Queensland’s Reece Walsh news soured by shock Selwyn Cobbo setback for State of Origin II squad

Queensland coach Billy Slater has revealed Reece Walsh is clear to return in State of Origin II at the MCG next week, while the Selwyn Cobbo mystery has been explained.

Walsh has ticked every box while sidelined by the concussion suffered when he was hit high by NSW debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii just minutes into the series opener.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Billy Slater explains shock axing.

But the positive news surrounding Queensland’s star fullback was overshadowed by two changes — including the surprise absence of Cobbo.

The star substitute who filled in so ably two weeks ago when Walsh’s concussion forced Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow out of the centres, Cobbo was ruled out just days after failing to play 80 minutes for the Broncos for the first time this season.

Slater said the decision was a combination of Cobbo being “not quite 100 per cent” and needing injections to playwhile also having “a few things he would like to work on in his game”.

“We felt it was best for Selwyn to have a rest. The Broncos have got the bye this week and I’m pretty sure if the Broncos were playing, Selwyn wouldn’t be playing for the Broncos,” Slater said.

“Selwyn has just turned 22 and we forget these guys are young and still developing physically and still developing their game and building that consistency.

“It’s not one-size-fits all. I felt it was the right thing for Selwyn to have a break and he will wear a Maroons jersey again.”

Parramatta lock J’maine Hopgood, who made his Origin debut, always looked likely to miss selection when he was unavailable for the Eels’ clash with Sydney over the weekend because of a back injury.

Former Origin heroes Kurt Capewell, who last played for Queensland in 2022, and Felise Kaufusi will replace the two omissions.

Slater said Capewell would provide great utility value and fill the void if an outside back went down with injury.

“Kurt has great versatility. He has never let Queensland down,” Slater said.

“I love the actions and habits in his game.

“He has had two games back (from a calf injury). He is nice and healthy and I’m looking forward to him coming back in a jersey.”

The 18th man in the opener, Kaufusi was activated and played when Walsh was forced out due to foul play.

Walsh has since undergone all required protocols while back with the Broncos after his mandatory 11-day stand-down period, during which he missed NRL clashes with Cronulla and South Sydney.

As long as he passes final tests in camp, Walsh will take the field against NSW in Melbourne.

“Reece has got clearance. He is good, to go,” Slater said.

“Reece is Queensland’s fullback. I saw a fair bit of form in Reece’s preparation (before game one) and I am looking forward to him going after his game.”

Queensland will seal another hat-trick of series victories with a win but must contend with a much-changed NSW side.

Blues coach Michael Maguire on Sunday night announced several big calls, including Latrell Mitchell’s return and the hard-nosed decision to drop halfback Nicho Hynes in favour of Mitch Moses.

Cameron McInnes has also become a casualty of the Blues’ series-opening loss, with Cameron Murray straight back into the team at lock on return from hip injury.

And Connor Watson will make his debut off the bench, preferred over Matt Burton as a utility, with Hudson Young the man to fall off the interchange.

Dylan Edwards has also been picked at fullback after being ruled out of Origin I with a quad strain.

“At the end of the day, you are going to be playing against quality no matter who is in the team,” Slater said when asked about Mitchell.

“We certainly do our due diligence in preparation against the opposition and give them respect, but at the same time you’ve got to give your own footy the respect and that is about going after your own game.”

The Maroons’ dissatisfaction with their overall game in Sydney, despite their win, extended to the support staff.

“I don’t think our footy was consistent. We really swung in and out of that game,” team manager and former Queensland forward Nate Myles said.

“We had a style of football we wanted to play but we didn’t execute it right.”

QUEENSLAND TEAM: 1 Reece Walsh, 2 Xavier Coates, 3 Valentine Holmes, 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow , 5 Murray Taulagi, 6 Tom Dearden, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans, 8 Reuben Cotter, 9 Ben Hunt, 10 Lindsay Collins, 11 Jaydn Su’A, 12 Jeremiah Nanai, 13 Patrick Carrigan, 14 Harry Grant, 15 Moeaki Fotuaika, 16 Felise Kaufusi, 17 Kurt Capewell, 18 Dane Gagai, 19 Heilum Luki, 20 Trent Loiero.

- with AAP

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