Broncos debutant, NRL star to come out of Origin retirement for Qld Maroons in Game 3

Billy Slater is set to make a pair of shock selection calls for the State of Origin decider, calling upon a debutant and a retired star.

Matthew Sullivan

3 min read

June 30, 2025 - 8:11AM

Queensland are reportedly set to make a pair of stunning selection calls for the State of Origin decider, with Billy Slater handing out an Origin debut and calling upon a veteran prop for Game 3.

According to Code Sports, Slater will name Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki in the centres for the Origin decider as he looks to reshuffle his backline following Kalyn Ponga’s foot injury.

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It’s a sensational story for Shibasaki who was playing Japanese rugby just three years ago and began this year at the Broncos on a train and trial deal.

The 26-year-old centre is in excellent form for the Broncos this season — he scored two tries in Brisbane’s win over the Warriors on Saturday.

Shibasaki will partner Robert Toia in one of the most inexperienced centre pairings seen at Origin level.

Valentine Holmes will switch to the wing and Hamiso Tabui-Fidow will be named at fullback, with Reece Walsh at 18th man.

Queensland’s brains trust had a marathon selection meeting on Sunday and ultimately there wasn’t room in the team for Walsh, with Slater cautious of the ongoing knee injury he is managing.

Gehamat Shibasaki (left) has earned an Origin debut for the series decider. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, veteran prop Josh Papalii is also expected to come out of Origin retirement and be named on Maroons coach Billy Slater’s team sheet on Monday morning.

The 33-year-old played 23 games for Queensland from 2013 to 2022 and was seen as Queensland’s most intimidating enforcers.

Papalii, who has also played 11 Tests for Australia and 10 Tests for Samoa, announced his retirement from representative football in 2023 when he knew he was going to be overlooked for Origin selection.

The beloved prop is enjoying a fairytale season, having recently scored in his 300th NRL game for Canberra as the Raiders chase their first premiership in 31 years.

Josh Papalii is back for the Maroons. Photo: Adam Head.

His strong form at club level has put him back on Slater’s radar and Papalii is tipped to start for Queensland in Game 3 in Sydney on July 9.

Papalii is being backed to start the game with a 25-minute burst at prop alongside Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

Code Sports reports Titans prop Mo Fotuaika is set to be dropped to make way for Papalii’s unlikely return to Queensland’s starting side.

The shock selection call will add grunt and fear factor to the Maroons, who are aiming to clinch an unlikely series win and claim a third Origin shield in four years.

The surprise selection news is in stark contrast to NSW, who have named an unchanged 17 for Game 3.

NSW’s forward pack came under scrutiny in Perth, with Max King’s position at starting prop under question following the injury to Mitch Barnett that left a hole in the team.

Stefano Utoikamanu’s spot in the team was also seen as under threat, but Daley has stuck to his guns, ignoring calls to bring Rabbitohs gun Keaon Koloamatangi or Tigers recruit Terrell May in to do a job at prop.

Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said on SEN after Game 2: “Stefano Utoikamanu is gone. I’m rubbing him out for Game 3. Max King is not a starting Origin front rower. So there’s a starting front rower spot up for grabs for NSW.

“I don’t think you can go with the same starting 13 again. You can’t go with Max King if you’re only giving him that many minutes.”

Daley has reportedly added Sharks second rower Teig Wilton and Parramatta forward Jack Williams to the extended squad for the 10-day camp before the decider at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. Gold Coast’s Brian Kelly has also been added to the squad.

NSW coach Laurie Daley is sticking to his guns. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

That trio aren’t expected to be included in the final 20-man squad but will come into camp as experience and to run opposition at NSW training.

On top of those two additions, Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa has been brought into NSW’s squad as insurance for Nathan Cleary, who is managing a thigh/groin injury.

Katoa, 21, has been in blistering form for the Dolphins and has been given the nod over Broncos veteran Adam Reynolds as the back-up halfback.

Brian To’o, Jarome Luai and Payne Haas have all been cleared to play.

PREDICTED QUEENSLAND TEAM — to be named Monday 9am AEST

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2. Xavier Coates

3. Robert Toia

4. Gehamat Shibasaki

5. Valentine Holmes

6. Cameron Munster (c)

7. Tom Dearden

8. Moeaki Fotuaika/Josh Papalii/Lindsay Collins

9. Harry Grant