Queensland coach Paul Green makes big gambles in official team for Game 1

Maroons coach Paul Green is rolling the dice with some massive selection calls, including two debutants, for State of Origin Game 1.

Harry Grant and Kalyn Ponga. Photos: AAP, Getty.

Queensland coach Paul Green is rolling the dice with injured trio Cameron Munster, Kalyn Ponga and Harry Grant for Game 1.

Green on Monday announced a 20-man squad for the series opener as a result of injury scares across the Maroons’ side.

There were several surprises in the squad, which only includes two debutants — Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt and Eels No. 9 Reed Mahoney.

Queensland squad for 2021 State of Origin Game 1

Jai Arrow, AJ Brimson, Kurt Capewell, Daly Cherry-Evans, Xavier Coates, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Kyle Feldt, David Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika, Dane Gagai, Harry Grant, Coen Hess, Valentine Holmes, Felise Kaufusi, Reed Mahoney, Cameron Munster, Joe Ofahengaue, Kalyn Ponga, Jaydn Su’A, Christian Welch.

Ponga was ruled out of Newcastle‘s clash against Manly on Sunday with an ongoing groin injury.

He will be racing the clock to prove his fitness for the traditional interstate clash and is the key piece in the Maroons’ 17.

It comes after NSW coach Brad Fittler on Sunday night announced his team for the series opener, including three debutants.

The question marks around Queensland’s biggest stars has forced Green to include an extended squad with AJ Brimson, Coen Hess and Feldt reported to be the three players that will miss out on selection — if the rest of the squad is cleared to play in the series opener on June 9.

Brimson is also under an injury cloud after he was unable to finish the Titans’ game against the Sharks on Sunday.

Related: Queensland’s Origin venue coup in broad daylight

Kalyn Ponga’s selection is still a mystery.

According to reports, Brimson is on standby should Ponga or Munster be unavailable. Ponga will move from fullback to five-eighth should Munster miss out.

Rugby league legend Matty Johns on Sunday said Ponga’s potential move to the No. 6 jumper would be a tough assignment.

“The question is, if you haven’t got a lot of football under your belt and you’re asking someone to suddenly go into the front line of defence, it’s a big ask,” he said.

Green said during the team announcement that he was comfortable picking Grant, Ponga and Munster despite their lack of match fitness. He also said Valentine Holmes could play at fullback if needed.

The gambles in the Queensland team include:

— Munster being selected despite having not played since Round 9 as a result of a foot sprain

— Grant being moved to the bench behind Reed Maroney as a result of a hamstring injury

— Joe Ofahengaue being recalled after being moved on from the Broncos to the Wests Tigers at the end of 2020

— Edrick Lee and Brenko Lee were both unavailable for selection as a result of injuries, allowing Green to pick Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai, Kurt Capewell and Xavier Coates as his outside backs; and

— Rabbitohs forward Jaydyn Su’A being selected despite being dumped by Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett.

Queensland icon Cameron Smith recently made the surprise admission Queensland should overlook Storm No. 9 Harry Grant for the season opener.

Smith last week said Parramatta’s Reed Mahoney should start at No. 9 — forcing Grant onto the bench, despite his heroics in Queensland’s 2020 series win.

“Right now, given Harry has only played the five games – he didn’t play the start of the year with a knee injury, he’s now off the park with a hamstring injury – and Reed’s played every game this year and playing really well, you’d probably start with Reed.

Queensland predicted team for State of Origin Game 1

1 Kalyn Ponga

2 Valentine Holmes

3 Dane Gagai

4 Kurt Capewell

5 Xavier Coates

6 Cameron Munster

7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)

8 Christian Welch

9 Reed Mahoney

10 Jai Arrow

11 David Fifita

12 Felise Kaufusi

13 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

14 Harry Grant

15 Moeaki Fotuaika

16 Joe Ofahengaue

17 Jaydn Su’A

Reserves: 18 AJ Brimson, 19 Coen Hess, 20 Kyle Feldt.

NSW official team for State of Origin Game 1

1. James Tedesco (c)

2. Brian To’o

3. Latrell Mitchell

4. Tom Trbojevic

5. Josh Addo-Carr

6. Jarome Luai

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Daniel Saifiti

9. Damien Cook

10. Jake Trbojevic

11. Cameron Murray

12. Tariq Sims

13. Isaah Yeo

14. Jack Wighton

15. Junior Paulo

16. Payne Haas

17. Liam Martin

18. Apisai Koroisau

19. Campbell Graham