Queensland Maroons swing selection axe in Origin bombshell

Queensland coach Billy Slater has dropped the hammer with a selection bombshell ahead of the State of Origin series opener.

David Fifita axed from QLD Maroons squad. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Billy Slater hasn’t been afraid to swing the axe with the QLD Maroons coach dropping a bombshell for his State of Origin Game 1 team.

Incumbent back-rower David Fifita has been sensationally axed from the squad after playing in all three games in 2023.

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Fifita was one of the Titans’ best players as Gold Coast secured the stunning upset win over the Brisbane Broncos 36-34 at Suncorp Stadium.

But it wasn’t enough as Slater elected to go with Jeremiah Nanai and Jaydn Su’A as his starting back-row with Harry Grant, Hopgood, Mo Fotuaika and Selwyn Cobbo claiming the bench spots.

To make matters even worse for Fifita, he missed out on a spot in the extended squad with Felise Kaufusi (18th man), Brendan Piakura (19th) and Ezra Mam (20th) edging him out.

The axing comes after NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire delivered a new-look squad with six debutants named.

David Fifita axed from QLD Maroons squad. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

QLD Maroons Game 1 squad

1 Reece Walsh

2 Xavier Coates

3 Valentine Holmes

4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

5 Murray Taulagi

6 Tom Dearden

7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)

8 Reuben Cotter

9 Ben Hunt

10 Lindsay Collins

11 Jaydn Su’A

12 Jeremiah Nanai

13 Pat Carrigan

Bench

14 Harry Grant

15 Moeaki Fotuaika

16 J’Maine Hopgood

17 Selwyn Cobbo

Reserves: 18. Felise Kaufusi, 19. Brendan Piakura, 20. Ezra Mam

Billy swung the axe. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Former Blues coach Brad Fittler spoke about the Blues squad shortly after it was announced with the NRL great believing Maguire has done a good job with his decisions.

“He hasn’t been given that jumper, he has absolutely gone out and taken it himself,” Fittler said on Channel 9.

“So congratulations to Dylan Edwards. There are some surprises. (Joseph) Sua’ali’i is a surprise to me.

“Spencer Leniu, I think he will do a fantastic job and Origin will suit him, but that’s a surprise.

“(Haumole) Olakau’atu deserves his spot. (Cam) McInnes, once again, he seems like an Origin type of player. But starting in front of Isaah Yeo, there are a lot of new players there.

“And with a new coach, it’s the time to do it. It’s a good team, they’ve all earned their positions, so well done and good luck to the boys.”