The Maroons have made two changes to the side that thumped NSW in game one, with Billy Slater recalling two veterans to the side.
Despite his starring role after coming from the bench in the early stages of the series opener, Selwyn Cobbo has been left out of the 17 for Origin II. Eels back-rower J’Maine Hopgood was the other player from game one to miss out on selection, with Slater revealing the Eels gun had injured his back playing for his club. Felise Kaufusi was given the nod to start on the bench for the MCG clash. Kurt Capewell, meanwhile, has been named to replace Cobbo in a more traditional utility role, providing forward cover, while also being capable of playing centre.
Addressing the media on Monday morning, Slater confirmed that Cobbo had been dumped due to form issues, while adding that he was battling a niggle.
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“Selwyn is not quite 100 per cent at the moment,” Slater said.
“He’s been playing with injections and that sort of stuff… collective with a few things he would like to work on in his game, we thought it was best Selwyn have a rest.
“I felt this was the best thing for him and for the team.”
Slater added that he had a lengthy conversation with Cobbo on Sunday to explain why he had been left out. He said the pair shared a good relationship.
“I’ve got a great relationship with Selwyn, had a lengthy discussion with him yesterday,” Slater says.
“We are all on the same page.”
“Selwyn has just turned 22, sometimes we forget these guys are still young men developing physically, developing their game and still building that consistency in their game,” he added.
“I felt this was the right thing for Selwyn to have a break. He will be playing in a Maroon jersey again before we know it.”
Kaufusi was inserted into Origin I unexpectedly after Reece Walsh was ruled out with a category one HIA after copping a high hit from Joseph Suaalii that completely changed the complexion of the game.
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Due to the fact that Walsh was taken out of the game by an act of foul play, the rules allowed the Maroons to activate their 18th man, putting Kaufusi on the bench from the eight minute mark.
He was a strong performer after coming into the game for his 15th Origin appearance, with Slater seeing enough to promote him to the bench from the start of Origin II.
Walsh has not played since being concussed in Origin I, due to NRL protocols, but Slater said he hadn’t for a moment considered leaving the young superstar out after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s starring performance when he switched to fullback in game one, scoring a hat-trick and terrorising the Blues’ makeshift edges.
The Maroons coach was furious with the Suaalii tackle on Walsh but refused to answer when asked if he had approached the NRL asking for more protection for his livewire No.1.
“My focus and energy goes towards our preparation now,” was all he would say.
Capewell played nine games for Queensland as a mainstay of the side from 2020-2022 but did not feature in last year’s series.
The back-rower has been in strong form this season for the Warriors and is capable of shifting out to the centres should injury strike one of the Maroons back five again in game two.
“Kurt Capewell is a very versatile player,” Slater said, defending his decision to name a different style of player to Cobbo after the plan for Origin I worked to perfection.
“They are the reasons. I can’t be more clear… than the words I’ve already spoken.”
Another veteran, Dane Gagai, who played 22 games for Queensland from 2015 to 2022 has been recalled to the squad in the 18th man role, while Cowboys young gun Heilum Luki gets his first taste of an Origin camp as part of the extended squad, as does Melbourne’s Trent Loiero.
MAROONS 17
1. Reece Walsh 2. Xavier Coates 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Reuben Cotter 9. Ben Hunt 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Jaydn Su’A 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Harry Grant 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Kurt Capewell 18. Dane Gagai 19. Heilum Luki 20. Trent Loiero