Slater tips Nanai to bring the energy as Maroons name Origin team

The return of Queensland's breakout player from 2022 is among a handful of changes in coach Billy Slater's 19-man squad named for Game Two of the 2023 Ampol State of Origin series.

After missing Queensland's 26-18 victory in Origin I in Adelaide due to suspension, Nanai returns to the side in the second row as replacement for Tom Gilbert who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the series opener. 

Despite the Cowboys forward having played just once since Round 9 – returning for North Queensland's win against the Storm in Round 14 – Slater is confident Nanai will be ready for the rigours of Origin. 

“Firstly, he played all three games last year, Jeremiah, and was outstanding," Slater said.

“He had a great year last year and I think the thing that gave me confidence in Jeremiah coming back into the team is, he did come back from suspension and I felt that was probably the most energy he’s had in his footy all year.

“It looked like the Jeremiah of last year and he’s obviously worked really hard through that period that he was off and he’s another guy that’s earned this opportunity.

“He’s a Queenslander, and he’s done the job before and he played really well on the weekend."

Along with Gilbert, Jai Arrow (ankle) and Selwyn Cobbo (hip pointer) are also out, with Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika and Storm winger Xavier Coates called into the side. 

Fotuaika is joined in the squad by Titans teammate AJ Brimson, who will feature as 18th Man, with Tom Dearden returning to club commitments with the Cowboys, while Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh joins the side as 19th Man.

For Coates, it will be his first Origin game since the opening match of the 2022 series in Sydney, where he was unfortunately ruled out with injury.