Maroons coach Billy Slater has opted for in-form Broncos fullback Reece Walsh over Knights star Kalyn Ponga for Game One of the 2023 Ampol State of Origin series.
The 20-year-old is the sole debutant named in Slater's 19-man squad for the opener on May 31, which features five players who didn't take part in last year's 2-1 series victory over the Blues.
Dolphins enforcer Felise Kaufusi has missed selection as he faces suspension for a high tackle on Storm captain Christian Welch. Kaufusi would have required a downgrade on his Grade Two charge in order to play in Game One, but has instead been listed outside of the squad by Slater.
Two of Kaufusi's Dolphins teammates – Thomas Gilbert and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – have been named, with the pair set to replace Origin veterans Kurt Capewell and Dane Gagai in the run-on side.
“I’m really comfortable that this is the right decision, it’s the right decision for everyone involved, it’s the right decision for the team," Slater told media on the decision to select Walsh at fullback.
"Reece Walsh has been playing fantastic football, I have watched him closer than most people and he’s in a really good place and I am comfortable with the decision we have made there.
“I had to make some really tough phone calls last night, there were some good phone calls, but there were some tough ones; speaking to Kalyn, speaking to Gags (Dane Gagai), Kurt Capewell, Xavier Coates – they are tough phone calls and they are not easy decisions to make.
“But they are made for the right reasons and I believe that.
Reece Walsh's Origin Mixtape
“Those four guys are Queenslanders through and through and by the end of the conversation, they were all really supportive of this team, they all want success for this team and they are willing to support the team in any way.
“They are great men and they are great Queenslanders.”
David Fifita's impressive form in 2023 has seen him earn a return to the side, having last played for Queensland in the first two games of the 2021 series, while Welch also returns to the wider squad after missing last year's series through injury.
Ponga, Gagai, Corey Oates, Josh Papalii (retired), Kurt Capewell and Jeremiah Nanai (suspension) are all notable omissions from the squad after they featured in last year's triumph over the Blues, with Tom Dearden named as 18th Man.
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