Queensland players face the axe as Maroons look to save State of Origin series

Maroons coach Billy Slater is under pressure to save the Origin series after a crushing Queensland loss, and some star players could be about to pay the price.

Daly Cherry-Evans is fighting for his Maroons future and Billy Slater is under pressure to salvage another Origin series after Queensland produced another Suncorp Stadium shocker.

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns believes Cherry-Evans is in the crosshairs, declaring Slater needs to “pull the trigger” on the Maroons captain.

The Maroons will head west next month needing to win their first State of Origin game in Perth after being bashed 18-6 by the Blues before 52,483 on Wednesday night.

Is time up for Maroons halfback Daly Cherry-Evans? Picture: NRL Imagery

Slater has now overseen a Queensland team that has suffered back-to-back defeats in Brisbane for the first time in 27 years.

In doing so the Maroons have only scored one try across their past 160 minutes of Origin footy.

The Origin coaching honeymoon is well and truly over for Slater.

After winning five of his first seven games in charge of the Maroons, and back-to-back series, Slater has now lost his past three matches.

The nature of the defeats has put Slater under pressure to make career-defining selection decisions.

Halfback Cherry-Evans became the oldest player in Origin history when he ran out for his 26th game at the age of 36 years and 97 days.

Cherry-Evans had an off night but he wasn’t on his own. His halves partner Cameron Munster missed nine tackles. Dearden missed six even though he played a fraction of the game.

Of more concern is Queensland’s attack, which was dreadful for the second consecutive game.

After failing to score a try in last year’s Suncorp decider, the Maroons’ only four-pointer came courtesy of Jeremiah Nanai forcing an error on Latrell Mitchell.

Cherry-Evans has refused to put an end date on his Origin career and it’s hard to see Slater overlooking his skipper for the must-win game in Perth on June 18.

But his time in Maroon is nearing an end, especially with Tom Dearden nipping at his heels.

Johns is adamant Slater needs to make the call now.

“Probably big decisions to be made by Billy,” Johns said.

“No one beats father time and DCE is (36). They have to pull the trigger and bring Dearden in.

“I think there has to be changes. The big one is Dearden — whether they pull the trigger on Dearden.”

Cherry-Evans said it was natural for there to be speculation about his future after a loss.

“With losing comes the questions,” Cherry-Evans said.

“We’ve opened ourselves up to these sorts of questions.

“I’d love the opportunity to come back and correct it.”

Starting prop Moeaki Fotuaika was selected ahead of raging Raiders redhead Corey Horsburgh and didn’t fire, finishing with just four runs for 37m. Debutant Trent Loiero only made 40m.

Winger Valentine Holmes has been a safe bet in 20 Origin games but is no certain selection.

Workhorse Reuben Cotter offers little in attack on the left edge and debutant Beau Fermor, in explosive form for the Titans, sat on the bench for 65 minutes.

We knew on paper it was a mismatch and the Maroons had to be perfect. They were far from that.

Slater said he didn’t believe Queensland’s personnel was the problem.

“You sit down and review it, take a breath and let the players go back and play footy,” Slater said.

“I definitely don’t think it’s a personnel thing. I know what this team’s capable of.

“They haven’t played their best footy. I feel responsible to help them get there.”

The half-time statistics painted a grim picture following a diabolical effort from the Maroons in the opening 40 minutes.

They were simply too sloppy and ill-disciplined – typified by hooker Harry Grant’s error-riddled performance.

The penalty count was 6-2 in favour of the Blues at the break. The Maroons missed 27 tackles compared to NSW’s 11.

That meant the run metres were 877-543 in NSW’s favour and wingers Zac Lomax and Brian To’o capitalised with three first half tries between them.

Queensland’s middle was absolutely monstered in the opening exchanges.

After 20 minutes, Blues props Payne Haas and Mitch Barnett had a combined 15 carries for 109m.

At the same time, Maroons duo Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Fotuaika had made just four runs for 28m.

It was a no-contest.

The Blues were too big, powerful and mobile. Haas tore the Maroons apart with 11 carries before having an early rest.

If not for Nathan Cleary having an off-night with the boot, the Blues could have burst out to a 20-nil lead. They were by far the better team, but let Queensland back into the contest with a sloppy second half.

Still, the Maroons couldn’t strike.

Slater had a saloon run in his first two Origin series before the Maroons train derailed last year.

This was an opportunity to get Queensland back on track and his Maroons failed. It’s now time to take a serious look at the future of this team.

Originally published as Queensland players face the axe as Maroons look to save State of Origin series