GAME III

1 Reece Walsh

2 Selwyn Cobbo

3 Dane Gagai

4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

5 Valentine Holmes

6 Tom Dearden

7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)

8 Reuben Cotter

9 Ben Hunt

10 Lindsay Collins

11 Kurt Capewell

12 Jeremiah Nanai

13 Pat Carrigan

14 Harry Grant

15 Mo Fotuaika

16 Felise Kaufusi

17 Kalyn Ponga

18 Trent Loiero

19 Brendan Piakura

20 Reed Mahoney

Originally published as Billy Slater explains changes, David Fifita snub as four QLD changes confirmed for Origin III