Legendary Maroons enforcers Shane Webcke and Trevor Gillmeister have tipped Cowboys prop Coen Hess to return to the Queensland Origin side for the first time in six years. Hess has been in superb form alongside veteran teammate Jason Taumalolo at the Cowboys, with the rampaging middle forwards a huge reason why Todd Payten‘s side occupy a spot in the NRL‘s top-eight.
Hess is averaging 91 run metres in around 40 minutes per game for North Queensland this season, and has helped lay the platform for the Cowboys forward pack. He’s making around 23 tackles a game and even showcased a bit of attacking threat for the Cowboys, with 11 tackle busts, four offloads and a try in his first nine games.
Coen Hess (second from L) is being tipped to earn a recall for the Maroons in 2026 in what would be his first Origin appearance for Queensland in six years. Pic: Getty
But the Cowboys prop hasn’t played Origin since Game 1 of the 2020 series, when he was recalled to the Queensland back-row by Wayne Bennett. The Maroons won the series opener in Adelaide but Hess didn’t play in Games 2 or 3 and he’ll no doubt be desperate to add to his six appearances for his state in this year’s series.
The 29-year-old gets another opportunity to impress Queensland coach Billy Slater on Friday night when the Cowboys host the struggling Eels in Townsville. But Maroons legends Webcke and Gillmeister – who combined for more than 40 Origin games for Queensland during glittering careers – reckon Hess has already done enough to earn an Origin recall.
Coen Hess’ excellent form for the Cowboys this season has put him in the frame for an Origin recall for the Maroons. Pic: Getty
(Darrian Traynor via Getty Images)Maroons legends predict Origin recall for Coen Hess
Speaking on 7News in Brisbane, Webcke and Gillmeister revealed their predicted Queensland teams for the Origin opener in Sydney on May 27. Both agreed that Dolphins wrecking ball Kulikefu Finefeuiaki had sewn up a starting berth in the back-row for Slater’s Maroons, in what would be an Origin debut for the 22-year-old.
The Maroons legends both picked Tino Fa’asuamaleaui as one of the starting props. They differed slightly on who should get the nod as Tino’s front-row partner, with Gillmeister opting for the experience of Roosters prop Lindsay Collins. But the legendary Queensland forwards both agreed that Hess deserved to return to the Origin fold for Slater’s side.
“I’m glad I was never a selector because this is not easy,” Webcke told Seven after revealing his predicted Queensland side. “And I think where people might really shake their head and wonder is (Coen) Hess. But he’s been in such good form for the Cowboys.
“The other selection which warrants some thought is (Kulikefu) Finefeuiaki. But I don’t think it really does because Gilly he’s been in monumental form for the Dolphins.”
Dolphins wrecking ball Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is being widely backed to make his Origin debut in the back-row for Billy Slater’s Maroons. Pic: Getty
(Paul Kane via Getty Images)
Gillmeister replied: “Yeah he’s been outstanding hasn’t he, for the Dolphins. And I’m a bit like you I’ve put Coen Hess on the bench. Patty Carrigan had to be there (at lock).” Slater’s Maroons are hoping to defend the Origin shield after coming from behind to win last year’s series, with the teams for Game 1 set to be announced at the conclusion of Magic Round on Sunday week.