{"id":677801,"date":"2026-05-18T02:52:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T02:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/677801\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T02:52:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T02:52:14","slug":"state-of-origin-winners-and-losers-from-queensland-maroons-team-reece-walsh-misses-out-billy-slater-explains-selections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/677801\/","title":{"rendered":"State of Origin: Winners and Losers from Queensland Maroons team, Reece Walsh misses out, Billy Slater explains selections"},"content":{"rendered":"

Billy Slater has named his squad for Game 1 of the 2026 State of Origin series<\/a>, with big changes as the Queensland Maroons look to retain the shield for another year.<\/p>\n

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Reece Walsh was unlucky to miss out as was a host of Cowboys, but both North Queensland and the Broncos could be surprise winnders from Monday\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n

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Here are the winners and losers from Monday\u2019s squad announcement!<\/p>\n

WINNERS<\/p>\n

Kalyn Ponga<\/p>\n

Slater has proven time and again that he isn\u2019t afraid to make bold calls as Queensland\u2019s leader, but many will be watching his choice of fullback very closely in Game I.<\/p>\n

Slater\u2019s decision to snub Brisbane superstar Reece Walsh at fullback in favour of Kalyn Ponga is perhaps the biggest selection call of the Queensland side. However, one thing that cannot be denied is Ponga\u2019s irresistible club form at Newcastle.<\/p>\n

After battling with injury early in the season, Ponga\u2019s presence at the Knights has been irrefutable in recent weeks.<\/p>\n

His Queensland resume reads similarly, offering Slater no choice but the pick him as the Maroons number one.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is difficult but we\u2019ve all seen what Kalyn has done not only in this side but in his return when he has played for the Knights this year,\u201d Slater said of the decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has been in exceptional form, I feel Kalyn\u2019s best position is fullback. He\u2019s really nailed it and he\u2019s in a real sweet spot of his career and life at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE ORIGIN NEWS<\/p>\n

BLUES SQUAD: Blues champion axed, Teddy call confirmed as Daley names seven new faces<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNERS & LOSERS: Daley\u2019s biggest snub… and surprise; debutant to \u2018scare\u2019 QLD<\/a><\/p>\n

How Walsh reacted to missing Origin | 01:11<\/p>\n

Sam Walker<\/p>\n

With incumbent halfback Tom Dearden suffering a serious ankle injury and ruling himself out for the Origin series, Slater has had plenty to contemplate around his playmakers.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, it is Sam Walker who finally gets his Origin shot.<\/p>\n

The Roosters halfback will make his debut alongside Cameron Munster in the halves, edging out his club teammate and former Queensland staple Daly Cherry-Evans for the role.<\/p>\n

Walker has been pivotal at the Roosters, where he has eased into a fresh partnership alongside DCE and fellow new recruit Reece Robson this season.<\/p>\n

According to Slater, Walker topped a list of credentialed candidates that included Jake Clifford and even shifting Ponga into the halves.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019d be doing your due diligence and respecting all your options as coach, but we really feel confident about Sam Walker being the best option,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know how much he loves this state, growing up in Ipswich\u2026 I can\u2019t wait to see him in camp, he\u2019s an infectious lad. I\u2019m looking forward to helping him get his game on, and I know he\u2019ll unlock plenty of the players around him as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Max Plath<\/p>\n

While his father, John Plath, retired as the most-capped Broncos player never to play representative football, Max has achieved something his father was unable to do in just four years.<\/p>\n

A true jack of all trades, Plath has had to take the long road to earn his State of Origin debut.<\/p>\n

The versatile Plath had established himself as a regular first-grader for the Dolphins after spending the 2023 season in Queensland Cup, but had his breakout 2025 campaign cut short by an ACL injury. <\/p>\n

Plath attacked his rehabilitation with the same determination and vigour that he applies to all of his carries on the field, returning three weeks ahead of schedule. <\/p>\n

He quickly regained his starting spot for the Dolphins this season and has been one of the team\u2019s most consistent performers. While he has made a name for himself at hooker, he is capable of playing lock, second row and even in the halves.<\/p>\n

PRESS CONFERENCES<\/p>\n

SLATER SPEAKS: Blunt reply to Munster question… and reveal on \u2018emotional\u2019 phone call<\/a><\/p>\n

DALEY SPEAKS: Blues coach answers big Radley question, opens up on brutal phone call<\/a><\/p>\n

Plath has achieved something his father was unable to do.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

That kind of versatility will make Plath a valuable weapon off the bench for Billy Slater, but it is toughness through the middle of the park and slick service from dummy-half that stands out most. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s special,\u201d former Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson said of Plath on Fox League. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a newfound appreciation for him. I saw him a few weeks ago in New Zealand when the Warriors played him but tonight in particular… they are a few players in the comp, and I\u2019ve been fortunate enough to play alongside them, that actually make your job as a half easier. <\/p>\n

\u201cI watched the service he gave Issy Katoa tonight and Tohu Harris comes to mind for me and how it can free you up as a half. That\u2019s what I\u2019m seeing from Issy Katoa. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just the barge, the bull terrier type get in there and do a job. We need you to play multiple roles, we need you to service multiple players and a player that can make your job easier, they\u2019re the ones you want in your side.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw what he was doing for Issy Katoa tonight, freeing him up \u2014 a truly special stint.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘Tough call’ Why Tedesco was picked | 01:01<\/p>\n

Tom Flegler<\/p>\n

Nearly three years after last playing for the QLD Maroons, Thomas Flegler has been handed a magical recall back into the Origin arena.<\/p>\n

Suffering a serious shoulder injury in Round 5 of the 2024 season, there were fears that he had played his final rugby league match and would be set for an early retirement. <\/p>\n

However, after multiple nerve damage complications and nerve-transfer surgery, Flegler made his remarkable return to the field at the start of the year.<\/p>\n

While many could have easily given up on their dream, the front-rower remained determined to make his comeback, which has now led to donning the Maroons jersey once again.<\/p>\n

Known for his consistency, hard work, and never-say-die attitude out on the field, the 26-year-old has averaged 95 running metres per game in nine matches to go with nine tackle busts, eight offloads, 170 tackles (at a near 100 per cent efficiency) and 319.9 post-contact metres.<\/p>\n

Two years ago, there were fears Flegler would never play again.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a long time coming,\u201d Flegler said at the start of this year before making his long-awaited return.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was doubt in terms of how successful the surgery was going to be, but I was very hopeful the whole time.<\/p>\n

\u201cLuckily, it went pretty well. I\u2019ve had a reasonably good recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Briton Nikora<\/p>\n

Like New South Wales, Queensland benefits from new eligibility rules this year which effectively widens Billy Slater\u2019s selection window.<\/p>\n

Under the changes, players can now choose to play for New Zealand or England without compromising their Origin status, so long as they are already eligible for New South Wales or Queensland. To be eligible, the player must have lived in NSW or Queensland prior to their 13th birthday, or had their father play for either state.<\/p>\n

The chief beneficiary in this instance is Briton Nikora. The 15-time Kiwi international will debut for the Maroons in Game I, injecting some spice into the Queensland pack from the bench.<\/p>\n

Nikora has some big plaudits for his run of form at Cronulla; chief among them, former Shark and Fox analyst Michael Ennis.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great story, Briton Nikora,\u201d Ennis said. \u201cHe was stuck up on the Gold Coast, not many people noticing him, brought himself down to Cronulla for a train and trial but then all of a sudden was noticed, elevated into their Under 20s side. He\u2019s one of the best back rowers… Billy Slater loves the line running and physicality he runs with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former New Zealand international Shaun Johnson said of Nikora: \u201cHe was a rookie coming through punching onto these lines that I\u2019d never experienced before. You\u2019re blessed to play with some back rowers who can really stiffen a defensive line and square it up for you and create space for your outside men. He was one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘Gives me chills thinking about it’ | 01:22<\/p>\n

Broncos<\/p>\n

State of Origin poses as something of an annual inconvenience at the Brisbane Broncos, whose depth is usually heavily tested with the loss of several stars into the Queensland side.<\/p>\n

The Origin factor still remains for 2026 \u2013 with Pat Carrigan, Ezra Mam and Gehamat Shibasaki named in the 20-man QLD squad \u2013 however the injury-depleted Broncos will take some comfort in not losing Walsh for Game I.<\/p>\n

Walsh was sensationally overlooked for Ponga as Queensland fullback, meaning he can continue to concentrate on his club duties as the Broncos continue their shaky premiership defence.<\/p>\n

With so many injuries this year, Walsh\u2019s inclusion at Brisbane comes as a big bonus as the side plots a mid-season revival around their upcoming bye, Dragons and Titans clashes.<\/p>\n

Another silver lining for the Broncos this year is that with such a heavy injury toll at the beginning of the season, the men who are stepping into fill the Origin aren\u2019t doing so for the first time this year.<\/p>\n

Selwyn Cobbo<\/p>\n

Dolphins star Selwyn Cobbo is one of the good news stories within Billy Slater\u2019s Queensland side for Origin I.<\/p>\n

Cobbo was dropped from the Queensland rotation for the second game of the 2024 series, with officials citing a combination of form, niggling injuries and a need for the winger to take a mental break from Origin duties.<\/p>\n

However, the 23-year-old has been sensational for the in-form Dolphins throughout 2026, leading Slater to recall him back on the Queensland wing where he replaces injured Xavier Coates.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Selwyn has had a really good preseason under Kristian Woolf, he brings a strong carry out of the backfield, he\u2019s nice and confident \u2013 as all the Dolphins are at the moment,\u201d Slater said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s really earned this opportunity. He\u2019s played for Queensland before and he knows what it\u2019s all about. He won\u2019t let anyone down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selwyn Cobbo is back in the Origin arena. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Jojo Fifita<\/p>\n

Gold Coast Titans flyer Jojo Fifita could have only dreamt of an Origin start when the former rugby prodigy was invited by Slater to a Maroons camp last year to get a taste of the environment.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday next week, the 23-year-old winger finally gets his chance.<\/p>\n

With injuries to Xavier Coates (Achilles) and Murray Taulagi (concussion), Fifita has been strongly in contention all year, impressing Slater with his size and athleticism.<\/p>\n

The Titans centre effectively takes over from a lacklustre Valentine Holmes, and arrives in camp after receiving a strong vote of confidence from his club coach Josh Hannay.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a couple of things [with Jojo],\u201d explained Slater. \u201cThe number one is his physicality, he\u2019s a big strong, athletic young man. And over the last little period he\u2019s really developed his game \u2013 and that\u2019s not the highlight stuff, it\u2019s more the preparation, his defence. I think he\u2019s a terrific player.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019s only just scratching the surface of where he can go in his career and hopefully we can help him get there in this Queensland jersey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daley explains Game I selection calls | 13:25<\/p>\n

Todd Payten<\/p>\n

While the Cowboys coach would have loved to see his players rewarded for their strong form, he has a real chance now to push for a top-four spot.<\/p>\n

Of course, if Sam Walker struggles or the second row fails to provide enough spark in attack, Slater could turn to either Jake Clifford or Heilum Luki while Murray Taulagi could come into the frame for selection later in the series.<\/p>\n

Plus, Jeremiah Nanai would have to be a good chance of getting a call-up later in the series when he returns from injury.<\/p>\n

But for the time being Payten and the Cowboys will take on the Rabbitohs this week only down skipper Reuben Cotter.<\/p>\n

This is the only game where the Cowboys would definitely be without their Queensland contingent given they have byes in the other two weeks, but either way it sets them up nicely to stay fresh during the Origin period and push towards the finals.<\/p>\n

Heilum Luki was unlucky to miss out. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

LOSERS<\/p>\n

Reece Walsh\ufeff<\/p>\n

When it was first reported on Sunday that Reece Walsh was set to miss out on selection, the message from Fox League\u2019s expert panel was the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to see it to believe it,\u201d Luke Keary said, and there was a similar line from Michael Ennis and Shaun Johnson. <\/p>\n

Well, Walsh\u2019s name was officially missing when Slater announced his squad for Game 1 to the shock of many as he instead opted for Ponga at fullback. <\/p>\n

\u201cTo me Reece along with Kalyn Ponga, Dylan Edwards and James Tedesco \u2014 there are just some blokes that are absolutely elite in our game,\u201d Ennis said on Fox League.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure if it\u2019s just a rocket to try and ignite the Brisbane fullback.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keary, meanwhile, declared Walsh is \u201chands down the best fullback\u201d in the NRL and \u201chas to be in the team somewhere\u201d.<\/p>\n

Instead, he was left out entirely. So, why was that the case?<\/p>\n

Well, Slater will front the media on Monday morning to explain all his decisions and Walsh\u2019s name will certainly be front of mind.<\/p>\n

The Broncos fullback didn\u2019t exactly help his cause on Sunday with a mixed bag against the Warriors, finishing with three linebreak assists but just as many errors along with two penalties conceded.<\/p>\n

Usually that is just part of the Reece Walsh experience. You take the rocks because the diamonds shine that bright, particularly on the biggest stage as was the case in the grand final last year.<\/p>\n

Walsh came up particularly big on that night in defence, but you can\u2019t argue that Ponga has also been in fine form for the Knights and deserves his spot so ultimately it is just a case of Slater feeling confident that he has enough versatility in his squad to cover the fullback spot should injuries strike.<\/p>\n

Reece Walsh missed out. (Photo by Cameron Spencer\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Heilum Luki and Murray Taulagi<\/p>\n

In a Queensland side where incumbency is a major thread, Heilum Luki and Murray Taulagi could consider themselves hard done by for completely different reasons.<\/p>\n

Second rower Luki has been one of the Cowboys\u2019 best this season, and after his performance in North Queensland\u2019s 18-12 win over the Roosters on Saturday, was surely a breakthrough call-up into Slater\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Luki has been in the Origin frame before, joining a Queensland training camp in 2024 before cruelly rupturing an ACL for the second time.<\/p>\n

Slater ultimately decided against giving Luki his first Queensland jumper, opting for veterans Kurt Capewell and Reuben Cotter in the second row, while Max Plath has been rewarded for his stellar form at the Dolphins with a debut at lock forward.<\/p>\n

Slater\u2019s faith in his proven men unfortunately wasn\u2019t extended to winger Taulagi, who misses out on a wing spot despite strong form in previous years for the Maroons.<\/p>\n

Taulagi has six Origin appearances to his name and was in the frame for a Queensland jumper following a sensational run of form for the Cowboys.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old missed games in recent weeks due to concussion, but is understood to have made himself available for an Origin call-up. Instead, Slater went for a completely new prospect in 23-year-old Titans winger Jojo Fifita.<\/p>\n

Daly Cherry-Evans<\/p>\n

Everyone loves a Cinderella story in rugby league, and Daly Cherry-Evans\u2019 potential recall into the Queensland Maroons side after being unceremoniously dumped midway through 2025 would have taken some beating this year.<\/p>\n

Cherry-Evans has warmed to his new surroundings at the Sydney Roosters resoundingly, offering excellent touches in attack and leadership across the park to elevate them inside the top four.<\/p>\n

Ultimately though, it is Cherry-Evans\u2019 halves partner at the Roosters, Sam Walker, who earns his call-up into the Queensland Maroons spine after years of waiting in the wings.<\/p>\n

In-form Cowboys halfback Jake Clifford was another Queensland prospect, and did his bid no harm with an impressive kicking and attacking performance against Walker\u2019s Roosters on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Slater explained all three men were in contention for the role before settling on Walker as the best option for the Maroons.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Billy Slater has named his squad for Game 1 of the 2026 State of Origin series, with big…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":677802,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[64,63,761,762,158,85],"class_list":["post-677801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-nrl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=677801"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677801\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/677802"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=677801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=677801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=677801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}