Bombshell as Slater set to snub Fifita for Queensland Origin

Queensland coach Billy Slater is set to make some massive calls for Origin 1, including the axing of a star incumbent back-rower.

Billy Slater and David Fifita.

Billy Slater is set to axe incumbent back-rower David Fifita, while Tom Dearden is reportedly set to replace Cameron Munster in the No.6 jersey for Queensland’s Origin I side.

Meanwhile, Selwyn Cobbo is reportedly being considered for a bench role.

The reports come as new NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire announced a shock team for the series opener with six debutants.

Slater is dealing with a few big injury headaches ahead of the opener at Accor Stadium. With the Maroons set to be without some major names for Game 1, with Cameron Munster unavailable, while Tom Gilbert and Tino Fa’asuamalaeui have suffered season-ending injuries.

Tom Flegler (shoulder), meanwhile, is also expected to miss the entire series, as is the case for Kalyn Ponga (Lisfranc injury) and AJ Brimson (groin).

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The injury to Munster leaves North Queensland co-captain Dearden as the leading contender to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves, although last year’s grand final hat-trick standout Ezra Mam is another option.

Elsewhere, the injuries up front could see Parramatta’s J’Maine Hopgood and Brisbane’s Corey Jensen make their State of Origin debuts.

Plenty of players remain on edge over a place in the squad. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

There were concerns Reece Walsh could be in doubt after missing Brisbane’s game last week with a knee injury, but he was named to play on Sunday and will line up at fullback if he gets through unscathed.

The news came as Andrew Johns dropped rumours about James Tedesco’s apparent axing from the NSW side.

Debate about Tedesco’s inclusion in Maguire’s team has raged this month with Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards continuing to push his case for the No. 1 NSW jumper with impressive recent form.

The Blues have been left in a selection mess with the tough calls set to go down to the wire before Maguire announces his team on Sunday night.

On top of injuries to superstars Nathan Cleary, Tom Trbojevic, Cody Walker, Mitchell Moses, Bradman Best and Cameron Murray, late drama continues to swirl around Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes.

Billy Slater and David Fifita.

The Sharks playmaker failed to play the full 80 minutes of his team’s loss to the Panthers on Saturday and is reported to have undergone scans for an ongoing calf muscle issue on Sunday.

The most contentious call, however, will surround Blues captain Tedesco.

Johns said on Channel 9’s Sunday Footy Show, the call has been made.

The rugby league Immortal also said he personally would select Tedesco because of his experience in a NSW team that is expected to look very different from the one that fell short last year in Brad Fittler’s final series in charge.

Johns shared comments made by leading NRL reporter Michael Chammas, suggesting the Blues have made the big change to put Edwards at the back.

“Dylan Edwards, the mail is he’s in,” Johns said.

“Chammas just said when he left. He said pretty much they’re going to pick Dylan Edwards which is a real surprise.”

Originally published as Bombshell as Slater set to snub Fifita for Queensland Origin