Predicting the Queensland Maroons Origin Team for Game I

Queensland always rise when it matters — and while they’ll enter 2025’s series as underdogs, they’ve still got the spine, power and mongrel to win it all. Here’s the 1-17 I’d pick, plus a breakdown of the selection debates.

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✅ The Team

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Xavier Coates
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
9. Harry Grant (Reed Mahoney if injured)
10. Corey Horsburgh
11. Beau Fermor
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Tom Dearden
15. Reuben Cotter
16. Lindsay Collins (or Moeaki Fotuaika if Collins unavailable)
17. Jeremiah Nanai

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🗣 Up For Debate

🧤 Fullback

Ponga has done it before — and when he pulls on that Maroons jersey, he usually delivers. But his club form in 2025 has been abysmal. Rib injuries haven’t helped either. With Reece Walsh out, it’s slim pickings. Munster could slide to fullback with Dearden at five-eighth, Hamiso could shift back, or Brimson could get a call-up. But if loyalty matters, expect Ponga to get one more shot.

🪽 Wings

Coates and Taulagi have been unstoppable in 2025. Selwyn Cobbo has also delivered for Queensland in the past, and could be unlucky to miss out. If injuries strike, Dane Gagai is still around and could come in as the ultimate Origin replacement.

🧱 Centres

Hamiso and Holmes are elite and proven at this level. Some might want to shift Holmes to the wing — where he’s been lethal — but his combination with Hamiso is strong. This pairing feels locked in.

🧠 Halves

DCE and Munster are the Queensland halves. No need to complicate it. They’ve carried this team to massive wins over the years, and unless injury hits, they’ll keep the jerseys. That said, Tom Dearden is banging the door down — if Queensland wanted to inject some youthful zip, they could play Dearden at 6 and push Munster to fullback. Feels unlikely, but not impossible.

🪨 Props

Tino is locked. Corey Horsburgh is back and offers aggressive punch. Reuben Cotter is made for Origin. Lindsay Collins should be there if fit, but Moe Fotuaika is ready to step in. J’maine Hopgood offers a different look, but his recent form hasn’t demanded selection. Tino’s return after missing 2024 makes this Queensland pack far scarier.

🔁 Second Row

Fermor and Su’A are both strong, athletic, and can hurt you on both sides of the ball. They’ve got the temperament and power to match NSW’s edges. Some will argue for Nanai to start or Gilbert to slot in, and Cotter has been used as an edge before too. But for balance, these are the guys. Nanai comes off the bench with big attacking potential.

🧢 Lock

Carrigan or Tino — doesn’t matter. Both are leaders, both are mongrels, both rip in. Pick your favourite. They’ll both be there doing damage.

🧰 Utility

This is where Queensland miss Ben Hunt. He was perfect in the 14. Without him, they’ll have to get creative. Tom Dearden is the likely pick here, bringing energy and coverage for halves or fullback. One left-field option? Cobbo on the bench, to provide backline cover and game-breaking ability — a strategy that’s worked for them in the past.

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💬 Final Thoughts

They’ll be written off. They always are. But this Maroons team, with the right mix of experience, explosiveness and Origin DNA, will believe they can shock the Blues again.

Write them off at your peril.