Queensland SOO Game 1 team predictions – State of Origin 2023

May 2, 2023 4:58 pm.by Jack Hudson

Billy Slater State of Origin news — Maroons coach Billy Slater has some tough decisions to make for the 2023 State of Origin series. (Picture: WWOS)

The 2023 State of Origin series is approaching and the discussions of selections begin to grow in many sectors of the rugby league world.

Having won the 2022 series in a Game 3 thriller, the Maroons will be keen to retain the shield. Queensland coach Billy Slater will have several headaches at the selection table as his men juggle injuries, suspensions, and poor form.

Here’s a look at the potential best 17 for the Maroons in Game 1, which will take place in Adelaide on May 31.

1. Reece Walsh

This guy has absolutely exploded for the Broncos in 2023 at the fullback position, well and truly earning his debut for Queensland. Some may remember that, in just over a month of playing at the NRL level for the New Zealand Warriors, Reece Walsh was selected to play for Queensland at fullback before injury prevented his first appearance. Kalyn Ponga would normally be the first selected; however, with his concussion history he would be a target of the New South Wales Blues defence and a liability for the Maroons on the field.

2. Murray Taulagi

In a struggling Cowboys side, Murray Taulagi has had a difficult start to the 2023 NRL season. He performed well in his two starts for the Kangaroos at the Rugby League World Cup, carrying the ball strongly and scoring a double against Italy. The 24-year-old earned his position on the wing – not only from his form at the Cowboys, but his admirable performance in the 32-point loss the Maroons suffered in Game 2 last year in Perth. Taulagi has the skills and experience to succeed in the arena and should be the first selected on the wing.

3. Dane Gagai

While the Newcastle Knights have endured an ordinary start to the season, Dane Gagai already has seven try assists to go with two line-breaks and a try of his own. Also, he is setting career highs for both tackle efficiency and running metres per game. Gagai has all the experience and talent to come into this Maroons side and continue doing the brilliant job he has done since his Origin debut in 2015.

4. Valentine Holmes

This is another player who has flown under the radar for the Cowboys given their poor form this season. Like Gagai, Valentine Holmes is producing near career-best numbers for tackle efficiency and average running metres while also breaking tackles, setting up tries and scoring for himself. His goalkicking and wealth of experience in representative football will also be key for the Maroons.

5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

This guy is having a breakout season for the Dolphins under Wayne Bennett. Not only has Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow taken his talents to the Origin arena and succeeded, defending superstar Tom Trbojevic in the process, he has built on his game tremendously since. His ball-carrying for kick returns will be vital to the Maroons’ chances of success, as will his speed and skill on the wing to score tries. With Corey Oates injured as well as Selwyn Cobbo and Xavier Coates struggling for form, Tabuai-Fidow has a chance to make this position his own.

6. Cameron Munster

Cameron Munster selects himself for the Maroons and needs no explanation. A big-game player, a Wally Lewis Medal winner and an out-and-out champion, Munster was born for State of Origin football.

Maroons star Cameron Munster — Cameron Munster is one of Queensland’s most reliable performers on the Origin stage. (Picture: NRL.com)

7. Daly Cherry-Evans

He may be coming to the end of his representative, but Daly Cherry-Evans’ form at the Sea Eagles this season warrants selection. His strong kicking game, improved running game and incredible support play has been key to Manly’s success, and his own, already having five tries this season. Cherry-Evans has all the experience, composure, and skill to continue in the Origin arena and is arguably the only Queensland-eligible halfback capable of beating Nathan Cleary.

8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

This is another Maroon who selects himself in his position with no need for an explanation. A born leader of the forward pack, and one of the best front-rowers in rugby league, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is built for Origin football and loves the physical challenge that comes with it. The Titans captain will make it his personal mission to take on Blues forward Payne Haas, as he has in previous years.

9. Ben Hunt

The heroism of Ben Hunt in 2022’s Game 3 decider gives ‘Dozer’ right of way for selection in every Queensland side he is fit for until retirement. Hunt’s ability to manage the game and control the middle third early in the piece, combined with his strong kicking game, has many arguing he is in fact the best hooker in the NRL. Hunt doubles as a link man between Munster and Cherry-Evans when Harry Grant takes the field, and he will again be vital to this side’s success.

10. Moeaki Fotuaika

Some may not have Moeaki Fotuaika in their Maroons side for 2023, as many would forget the series he had for Queensland in 2020. A part of the so-called ‘worst Queensland team ever named’, Fotuaika played an enormous role in the middle third of the field that ultimately brought his state a series win. He has rediscovered that form for the Titans in 2023 as he looks to set career highs for offloads, metres run per game and tackle efficiency. His rotation through the middle with forwards on the Queensland bench could inflict serious damage to the Blues defensive line.

11. David Fifita

After a down year in 2022, David Fifita has started this NRL campaign in close to career-best form. He may not be breaking as many tackles or scoring as many tries, but his increased work rate and the control he is playing with surmounts any flashy plays. In the Origin arena, surrounded by a better calibre of player, Fifita will certainly get the chance to show his skill and power. He already has five games under his belt for Queensland and now has the chance to win his spot in the side for the next decade.

12. Felise Kaufusi

Again, Felise Kaufusi selects himself for the Maroons and needs no explanation. Since moving from the Melbourne Storm to the Dolphins for the 2023 season, Kaufusi has re-invented himself as the hard-hitting, uncompromising back-rower that he was in his younger years. His wealth of experience and expertise in organising the defensive line will be key for the Maroons to stop the star-studded Blues team.

13. Patrick Carrigan

Over the last 18 months, Pat Carrigan has put his name up in lights as one of the best ball-playing locks in rugby league. A future captain of the Broncos and possibly the Maroons, Carrigan’s leadership and communication in the middle will be invaluable. His debut series in 2022 shows he is one who rises to the challenge of Origin footy, proven by winning the Wally Lewis Medal, and he will be playing to make the lock position his own for the next decade.

14. Harry Grant

The role Harry Grant plays off the bench for the Maroons in State of Origin is some of the best football there is. With fatiguing defenders in the opposition line, Grant’s running and kicking game from hooker is phenomenal. Many will remember the 360-degree spin that led to the Grant grubber kick and Kurt Capewell try which led the Maroons to a series win in 2022. It is moments like those that win games on the big stage.

15. Reuben Cotter

Reuben Cotter bolted into the Maroons side in 2022 when he began his fulltime role in the forward pack for the Cowboys. Cotter’s strong ball-running, tackle-breaking ability and enormous engine should see him selected again for the Maroons. While the Cowboys have struggled and Cotter has been a part of that, he was made for Origin.

16. Lindsay Collins

Lindsay Collins’ form for the Roosters in 2023 has been some of the best in his career, carrying the ball brilliantly with strong tackle-busting ability. Collins is the perfect replacement for a player like Fa’asuamaleaui in the middle for his size and work rate.

17. J’maine Hopgood

In a similar style to Cotter last year, J’maine Hopgood is having a breakout season for the Eels following his move from Penrith. In his short NRL career, Hopgood has shown he can play big minutes anywhere in the middle of the field and do everything that is needed of him. Being a smaller body, Hopgood has the potential to fill any holes left in the second row if needed and simply defend. A real dark-horse selection.

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