How Queensland Maroons will look in State of Origin game one if selected on form
With Reece Walsh ruled out, Kalyn Ponga is all but guaranteed to be Queensland fullback — but should he be? The No.1 jersey is one of the many surprises as we reveal how the Maroons would look if selected on form.
With Reece Walsh all but out of Origin I, Kalyn Ponga is guaranteed the fullback spot.
But should he be?
If the numbers are anything to go by, Dolphins star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow should beat them both to the No.1 jumper.
But fullback is one of a number of contentions calls for Billy Slater in their chase to reclaim the State of Origin shield.
HOW NSW BLUES WILL LOOK IF PICKED ON FORM
How do you fit Daly Cherry Evans, Cameron Munster, Ben Hunt and Tom Dearden all in the same team? And are there enough middles to compete with a monster NSW pack?
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If the Maroons team is to be picked on form, this is it.
1. HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW
The Hammer has blown his rivals out of the water.
He’s making a habit out of winning contested bombs in the opposition red-zone, and breaks tackles for fun, with a 43 total that sits second-best among fullbacks, behind only James Tedesco. Teams can only hope against the Dolphins’ weapon, who has an uncanny ability to make a game winning play out of nothing and provide a scoring threat from anywhere on the field.
2. MURRAY TAULAGI
A slow start for North Queensland this year, but the team has found its form over recent rounds, and so has their star finisher in Murray Taulagi. With seven tries and 12 line breaks, there is zero doubt that if his Queensland playmakers are able to put him in position to score, it’s an all-but certain four pointer.
3. SELWYN COBBO
Cobbo has scored five times in eight games this season for the Broncos, and coming off an impressive performance at fullback against the top of the table Bulldogs, he’s proven he can play anywhere in the backline for Queensland. Cobbo finds himself in the centres for this year’s series, bringing plenty of threat to Queensland’s edge attack, particularly under the high ball. His ability to provide effective yardage carries out of the red zone will be pivotal for the Maroons.
4. VALENTINE HOLMES
Some thought Holmes’ career in rep footy might’ve been over when he departed North Queensland at the end of 2024, but he’s impressed in his early Dragons career. With instrumental defensive reads and razzle-dazzle attacking football, Holmes has proven to be key for the Dragons.
5. XAVIER COATES
Coates remains one of the most remarkable finishers in the competition. While he is highly regarded for his high flying antics, it’s his kick returns and carries out of yardage that make him the ideal State of Origin winger. Boasting 25 kick returns for 288 total metres, as well as his 7 tries and 38 tackle breaks, there’ll be no snaking him out of a Maroons jumper.
6. CAMERON MUNSTER
Queensland’s golden boy, the prodigal son.
Coming off an injury-riddled 2024, Munster has shown glimpses of his peak form, which has been enough to steer the Storm into the top four. Still deceitful with the ball, still superb in support, and still bolstering an effective goal-line kicking game.
7. DALY CHERRY-EVANS
He’s captained his club, his state and his country – Cherry Evans is the level-headed leader that is needed for the penultimate rivalry of the sport. He bolsters an A+ long kicking game and leads the league in forced dropouts (8), but DCE’s most dangerous asset is his mind. He’s always got an eye on his opposition’s shortside, and has no problem throwing away an entire attacking structure to run and take on lazy defenders.
8. TINO FA’ASUAMALEAUI
He’s the answer to an intimidating NSW forward pack that rampaged a Tino-less Queensland side last season. Sorely missed for Queensland in 2024, Fa’asuamaleaui has returned and provided his elite level go-forward, running for 941 metres in his seven games this season. His return could almost single-handedly give the Maroons the edge in the middle.
9. REED MAHONEY
With Harry Grant currently out, he is out of contention for this list. Mahoney on the other hand is playing, and playing well. The burrowing hooker is tied for most try assists of any hooker in the competition and has the mongrel suited for Origin.
10. PAT CARRIGAN
Pat Carrigan’s transformation to an out-and-out front-rower has been seamless, elevating his status as one of the best middles in the competition. Among all props this season, Carrigan is second in minutes played (595), third in total runs (158), fourth in metres (1308) and third in try assists. He’s number one in line engagements (45), and his ball playing will be vital to Queensland’s success in this series.
11. BEAU FERMOR
The Titans’ best in a roller coaster of a year so far, Fermor is in line to make his Origin debut for the Maroons. He has more tries than any other Queensland back rower and the second most line breaks. In a side that is certain to have opportunities, Fermor is in the type of form that would almost certainly end in points.
12. JAYDN SU’A
A tough position for the Maroons, but Su’a is in form and has proven to do the job in the past. He’s flown under the radar at the Dragons, but Su’A ranks top three in total runs and joint-first in offloads among back-rowers. Queensland will be quietly confident with Su’a in the side.
13. REUBEN COTTER
One of the rare forwards that can compete for 80 minutes anywhere in the middle. He’s happy to take tough carries while possessing elite ball-playing abilities, and you can even do a job running lines on an edge if that’s what’s required of him.
14. BEN HUNT
While he isn’t exactly in career-best form, Hunt has still had enough moments this year to show he should remain in the Queensland side. He’s proven to be among the game’s best dummy halves, kicking well out of the ruck, and piloting a blistering ruckspeed. If Grant fails to recover in time for game I, his creativity will prove to be an absolute necessity.
15. COREY HORSBURGH
Big Red is having a career best year, and he’s outright one of the form players of the competition. Known for his fiery nature, this season Horsburgh has honed his chaotic style of football into some of the most creative attacking football the game has ever seen out of a middle forward. Hand him the green light to offload, the freedom to roam with the ball and the occasional kicking license, more often than not Horsburgh will deliver a winning play.
16. TOM GILBERT
Every rugby league fan is grateful that Gilbert is not only back to playing regular rugby league, but back to his best. He’s done his best to win games for the Dolphins this season, playing on the edge and in the middle. Gilbert has already shown in his few Origin appearances that he is made for the arena.
17. TOM DEARDEN
North Queensland’s form player. If not for Munster’s strong return, Dearden would already be the first choice No.6 for his state.
Dearden takes the ball to the line more than any other five-eighth in the competition, and has delivered six try assists and nine line break assists for the Cowboys this season.
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