Canberra veteran Josh Papali’i has been ushered out of State of Origin retirement to give Queensland’s pack fire and brimstone in the State of Origin decider.
But the biggest surprise in Billy Slater’s Maroons side is the elevation of Broncos journeyman Gehamat Shibasaki to partner Robert Toia in the centres.
Papali’i called time on his Origin career ahead of the 2023 series but was named at starting prop when Billy Slater confirmed his team on Monday morning.
The 33-year-old prop has been instrumental in the first-placed Raiders’ charge up the ladder this year and will add extra vigour to Queensland’s pack come July 9 in Sydney.
Gold Coast prop Moeaki Fotuaika has been axed after the forwards have struggled to match it with NSW in this series.
“It’s probably something that I’ve had in the back of my mind for a couple of years now,” Slater said of the SOS sent to Papali’i ahead of the decider.
“In particular this year, the way that big Papa’s been playing for Canberra and the performances he’s been putting in – he’s been doing a great job there.
“I thought that this team could benefit from a bit of Josh Papali’i.
“I was a little bit unsure of the response I’d get – I spoke to Papa a couple of days ago, and the response was pretty much where my head was at, which was fantastic.
“It just shows that he’s still got that fire to play for this footy team, he’s got that fire to represent the people of Queensland, and he’s got that fire to go out and do a good job for his state.”
Slater said Papali’i’s ‘aura’ will come in handy to bolster the Maroons pack.
“He’s a real warrior and has been for this footy team for a long time,” he said.
“What will give his teammates belief is big Papa going out there and doing his job. That’s all he has to worry about. The rest will take care of itself.”
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The selection shock comes as the Maroons recall Brisbane star Reece Walsh to be the game-day reserve and put faith in Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as Kalyn Ponga’s injury replacement at fullback.
Tabuai-Fidow has played in the Queensland backline for the previous two games of the series and has helped the Dolphins rise into finals calculations following a poor start.
His four tries in the 50-28 win over South Sydney in round 17 sealed the deal.
He has never started at fullback in nine Origin games but shifted there minutes into the 2024 series opener when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s high tackle sidelined Walsh.
“I think it’s the right fit for the footy team right now,” Slater said of the call to prefer Tabuai-Fidow over Walsh at fullback.
“I think he’s in a great stage of his career.
“Reece is a great player … it’s a great luxury to have both of them in camp.
“I don’t think you can make a wrong decision there. I just think this is the best fit for our footy team, and Hammer deserves his opportunity in the one jersey.”
Shibasaki’s whirlwind debut comes amid a season where the 27-year-old has scored 12 tries in 15 appearances to ressurect his career.
Speaking to media on Monday morning, Slater described the Broncos journeyman’s call-up as an ‘inspiration’.
“Gehamat’s story is an inspiration,” the Maroons coach said.
“Only six months ago he was on a training trial contract at the Broncos, playing Queensland Cup up in Townsville. The rise in his game over the last six months has been exceptional.
“I told him last night you need two things to play for Queensland: the first one is you need to be capable, you need to have the habits in your game that are at the standard of this footy team. The second one, you need the opportunity to be put in front of you. Those two things presented itself over the weekend.
“It will be a dream come true for the young lad from Townsville.”
Slater said Shibasaki has emerged as a potential Origin bolter ‘probably halfway through the first half of the year’.
“He’s playing some really consistent football, a great defender, he’s got great principles in his game off the footy, and he’s a big body,” Slater said.
“Initially, he thought it was just being a part of the squad, but then I said ‘no mate, you’ll be playing for Queensland!’
“He’s really earned this opportunity, and that was one thing I reiterated with him, is that he’s here because of him, and not because I picked up the phone and dialled his number. He’s here because of the actions that he’s put in through the pre-season that earned himself a position in the Broncos’ team, and then his actions every week.”
Gehamat Shibasaki takes on the Warriors. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Tabuai-Fidow, who scored three tries that day, has indicated he is eager for another chance at fullback in Origin.
“To have that No.1 on my back would be super special for me,” Tabuai-Fidow said after the Dolphins’ win over the Rabbitohs in his 100th NRL game.
Walsh has been instrumental in reigniting Brisbane’s season, with the Broncos winning all three games since he returned from the knee injury that scuppered his Origin chances earlier in the series.
On Sunday morning, Slater indicated he held no concerns over any lingering issues from the injury, pointing to Saturday’s win over the Warriors.
“I thought he moved quite well yesterday. The thing with Reece is he’s dangerous with the footy in hand,” Slater said on Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“But he’s also dangerous by bringing others into the game.”
Walsh can also slot into the halves if need be and is the ideal 18th man.
Maroons winger Valentine Holmes downplayed a minor leg injury that prevented him from kicking goals towards the end of St George Illawarra’s win over Parramatta.
“It was just a little contusion on my knee, nothing bad, I obviously could still run,” said Holmes, who rescinded goal-kicking duties on Saturday night.
“I was just half looking after myself, making sure I’m not doing anything unnecessary.”
Meanwhile, Ponga has not only already been ruled out of Origin II, but won’t be seen again until the final rounds of the season, after suffering a Lisfranc injury in his left foot.
Ponga underwent scans on a foot injury after failing to finish Newcastle’s disappointing 22-18 loss to the Canberra Raiders following an innocuous tackle midway through the second half.
The star fullback will begin his rehabilitation with Knights medical staff, with the view of returning to play in the back end of the season, according to a club statement.
Maroons team for Origin III
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Xavier Coates
3. Robert Toia
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Valentine Holmes
6. Cameron Munster (c)
7. Tom Dearden
8. Josh Papali’i
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Reuben Cotter
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Trent Loeiro
14. Kurt Mann
15. Lindsay Collins
16. Patrick Carrigan
17. Jeremiah Nanai
18. Reece Walsh
19. Josh Kerr
20. J’maine Hopgood
with AAP
