‘He’s a world-class centre’: Injuries wreak havoc as Billy Slater names three debutants for Origin opener

Queensland coach Billy Slater has named three debutants for the State of Origin series opener after a chaotic weekend of injuries forced several changes for the Maroons who are looking to win back the shield after last year’s 2-1 defeat.

Roosters rookie Robert Toia is the bolter in the squad, with the 20-year-old picked after just 10 NRL appearances this season.

He’ll start at right centre, with Slater also picking Beau Fermor and Trent Loiero to make their Queensland debuts off the bench.

“Things change all the time and we had some things happen last night that were out of our control,” Slater said.

“You wait until that selection time, you get all those health reports and you pick Queensland’s best team, and that’s what we’ve felt we’ve done.

“Robert Toia, I’ve been watching him closely – not just the stuff he’s been doing with the football – but he’s got good principles in his game.

“I know his coach at the Roosters has got a really high opinion of that part of his game, and that phone call last night is one I’ll remember for a long time.

“I think he’s a world-class centre. Although he’s only 10 games into his NRL career, he’s been through a bit of adversity.”

It was a costly weekend for the Maroons, with Origin hopefuls Tom Gilbert (pec), Murray Taulagi (calf) and Selwyn Cobbo (wrist) all ruled out, while Reece Walsh is also unavailable as the superstar fullback continues to recover from a knee issue.

Daly Cherry-Evans will captain the side despite not being at his best for the Sea Eagles, with the veteran halfback to partner the returning Cameron Munster who missed last year’s series through injury.

Tom Dearden will play the utility role off the bench, with Jeremiah Nanai to start in the back row after finding form following his shock demotion to reserve grade earlier this season.

Kurt Mann, Jesse Arthars and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki are all part of the extended squad.

Maroons squad

1. Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)

2. Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)

3. Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)

4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)

5. Valentine Holmes (St George Illawarra Dragons)

6. Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)

7. Daly Cherry-Evans © (Manly Sea Eagles)

8. Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans)

9. Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)

11. Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)

12. Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys)

13. Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)

14. Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys)

15. Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)

16. Beau Fermor (Gold Coast Titans)

17. Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm)

18. Kurt Mann (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

19. Jesse Arthars (Brisbane Broncos)

20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins)