Queensland State of Origin 2 Squad Revealed
The Queensland team for State of Origin 2 has been officially confirmed, with several notable changes to the squad. Reece Walsh has been recalled to the team, while his Broncos teammate Ezra Mam has been dropped following a poor performance in the previous game. The announcement was made by Billy Slater, who revealed the 20-player squad on Monday.
Five players from the Dolphins have been included in the squad, highlighting their strong presence in the competition. Briton Nikora has been elevated to start in the second row, while Reuben Cotter will move to lock. Max Plath has dropped from lock to the bench, covering for the injured Pat Carrigan. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is on the six-man bench after being the 20th man for Game 1.
This means that the Dolphins forward is in line for his Origin debut if he takes the field in Game 2. Murray Taulagi, a Cowboys winger, is the other new face on the bench, replacing the injured Gehamat Shibasaki. Heilum Luki, a Cowboys forward, has been named as the new 20th man.
Reece Walsh’s Recall and Form
Reece Walsh has been recalled to the Queensland team despite some inconsistent form at club level. His inclusion comes at the expense of Broncos teammate Ezra Mam, whose performance in the previous game was particularly poor.
Walsh was controversially left out of Billy Slater’s squad for Game 1, but he has now found himself back in the team. Despite showing flashes of brilliance against the Dragons and Titans, he has not been at his best recently. The fullback has been dealing with a glute injury, but coach Michael Maguire claims he is fine.
“Nothing really [he hasn’t been off]. He’s fine to get up and about,” Maguire said after Saturday night’s loss. “There are other moments in the games where he’s coming up with some pretty spectacular plays. So what do you call off? I would pick him (for Origin) … he’s a match-winner and everyone knows what he’s capable of in big games.”
Ezra Mam’s Performance
Ezra Mam’s performance in the previous game was a major factor in his exclusion from the squad. He was dumped to the bench by Maguire for the Broncos’ clash with the Titans, and when he did get on the field, he didn’t do much to earn a recall.
Mam had a shocking moment in the dying stages of the game when he ignored a massive overlap on the right, choosing the short side instead. This decision cost the Broncos a chance to snatch a late victory against Gold Coast.
Final Thoughts
The Queensland team for State of Origin 2 has been finalized, with several key changes. While some players have been rewarded for their performances, others have been dropped due to poor form. The focus now shifts to Game 2, where the team will look to secure a win and take a step closer to victory in the series.
