Queensland Maroons name squad for State of Origin Game II vs NSW Blues

The Queensland Maroons have dropped a selection bombshell with a hero from the series opener sensationally left out of the squad.

Broncos Flegler, Cobbo, Walsh and Carrigan

The Queensland Maroons have been forced into multiple changes to their squad for Game 2 of the State of Origin series.

Injuries have forced J’maine Hopgood out of the team after he sustained a back injury and missed the Parramatta Eels’ round 15 clash.

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But it’s the shock omission of Game 1 hero Selwyn Cobbo that really shakes up Billy Slater’s squad.

Cobbo came off the bench and tore the NSW Blues apart in Game 1. Despite his heroics he’s officially out of the squad with mystery surrounding his omission.

In better news for the Maroons, Reece Walsh is reportedly set to be cleared of concussion and will be free to take his place at the MCG, according to the Courier Mail.

Selwyn Cobbo is out for Game 2 while Reece Walsh and Pat Carrigan are available.

9.40am (AEST) - Billy Slater addresses Cobbo omission

Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has said the shock omission of Selwyn Cobbo has come down to the fact he’s simply not 100 per cent.

“Selwyn is not quite 100 per cent at the moment,” Slater said on Monday morning.

“He’s been playing with injections and that sort of stuff... collective with a few things he would like to work on in his game, we thought it was best Selwyn have a rest.

“I felt this was the best thing for him and for the team.

“I have a great relationship with Selwyn and I had a lengthy and deep dicussion with him yesterday, we’re on the same page.”

9am - Maroons lock in Game II squad

Billy Slater has locked in his squad for the second game in the 2024 State of Origin series with Selwyn Cobbo officially missing out.

Mystery surrounds his omission with Slater set to front the media this morning and talk about the team selection.

Reece Walsh is officially back for the Maroons with Kurt Capewell earning another Origin shot.

Dane Gagai has earned a recall as part of three changes to the extended bench with young guns Heilum Luki and Trent Loiero earning a spot.

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. Patrick Carrigan

14. Harry Grant

15. Moeaki Fotuaika

16. Felise Kaufusi

17. Kurt Capewell

18. Dane Gagai

19. Heilum Luki

20. Trent Loiero

No room for Selwyn Cobbo. NRL Photos

8.15am - Cobbo out after Game 1 heroics

Selwyn Cobbo is set to miss out on the trip to Melbourne with veteran Kurt Capewell to take his spot in the squad.

It remains unclear if Cobbo has been axed or if he picked up an injury during the Bronco’s loss to the Rabbitohs on Friday.

As rumours swirl, the Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said Cobbo had not appeared in official injury reports and suggested on Monday’s Big Sports Breakfast there could be a “big story” behind the omission of one of the squad’s true ‘X-Factor’ players.

J’maine Hopgood is the other change so far for the Maroons with the Eels lock sustaining a back injury.

Felise Kaufusi will take Hopgood’s spot in the 17.

David Fifita remains nowhere to be seen in Slater’s squad despite being considered one of the best forwards in the NRL.

8.10am - Walsh cleared to return

Reece Walsh’s concussion stand-down period is over and the star fullback is reportedly set and ready to retun to the Origin cauldron.

Walsh’s club and Origin doctor reportedly is confident the fullback will have no issues passing cognitive testing meaning.

“Of course Billy will select him,” Kevin Walters said.

“Reece is good. He is doing all the protocols with the HIAs (Head Injury Assessments) and he will be fine to go for Origin II.”

Reece Walsh is back for the Maroons. Picture: Liam Kidston

6.45am - Maroons out to snap 29-year MCG hoodoo

A dominant Game 1 victory means little for the Maroons as they prepare to venture into the MCG, a stadium where they’ve had a dismal record.

Five State of Origin contests have taken place at the home of the AFL with Queensland only winning once.

The last victory came 29 years ago.

“It’s Origin, it’s going to be hard no matter where we play,” Cherry-Evans said of Queensland’s MCG hoodoo.

“We know the desperation that comes out in a side that is 1-0 down.

“We will be aware of that, but we also have to refine our game.

“There’s improvement in both sides.

“Because we lost Reece, there was stuff that we didn’t get to show that we want to show in Origin II.

“The quality naturally goes up in each game of the series and we’re hoping to do that.”

6.30am - NSW Blues Game II squad

Blues coach Michael Maguire announced his squad for Game 2 on Sunday night and it came with mass changes including the axing of Nicho Hynes and the inclusion of Latrell Mitchell.

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Brian To’o

3. Stephen Crichton

4. Latrell Mitchell

5. Zac Lomax

6. Jarome Luai

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Jake Trbojevic (c)

9. Reece Robson

10. Payne Haas

11. Liam Martin

12. Angus Crichton

13. Cameron Murray

14. Connor Watson

15. Isaah Yeo

16. Haumole Olakau’atu

17. Spencer Leniu

18. Mitchell Barnett

19. Cameron McInnes

20. Luke Keary

Originally published as Queensland Maroons name squad for State of Origin Game II vs NSW Blues