Matty Johns slams ‘disrespectful’ way Dane Gagai learnt of Origin snub

NRL icon Matty Johns has taken aim at the way news of Dane Gagai’s shock omission from the QLD Maroons team came about.

Matty Johns fires up over Dane Gagai

NRL icon Matty Johns has taken aim at the way news of Dane Gagai’s omission from the QLD Maroons team came about.

Gagai was left out of the team despite being a staple in years gone past in what was one of two bombshell omissions.

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Kalyn Ponga was dropped from the team in favour of Broncos fullback Reece Walsh, but news of the Newcastle Knights star being left out didn’t drop until the morning of team announcements.

For Gagai it was a completely different story, news of his shock omission filtered out in the week leading up to the team’s being named.

Johns wasn’t happy that news of Gagai’s shock departure from the team had been leaked, saying the circumstances surrounding his Origin exit left him stunned.

“The Ponga one I was very surprised but I get it. But I was stunned by Gagai not being

selected,” Johns said on SEN 1170’s ‘Morning Glory with Matty Johns’.

“Can I just say what I really did think was disrespectful was that about three or four days before the selections, it came out in numerous media outlets that Gagai was not going to be picked.

“Now, number one I just didn’t believe it and one of the reasons is how he’s aimed up, regardless of his club form, he’s always in my opinion aimed up.

“But I just didn’t believe it because given what he’s done for that jersey, there is no way someone would leak it.

“But someone had. That’s the thing I found really disrespectful. Shocking.”

Gagai will be watching on from home. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The Maroons were widely condemned for ditching their ‘pick and stick’ method when they announced the team for Game 1 on May 31.

The method has been preached over and again by Queensland legends with the established connections between the playing group giving them the edge on the field.

“Well I think they’ve thrown loyalty out the window,” Buzz Rothfield said on NRL 360.

“No Ponga after that game he played two weeks ago. One of the best individual performance all year. I know he got the knock the other night.

“No Capwell, No Gagai – 22 Origins straight. He’s got them out of so much. I’m surprised they haven’t stuck more solid.”

Brent Read added: “I’m surprised Gagai is not there,”

“I understand Ponga not being there given the concerns over the HIA and how good Reece Walsh is going. But the Gagai one surprised me.”

NSW selection advisor Greg Alexander was left shocked by the omission of Gagai from the squad.

“Stunning. It’s stunning. One of the players you picture when you think Queensland for the last 7-8 years, you think Cameron Munster, Josh Papalii and Dane Gagai,” he said.

“Dane Gagai is just one of those players that just produces for Queensland and has every time.”

Gagai’s omission was a shock. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The NSW Blues also made several bombshell changes to their squad as they look to bounce back after last year’s Origin defeat.

Jake Trbojevic’s withdrawal from camp handed Bulldogs forward Tevita Pangai Jr a shock Origin debut.

Rabbitohs strike centre Campbell Graham sensationally quitting the Blues’ camp moments after he was named 18th man due to injury.

The NSWRL last week confirmed Graham had left the team’s Coogee headquarters, forcing selectors into a scramble.

Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau won the race to be NSW’s hooker, edging out South Sydney’s Damien Cook.

Game 1 of the 2023 State of Origin series gets underway on May 31 in Adelaide.