Billy’s tough choices as Maroons face 11 challenges

Queensland’s Injury and Form Crisis Threatens Origin Lineup

With just two weeks until the selection of the State of Origin game one squad, New South Wales is facing a potential injury crisis. However, Queensland coach Billy Slater is also grappling with his own set of challenges as he prepares for the upcoming series.

Last year, the Maroons staged a remarkable comeback to win the series, thanks to several key decisions made by Slater and his advisors. One of the most notable moves was axing captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans after losing game one to the Blues in Brisbane. Tom Dearden stepped in as the No.7 replacement and performed exceptionally well, winning the Wally Lewis Medal. Cameron Munster took on the captaincy role and proved to be a capable leader.

Slater also made an inspired decision by bringing in Roosters centre Robert Toia after just 10 NRL games. Additionally, Gehamat Shibasaki and Kurt Mann were given unexpected Origin debuts, while Raiders veteran Josh Papalii was convinced to return from representative retirement for game three. All of these bold moves paid off, leading to a stunning victory over NSW in Sydney.

However, barely 10 months after that historic win, Slater now faces genuine concerns about more than half the team that played in game three. Some key players are either injured or out of form, adding to the pressure on the coach as he finalizes his squad.

Josh Papalii has returned to enjoy his Origin retirement, while towering winger Xavier Coates is yet to play a game for the Storm this season due to an Achilles injury. Cowboys backrower Jeremiah Nanai, along with fullback contenders Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga, have only recently returned from their own injuries.

In addition to the injury issues, several Maroons incumbents are struggling with their form in club competitions. Melbourne has lost seven NRL games in a row, and superstar spine players Cameron Munster and Harry Grant are not performing at their best. Munster recently hinted at the possibility of being axed from the Queensland side, and even considered retirement due to his poor form.

If Munster is dropped, it would mark the second consecutive year that Slater has removed an incumbent captain. The pressure on Munster is increasing, with Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam currently in strong form and potentially challenging for the state jersey. Slater also has Roosters halfback Sam Walker waiting for a chance in the Maroons halves.

While it’s unlikely that Slater will drop Harry Grant, the coach has praised Dolphins rake Max Plath, who was floated as a potential bolter for the Maroons. “Max Plath was awesome. He’s known as a worker through the middle, and he does all that little stuff really well,” Slater said on Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast. “He was really influential in their attack, plus no one tackled more than Max Plath, and he played 80 minutes. He would be a pleasure to coach because you know what you’re going to get from him.”

Last year’s surprise Origin bolter, Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki, is also out of form at club level and may struggle to retain his spot in the Queensland side. Dragons centre Val Holmes is almost certain to be dropped due to his recent struggles and the poor performance of his team. Similarly, Bulldogs utility Kurt Mann, Storm lock Trent Loiero, and Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleui are all facing form issues and underperforming club teams.

While dropping players like Mann or Loiero wouldn’t cause much shock in Queensland, leaving out Fa’asuamaleaui would be a significant decision for Slater. The inspirational prop has been a consistent presence for the Maroons since his debut in 2020, missing only the 2024 series due to injury. However, his performance has declined this season, and on current form, he could be a casualty of Slater’s strict selection process.

With two rounds remaining before Slater and Blues coach Laurie Daley finalize their squads for game one, which will be played in Sydney on May 27, the coach will be hoping that several players turn their form around quickly.