Centre stage: Billy Slater confirms selection stunners with Gehamat Shibasaki to debut next to veteran Josh Papalii in Origin decider

Queensland coach Billy Slater lauded Gehamat Shibasaki’s rise as “exceptional” after producing one of the greatest selection shocks in State of Origin history by picking the Broncos centre to make his Maroons debut in next week’s decider at Accor Stadium.

The selection stunner comes on the back of the Queensland coach recalling Raiders legend Josh Papalii two years after the veteran prop forward retired from the Origin arena, with a phone call to the Canberra star confirming in Slater’s mind that he’d made the right decision.

Papalii replaces Moeaki Fotuaika in the front row and will provide power and aggression in a winner-takes-all contest in Sydney, but it’s the Shibasaki selection that no one saw coming.

Slater bypassed Broncos fullback Reece Walsh, but made him 18th man, meaning he’ll miss Friday’s blockbuster clash with the Bulldogs.

“It’s probably something that I’ve had in the back of my mind for a couple of years now, in particular this year with the way that big Papa has been playing for Canberra,” Slater said.

“I thought that this team could benefit from a bit of Josh Papalii. I was a little unsure of the response I’d get, but I spoke to Papa a couple of days ago and the response was pretty much where my head was at, which was fantastic.

“It just shows you that he’s still got that fire to play for this footy team, he’s got that fire to represent the people of Queensland and he’s got that fire to go out and do a good job for his state.”

Slater started the series by picking Robert Toia after just 10 appearances for the Roosters, and he’s now put his faith in Shibasaki, whose NRL career looked set to fizzle out after playing for four clubs in six seasons.

He only scored six tries in those six years and even spent time in Japanese rugby, but a return to Brisbane has revived his career, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow the only player in the NRL to score more than his 12 tries.

He’ll now mark Stephen Crichton, who is regarded as the best centre in the world, with Valentine Holmes to play left wing. Tabuai-Fidow shifts to fullback to replace the injured Kalyn Ponga.

“Gehamat’s story is an inspiration,” Slater said.

“Only six months ago he was on a train-and-trial contract at the Broncos playing Queensland Cup up in Townsville.

“I just think that the rise of his game over the last six months has been exceptional.

“I told him last night that you need two things to play for Queensland. The first one is you need to be capable and to have the habits in your game that are at the standard of this footy team.

“And the second one is you need the opportunity to be put in front of you. Those two things presented themselves over the weekend, and now Gehamat Shibasaki is going to play his first game for Queensland.”

Ponga will miss the decider after suffering a foot injury playing for Newcastle last week, with Slater not naming Walsh at fullback despite him being impressive since returning from his own knee issue that kept him out of the first two Origin matches.

Walsh is 18th man as the Maroons look to steal the series after losing at home and then bouncing back to stun NSW in Perth.

“I just think it’s the right fit for the footy team right now,” Slater explained.

“I think he’s in a great stage of his career.

“Reece is a great player and there’s no one prouder than me to see Reece back on the field and doing what he’s doing.

“It’s a great luxury to have them both in camp and I’m looking forward to having a week with Reece again.

“I don’t think you can make a wrong decision there, but I just think it’s the best fit for the footy team, and ‘Hammer’ deserves his opportunity to play in the one jersey for us.”

Queensland Maroons:

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Gehamat Shibasaki, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Josh Papalii, Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Reuben Cotter, Kurt Capewell, Trent Loiero, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Pat Carrigan, Jeremiah Nanai, Reece Walsh, J’maine Hopgood, Josh Kerr