With just over a week remaining until the second State of Origin clash at Melbourne’s MCG, Queensland Maroons head coach Billy Slater has finalised his adjusted squad, making a high-stakes call on controversial Broncos fullback Reece Walsh that has reshaped the side’s lineup for the must-win matchup.
Queensland enters the June 17 showdown facing a do-or-die scenario: a loss to the New South Wales Blues will see their opponents clinch the 2025 series outright, while a Maroons win will force a deciding decider on Queensland home soil. To pursue that outcome, Slater has shaken up his game one roster, with Walsh’s return standing as the most notable adjustment.
Walsh, a Brisbane Broncos fullback, has earned a spot on the Maroons’ extended bench, ousting fellow Broncos teammate Ezra Mam, who has been dropped entirely from the squad. Mam’s exit comes off a tough weekend for the young playmaker, who was already demoted to the Broncos’ reserve bench before a late, poor decision in a clutch moment contributed to Brisbane’s narrow loss to the Gold Coast Titans. While Walsh has not delivered his dominant best form throughout the 2025 NRL season, he has still beaten out Mam for a recall to the Origin side, marking his first potential appearance in the series since 2024. Kalyn Ponga, who was sent off early in Queensland’s game one collapse in Sydney, will retain his starting fullback position despite the high-profile disciplinary incident.
The squad also features a first-time Origin call-up: Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will make his Maroons debut from the bench, rewarded for a breakout, standout start to his 2025 NRL season. Injuries have forced two other key absences: starting forwards Pat Carrigan and Gehamat Shibasaki will both miss the clash, opening a bench spot for winger Murray Taulagi.
Slater also made a small but strategic adjustment to his starting 13: Reuben Cotter will shift from an edge forward position to lock, which moves Briton Nikora into the starting back row, while Max Plath drops back to the extended bench.
The revised full Maroons squad for game two is: Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jojo Fifita, Cameron Munster, Sam Walker, Thomas Flegler, Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Briton Nikora, Kurt Capewell, Reuben Cotter, Max Plath, Lindsay Collins, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Trent Loiero, Reece Walsh, Murray Taulagi, Heilum Luki.
The Blues are set to announce their own game two squad at 7pm AEST, with the side eyeing a series-clinching win on Melbourne ground to wrap up the Origin trophy early.