Queensland coach Billy Slater has today confirmed the Maroons’ line-up for Game II of the State of Origin series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Felise Kaufusi has played his way into the 17, while Kurt Capewell has also earned selection for the June 26 match against the New South Wales Blues.
The clash will mark Kaufusi’s 16th appearance for the Maroons, while it will be Capewell’s 10th Origin game and his first since Game III of the 2022 series.
The pair add experience to the interchange bench, which has a new dynamic following the series opener that featured J’maine Hopgood and Selwyn Cobbo.
With Kaufusi elevated into the 17, the new 18th man is Dane Gagai, a proven performer at Origin level.
The extended squad also includes young forwards Heilum Luki (North Queensland Cowboys) and Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm), who will join Camp Maroon for the first time when the squad assembles in Brisbane today.
Queensland Maroons
Reece Walsh – Brisbane Broncos
Xavier Coates – Melbourne Storm
Valentine Holmes – North Qld Cowboys
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – The Dolphins
Murray Taulagi – North Qld Cowboys
Tom Dearden – North Qld Cowboys
Daly Cherry-Evans (c) – Manly Sea Eagles
Reuben Cotter – North Qld Cowboys
Ben Hunt – St George Illawarra Dragons
Lindsay Collins – Sydney Roosters
Jaydn Su’A – St George Illawarra Dragons
Jeremiah Nanai – North Qld Cowboys
Patrick Carrigan – Brisbane Broncos
Harry Grant – Melbourne Storm
Moeaki Fotuaika – Gold Coast Titans
Felise Kaufusi – The Dolphins
Kurt Capewell – New Zealand Warriors
Dane Gagai – Newcastle Knights
Heilum Luki – North Qld Cowboys
Trent Loiero – Melbourne Storm
