By Nick Wright
David Fifita’s exploits in dismantling the Brisbane Broncos have not been enough to force his way into the State of Origin arena, in a shock decision by Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater.
Fifita was at his dominant best on Sunday afternoon as his Gold Coast Titans chased down their “big brother” rivals in a 36-34 triumph – setting up two tries and running for 233 metres with six tackle busts.
David Fifita is assessed for a head injury during the Titans’ win over the Broncos.Credit: NRL Photos
His teammate Moeaki Fotuaika, who has been named on the Maroons bench, described the 24-year-old as “a different animal out there”, while Queensland lock Pat Carrigan stressed “when he puts on a Queensland jersey, he won’t let anyone down”.
But Slater told a media pack on Monday morning he believed Fifita was yet to showcase the standards he hit in 2023, despite his recent masterclass.
“Dave created a really high standard for his footy last year, he just hasn’t quite got to that standard this year,” Slater said.
“I spoke to Dave last night, he’s taken the disappointing news like a true Queenslander and wishes the best for the footy team.
David Fifita is a surprise omission from the Maroons’ State of Origin squad for Game One.Credit: Getty
“He further reiterated that with a text message after, so I’ve got no doubt Dave will get back to the footy he played last year, and I’m sure he’ll wear a Maroon jersey in the future.”
A part of last year’s series victory, Fifita has run for more than 100 metres in all but one of his nine games this year – on that occasion, 99 metres against Manly.
But while 2023 back-row partner Jeremiah Nanai has retained his place, having rediscovered the try-scoring brilliance that dazzled onlookers in his rookie season, Fifita was unable to fend off a challenge from St George-Illawarra Dragons gun Jaydn Su’A.
Nanai scored seven tries in his past five games, despite the inconsistent showings of his North Queensland Cowboys, while Su’A earned a recall to the Origin stage for the first time since 2021, after he had what Slater described as “obviously, a really big preseason”.
Even in the extended squad, Fifita was beaten to the punch by 18th man Felise Kaufusi.
It is not the first time Slater has dropped a selection bombshell on the eve of a series, having overlooked Queensland veterans Dane Gagai, Kurt Capewell and Kaufusi last year.
Parramatta Eels standout J’Maine Hopgood has won a debut off the interchange, with Slater revealing the lock “went silent” on the other end of the call as he received the news.
Slater praised him as “more than a high workrate player” as he sits equal second in the competition for offloads, with 21.
Tom Dearden has beaten Ezra Mam to the five-eighth jumper vacated by the injured Cameron Munster, with Slater declaring “you don’t have to watch Tommy too long to understand what he brings to a footy team”.
Selwyn Cobbo has been named in jersey No.17 to provide coverage in the outside backs, and while Slater hinted a new role could be created for the Broncos livewire, ultimately a concerning recent history worked in his favour.
“Four of the last six Origin games we’ve had to replace an outside back, so certainly a bit of cover, but at the same time Selwyn can play various positions – we might even create one for him, who knows?” Slater said.
“Selwyn’s a wonderful player, he’s a big lad, he’s very capable … we’ll build what’s best for the team, but that might be taken out of our hands.
“We’ll build that plan as the week goes on, but he’s a wonderful player, and we’ve only seen the surface of what Selwyn can do.”
Queensland Maroons Game One 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;
14. Harry Grant;
15. Moeaki Fotuaika;
16. J’Maine Hopgood;
17. Selwyn Cobbo;
18. Felise Kaufusi;
19. Brendan Piakura;
20. Ezra Mam