Slater names rookie to replace absent star

Cowboys young gun Tom Gilbert will get his chance in a Maroons jersey, after an injury to Felise Kaufusi opened up a spot for the third State of Origin match in Brisbane.

He comes into Billy Slater’s side on the bench, with fellow Cowboys forward Jeremiah Nanai promoted to the starting line-up.

This was a change that was widely expected by Slater, with no real surprises in his 22-man squad.

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Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Sam Walker have been added to the extended squad, but Queensland look like they’ll stick with both Selwyn Cobbo and Murray Taulagi on the wings, despite some shaky moments in game two.

Kaufusi was ruled out for personal reasons, and has travelled to the United States to be with his father, who is ill.

“He’s been on our radar for a while,” Slater said of Gilbert.

“And look, he’s he’s that sort of player that you just want in your team. He works really hard in defence, keeps his feet moving. Hearing a lot of reports that he’s really fit.

“And he’s got good leg speed as well. So a good carry and looking forward to having him in our team.”

The coach also confirmed that star men Kalyn Ponga and Cameron Munster would be fully healthy, and said Walker wasn’t in the side as Munster cover.

“We just think that Sam deserves the opportunity to come in,” he said.

“Reece Walsh is obviously unavailable through COVID and Sam’s the next one up that deserves the opportunity to be here.”

See the NSW squad here!

Queensland Maroons Game III squad

1. Kalyn Ponga – Newcastle Knights
2. Selwyn Cobbo – Brisbane Broncos
3. Valentine Holmes – North Queensland Cowboys
4. Dane Gagai – Newcastle Knights
5. Murray Taulagi – North Queensland Cowboys
6. Cameron Munster – Melbourne Storm
7. Daly Cherry-Evans – Manly Sea Eagles
8. Lindsay Collins – Sydney Roosters
9. Ben Hunt – St George Illawarra Dragons
10. Josh Papalii – Canberra Raiders
11. Kurt Capewell – Brisbane Broncos
12. Jeremiah Nanai – North Queensland Cowboys
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – Gold Coast Titans
14. Harry Grant – Melbourne Storm
15. Jai Arrow – South Sydney Rabbitohs
16. Patrick Carrigan – Brisbane Broncos
17. Tom Gilbert – North Queensland Cowboys
18. Thomas Flegler – Brisbane Broncos
19. Tom Dearden – North Queensland Cowboys
20. Beau Fermor – Gold Coast Titans
21. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – North Queensland Cowboys
22. Sam Walker – Sydney Roosters

Queensland Maroons Game II squad

1. Kalyn Ponga – Newcastle Knights
2. Selwyn Cobbo – Brisbane Broncos
3. Valentine Holmes – North Queensland Cowboys
4. Dane Gagai – Newcastle Knights
5. Murray Taulagi – North Queensland Cowboys
6. Cameron Munster – Melbourne Storm
7. Daly Cherry-Evans – Manly Sea Eagles
8. Lindsay Collins – Sydney Roosters
9. Ben Hunt – St George Illawarra Dragons
10. Josh Papalii – Canberra Raiders
11. Kurt Capewell – Brisbane Broncos
12. Felise Kaufusi – Melbourne Storm
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – Gold Coast Titans
14. Harry Grant – Melbourne Storm
15. Jai Arrow – South Sydney Rabbitohs
16. Lindsay Collins – Sydney Roosters
17. Patrick Carrigan – Brisbane Broncos
18. Jeremiah Nanai – North Queensland Cowboys
19. Tom Dearden – North Queensland Cowboys
20. Thomas Flegler – Brisbane Broncos
21. Beau Fermor – Gold Coast Titans
22. Corey Oates – Brisbane Broncos
23. Reece Walsh – New Zealand Warriors

Queensland Maroons Game I squad

1. Kalyn Ponga – Newcastle Knights
2. Selwyn Cobbo – Brisbane Broncos
3. Valentine Holmes – North Queensland Cowboys
4. Dane Gagai – Newcastle Knights
5. Xavier Coates – Melbourne Storm
6. Cameron Munster – Melbourne Storm
7. Daly Cherry-Evans – Manly Sea Eagles
8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – Gold Coast Titans
9. Ben Hunt – St George Illawarra Dragons
10. Josh Papalii – Canberra Raiders
11. Kurt Capewell – Brisbane Broncos
12. Felise Kaufusi – Melbourne Storm
13. Reuben Cotter – North Queensland Cowboys
14. Harry Grant – Melbourne Storm
15. Lindsay Collins – Sydney Roosters
16. Patrick Carrigan – Brisbane Broncos
17. Jeremiah Nanai – North Queensland Cowboys
18. Tom Dearden – North Queensland Cowboys
19. Jai Arrow – South Sydney Rabbitohs
20. Thomas Flegler – Brisbane Broncos
21. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – North Queensland Cowboys
22. Murray Taulagi – North Queensland Cowboys

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