Maroons utility Ezra Mam is in grave danger of losing his spot on the Queensland bench for their must-win State of Origin II clash against NSW, after being axed by the Broncos for their Round 14 clash against the Titans.
In a potential boost for the Maroons, Michael Maguire’s shock decision to axe Mam could also open the door for Reece Walsh to earn an Origin recall to help the Maroons save the series in Origin II.
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Walsh was a surprise omission for the series opener, with many surprised coach Billy Slater would overlook the star fullback.
Slater’s surprise decision to choose Mam on his six-man bench ahead of Walsh was further spotlighted when starting fullback Kalyn Ponga was sent off in the 57th minute of Queensland’s 22-20 loss to the Blues.
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Walsh would have been the perfect contingency for Ponga, but instead Mam and Gehamat Shibasaki – Queensland’s 18th and 19th men – were not activated by Slater, who played four forwards off interchange.
But now he could go from outcast to potential match breaker for Queensland if Slater opts to pick the 2025 Clive Churchill medal winner on the Maroons bench for Origin II.
Should Billy Slater recall Reece Walsh for Game II?
In other injury news, Maroons duo Pat Carrigan (ankle) and Gehamat Shibasaki (knee) have been ruled out of Origin II. Carrigan’s injury could see the likes of Moeaki Fotuaika, Corey Horsburgh, Tom Gilbert or Kulikefu Finefeuiaki come into contention for a bench spot, while Shibasaki’s injury could open the door for the likes of AJ Brimson, Valentine Holmes, Jaxon Purdue or Phillip Sami.
DOLPHINS’ MAROONS AUDITION
Dolphins duo Gilbert and Finefeuiaki are set to go head-to-head in the race to replace Carrigan.
A two-game Maroons representative, Gilbert is a hardworking, grinding style of forward that can play edge or middle and is averaging 90m and 33 tackles a game this season.
The explosive Finefeuiaki was Queensland’s 20th man in Game One after impressing Slater with his average of 142m and 33 tackles this year.
The Maroons will have to adapt their game plan with a new team and the Dolphins duo will present their final claims for selection in Saturday’s clash with the Cowboys in Townsville.
Gilbert said he wanted to return to the Origin arena.
“I always want to play for Queensland,” he said.
Who would you pick for Origin 2?
“I have always been vocal about it and it has been one of the driving reasons why I keep turning up each day and keep coming back from injuries.
“I was disappointed not to play and get picked (for Game One) but the more I reflected on it the more I realised there were probably too many errors in my game at the moment. I need to fix them and I need to fix them on a consistent basis.
Finefeuiaki, 22, has been on Slater’s radar for the past two years and would give Queensland a damaging ballrunner off the interchange.
Gilbert said his Dolphins teammate was in strong form.
“It depends which way they want to go,” Gilbert said.
“He has got a great carry and hasn’t let us down in defence as well.
“I know ‘Kuli’ is chomping at the bit. He talks about what he is learning in the camps and that is a huge bonus for his development and us as a group.
– Travis Meyn
HOW NSW COACH LAURIE DALEY WILL REPLACE INJURED BLUES STARS
—Michael Carayannis
Wests Tigers veteran Api Koroisau has put his hand up to replace the injured Blayke Brailey after NSW coach Laurie Daley said the race was down to three to partner Reece Robson in Origin III.
Koroisau, Wayde Egan and Connor Watson are in line to earn a bench spot for NSW following Brailey’s broken arm.
Koroisau is the front-runner to add to his four Origin appearances after a star-studded start to the season. Suspension all but ruled him out of Origin contention however he is now back in the frame.
NSW Blues bench hooker Blayke Brailey has been ruled out of Origin II with a broken arm.
Koroisau played his first game since round eight in the Tigers’ 22-16 win against Canterbury on Saturday night.
He played 56 minutes and finished with 33 tackles in a solid showing.
Koroisau leads the field to partner Robson. It comes after Egan was told to pack extra bags in case he was selected ahead of Origin I whilst Watson’s five game consecutive Origin streak came to an end in game one.
“All three of those guys will be in the conversation,” Daley said. “Whoever can play well between now and when we select the side may well find themselves on that bench.
Apisai Koroisau is the frontrunner to replace Brailey on the Blues’ bench. Picture: Getty Images
“For us it’s very important. (We) saw the impact of Blayke. If you get momentum in today’s game from dummy half and put pressure on the opposition that was a real strength.
“There is an opportunity there for someone if they play well in the next couple of weeks.”
Long-term NSW players Payne Haas and Liam Martin will make their return from injuries on Sunday as they push their case for an Origin recall.