Who Will Choose the Maroons’ No.7?

Queensland Maroons veteran Ben Hunt has expressed confidence in the ability of Sam Walker and Tanah Boyd to step up and fill the halfback role left vacant by Tom Dearden, who is sidelined due to a syndesmosis injury. Dearden will miss the series opener in Sydney on May 27 and may not be available for game two in Melbourne on June 17.

Dearden’s absence is a significant blow to the Maroons, as he was in top form this season, leading the competition for line engagements (79) and sitting third for try assists (11), second in line break assists (14), and second for line break involvements. Coach Billy Slater now faces the challenge of selecting his halfback options, with veterans like Daly Cherry-Evans, Jamal Fogarty, and Hunt being the safest choices. However, if Slater is looking for fast, direct play, none of the No.7 contenders have engaged the line more than Walker (43), while he also boasts the most forced drop-outs (10).

Walker’s average of 84 running metres per game makes him one of the stronger threats for the position, trailing only Jake Clifford (85) and Jayden Campbell (113). While Clifford’s booming kicking game and strong defence (90.1% efficiency) make him a strong contender, Boyd has emerged as a key player after guiding the Warriors to the top two. Boyd sits in the NRL’s top five for points (92), line break involvements (11), kick metres (4839), and attacking kicks (70), while producing 10 try assists.

“He’s been superb, the Warriors are obviously playing some really good footy, and he’s been the spearhead of that,” Hunt said. “He had a rough start at the Titans, but he’s got a new lease on life over there. He’s a really good defender, and his best attribute is probably his kicking game – something that’s really important in Origin for getting you out of trouble. If he gets a shot, he’ll be good.”

Hunt also believes Walker would be up for the job if selected. “I don’t see why not,” he said. “He’s playing some really good footy, him and Chez [Cherry-Evans] both are playing really good. It’s kind of like Tommy last year – people didn’t think he was up for it, he got the opportunity, and was our best player. Sammy’s a good little player, and if he got the opportunity, I think he’d stand up.”

Key Players and Contenders

Favourites:
– Sam Walker

Contenders:
– Tanah Boyd, Jake Clifford, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jamal Fogarty, Braydon Trindall, Ben Hunt, Jayden Campbell

Unavailable:
– Tom Dearden

Fullback

Favourite:
– Reece Walsh

Contender:
– Kalyn Ponga

Reece Walsh appeared destined to add to his five Origin caps after inspiring the Brisbane Broncos’ breakthrough premiership, earning the Clive Churchill Medal and a Kangaroos debut. However, his 2026 form has been hindered. Walsh missed three games after suffering a fractured cheekbone and has struggled against Manly since returning. However, he turned in a sizzling second half against the Roosters, including a brilliant try-saving tackle.

Kalyn Ponga, the Knights skipper, has been emphatic since making his comeback for Newcastle a fortnight ago, coming up with three try assists while running for more than 200 metres each game.

Wingers

Favourites:
– Murray Taulagi and Selwyn Cobbo

Contenders:
– Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Dane Gagai, Phil Sami, Jojo Fifita, Valentine Holmes

Unavailable:
– Xavier Coates

Murray Taulagi remains in doubt after being sidelined with a concussion suffered in round eight, but if fit, he may need to be ushered straight in given Xavier Coates’ Achilles injury and Valentine Holmes’ dip in form. Taulagi, 27, has worn the Maroon kit six times and has a great relationship with centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Taulagi is a strong aerial threat who gets his side out of trouble with his carries. He should be joined in the squad by Dolphin Selwyn Cobbo.

Since arriving from the Broncos, Cobbo has transformed his work rate, missing only four tackles this season while making nine line breaks. However, his handling errors remain a concern (18).

Centres

Favourites:
– Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Robert Toia

Contenders:
– Thomas Chester, Dane Gagai, Jaxon Purdue, Gehamat Shibasaki

Robert Toia rose to the occasion last year despite being in his debut NRL campaign, and has carried on his work for the Roosters in 2026 – scoring six tries while running for 105 metres a game. His defensive reads are also valuable, with his tackling efficiency remaining at 86.7%.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored nine of his 11 Origin tries in the centres, but if Slater shifts him to the wing, that could open the door for a bolter like Cowboys gun Tom Chester (185 running metres a game, 10 line breaks, 90% tackle efficiency).

Five-eighth

Favourite:
– Cameron Munster

Despite Melbourne’s poor start, Maroons captain Cameron Munster will be retained. He is the ir leader and always rises in Origin. He returned to form with two tries as the Storm broke a seven-game losing streak against the Tigers.

Props

Favourites:
– Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Lindsay Collins

Contenders:
– Corey Horsburgh, Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler, Reuben Cotter, Moeaki Fotuaika

Unavailable:
– Jai Arrow

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will be the leader of the Maroons’ four-man prop rotation, having thrived on this stage in the past. While Lindsay Collins hasn’t been at his best, he is proven in Origin and is an effort player Slater loves.

For the bench, Corey Horsburgh is the favourite. Tom Gilbert should edge out Dolphins teammate Thomas Flegler for the other spot, despite the latter’s three-week purple patch in which he did not miss a tackle and ran for 121 metres a game before an ill-disciplined display against the Bulldogs.

Second row

Favourites:
– Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Reuben Cotter

Contenders:
– Heilum Luki, Jaydn Su’A, Beau Fermor, Briton Nikora

Unavailable:
– David Fifita, Jeremiah Nanai, Brendan Piakura

Despite playing lock for the Cowboys, Reuben Cotter has performed strongly on the edge for Queensland before. But the form players are both prospective debutants – Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Heilum Luki. Finefeuiaki trails Jackson Ford and Haumole Olakau’atu for post-contact metres (662) this year, while he has run for more metres than any second rower in the competition. Luki has overcome a horror injury run – which included two ruptured ACLs – and fulfilled on his promise. No edge forward boasts as many as his seven line breaks.

Lock

Favourite:
– Pat Carrigan

Contenders:
– Trent Loiero, Cooper Bai

Unavailable:
– J’maine Hopgood

Pat Carrigan may not be producing numbers as clinical as he has in the past this year, but given he still averages 144 running metres and 46 tackles a game.

Hooker

Favourite:
– Harry Grant

Harry Grant picks himself. His efforts against Wests Tigers last week were on point: a try and setting up two more while producing three line breaks and making 44 tackles.