The Maroons’ former assistant coach has given an indication of which way Billy Slater might be leaning.
Cameron Smith has named his Queensland team for State of Origin 1, and there’s no room for Brisbane Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo. And the fact that Smith was previously an assistant coach for Billy Slater might be an indication of which way the Maroons selectors are leaning.
Speaking on Channel 9 on Monday night, Smith revealed the 17 that he’d be picking for Game 1. The Queensland icon went with Kalyn Ponga at fullback, Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi on the wings, and Valentine Holmes and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the centres.
Smith picked Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves, with Tom Deardon on the bench in the No.14 utility role. In the forwards, Smith went with Reuben Cotter and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui as the props, Harry Grant at hooker and Tom Gilbert, Beau Fermor and Patrick Carrigan in the back-row. Joining Dearden on the bench are Lindsay Collins, Jeremiah Nanai and Moeaki Fotuaika.
The most notable omissions from Smith’s preferred team are Cobbo and Corey Horsburgh. Cobbo played Game 1 last year before Slater dropped him amid concerns around his fitness and commitment levels. The Broncos star made a solid start to the 2025 season, and has shone at fullback in a badly-beaten team over the last few weeks.
Many believe Cobbo should come back into the Queensland team, although Coates and Taulagi have been playing well over the last month. The fact Cobbo has moved to fullback to cover the injured Walsh might actually work against him when Slater picks his team for Origin 1.
Concerns around Harry Grant’s fitness before Origin
As for Horsburgh, the Canberra forward has been playing the house down in 2025, and many believe he might start in the front-row for Slater. But Smith overlooked him in favour of Collins and Fotuaika, who haven’t been in great form but are incumbents.
Discussing his team, Smith said he thinks Reed Mahoney could come into the hooking role if Grant isn’t ready. The Melbourne Storm captain hasn’t played for a month due to a hamstring injury.
“He’s been out for four weeks with a hamstring injury,” Smith said about Grant. “He will play this week I believe and Billy will have a very close eye on the way he performs and the way his injury goes. If not, Reed Mahoney might get the call up, he’s in great form.”
Justin Hodges picks Kalyn Ponga over The Hammer
Meanwhile, fellow Queensland great Justin Hodges had told AAP he’d also have Ponga at fullback despite some calling for Tabuai-Fidow to get the role. With Walsh injured and Ponga out of form, the Queensland fullback playing the best footy is ‘The Hammer’.
“I think it should be Ponga,” Hodges said. “He is a little bit more of a safe (option). The Hammer has been playing some good football but I think Kalyn gives you more at the moment in terms of passing.
“Hammer has won Origin games for us in the centres as well. I remember the game in Adelaide (Game 1 of 2023) where he tore them to shreds on that left edge. You have got to have him in the side. He is one of those classy players but I think you can have Kalyn (at fullback) setting him up and letting Hammer find some space and using his speed.”