The Queensland team for Game I has been officially revealed, with coach Billy Slater having to deal with some late injury carnage which forced a couple of shock selections.
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Read on for all of the winners and losers from the Maroons’ squad reveal.
WINNERS
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ROBERT TOIA
Robert Toia’s inclusion came as a huge shock in Billy Slater’s Monday team announcement, earning his Origin debut after only 10 NRL games.
The 20-year-old has long been touted as a star of the future, but injuries hampered him during his time in the Roosters pathways system, suffering two ACL ruptures.
However, Slater has seen enough to draft him into the Maroons backline, shifting Valentine Holmes to the wing to accommodate the young gun.
“I think he’s a world class centre, I think he is a top line centre. Although he is only ten games into his NRL career, he has been through a bit of adversity,” Slater said on Monday morning.
“I know his coach has a really high opinion of him and watching the principles he has in his game, we think he is of Origin class.
“Looking forward to having him and looking forward to helping build his game into our footy team.”
Toia’s rise to the Origin arena has come faster than anyone could expect, having only made his NRL debut in Round 1 under Trent Robinson.
Only one player has made their Origin debut with less first grade experience under their belt, with Ben Ikin playing only four games.
In the NRL era, Toia’s ten games equals Payne Haas’ record marking a true baptism of fire for the rising star who could line up against arguably the most damaging centres in the game in Latrell Mitchell and Stephen Crichton.
State of Origin players with fewest first grade appearances (NRL era only)
*Robert Toia (10 games)
Payne Haas (10 games)
Brent Tate (14 games)
Matt Scott (14 games)
Carl Webb (15 games)
Xavier Coates (15 games)
Will Hopoate (15 games)
Jeremiah Nanai (16 games)
Harry Grant (17 games)
Cameron Smith (18 games)
TRENT LOEIRO
Trent Loeiro’s debut comes after 85 games of consistent football for the Storm gun, with his talents truly being unlocked after a shift to lock.
The 24-year-old played off the bench and in the back row until the start of the 2024 season when he moved to the middle, using his 192cm frame and ball-playing skills.
Loeiro’s inclusion could mark a long-term stint in the Queensland forward pack for the Storm gun, who has previously been included in the Maroons squad in Game III last year.
What’s more, Loeiro already has combinations with two key members of the Queensland spine in Cameron Munster and Harry Grant.
That connection likely played a role in Loeiro’s selection, but regardless the Storm gun has well and truly earnt his spot through consistent and tough performances.
BEAU FERMOR
Despite the fact the Titans are parked at the bottom of the table, Fermor has been a rare bright spot for the Gold Coast.
His form has been so strong that he’s kept David Fifita out of his preferred left back row position.
Fermor is a physical and skilful edge forward who knows how to find the try line. He has plenty of attributes which will lend itself well to the Origin arena.
It’s a deserved nod for Fermor, who was knocking on the door of Maroons selection back in 2022 when he was named in the squad for games two and three.
Unfortunately, an ACL rupture ended his 2023 campaign before it started, which was obviously a massive setback to his position in the Queensland pecking order.
To his credit, he’s not only fought back to be one of the form second rowers this season, but has now earned a well-deserved Origin debut.
While he’s been named on the bench, don’t be surprised to see Fermor come into the starting side at the expense of Reuben Cotter.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
No coach loves seeing his players picked for Origin teams more than Ricky Stuart does, but while he’ll be disappointed that Corey Horsburgh and Xavier Savage missed out for Queensland, Stuart will be glad the pair are available as the Raiders embark on a tricky road trip.
The Raiders will face the Warriors in New Zealand this weekend in a blockbuster clash between the second and third placed teams.
Just one player from each team will be out because of Origin commitments, those being Mitch Barnett (Warriors) and Hudson Young (Raiders).
What’s more is that Savage and especially Horsburgh will be very hungry to put themselves in the frame for Game II.
That can only be a good thing for the Raiders this weekend
LOSERS
KURT MANN
Kurt Mann has been in fine form for the Bulldogs this year and is unlucky not to have slotted onto the bench for Queensland.
The 32-year-old could have been the third oldest Origin debutant, behind only the great Arthur Beetson in 1980 and Blues enforcer Tony Butterfield in 1998.
Mann has been the heart and soul of Cameron Ciraldo’s emergent Canterbury side, playing off the bench and at lock.
The former Knights gun has played arguably the most consistent football of his career in Belmore and Slater is no stranger to the small middle forward.
Slater and Mann were teammates at the start of the latter’s career, spending two years together in Melbourne.
However, there wasn’t room for Mann on the bench who could have been considered a solid option for the utility role eventually won by Tom Dearden after an injury to Ben Hunt.
Mann has the ability to play at lock, in the back row and at hooker however Dearden’s form and his halves experience likely saw him get the nod.
TOM GILBERT
It’s hard not to feel for Dolphins star Tom Gilbert.
He’s been terrific for the Dolphins this year in his return from an ACL injury, which kept him out of the 2024 season.
Gilbert was on track to be named in the team for Game I, but a cruel fate intervened when the forward suffered a pec injury which will likely sideline him for several weeks.
Gilbert has had some rough luck with injuries since debuting in 2021.
In addition to his ACL injury last year, Gilbert missed most of 2023 with a shoulder injury he suffered in Origin Game I that year.
Slater referenced that when discussing Gilbert’s recent setback, implying he would have been picked had the injury not occurred over the weekend.
“He’s come back from not just one injury, but several. The last time he played for QLD he had his arm hanging down and he still wanted to stay on the field and that’s the type of player and person that Tom Gilbert is,” Slater said in a press conference on Monday.
“I really for those sort of guys, because footy is their life. They put so much into it, I know how hard they work and what they sacrifice and now this opportunity to play for Queensland right now has been taken away from him because another injury. I feel for Tom.”
COREY HORSBURGH
The Raiders firebrand was in most predicted Queensland teams circling in the media over the past few weeks, but in a surprise, was left out of the 20-man squad completely.
Horsburgh has enjoyed a strong bounce back season for the resurgent Raiders, playing a leading hand for a pack considered the best in the comp.
Horsburgh’s Origin future appeared on thin ice last year when he spent most of the season on the sideline or in reserve grade in part due to a feud with Ricky Stuart.
Credit to Horsburgh though, he clearly worked hard in the off-season, cutting a meaner, leaner figure in 2025.
He’s reaped the rewards on the field, with Horsburgh in the midst of a career year.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough for Horsburgh to win a spot in Slater’s squad.
“There’s a number of players who just missed out. Unfortunately, only 17 can play for Queensland in Game I,” Slater said.
“That doesn’t mean those players won’t get another opportunity.
“You need two things to be at this level. The first thing is you need to be playing of the standard of this footy team and what they’ve created over the last few years and the second thing is the opportunity needs to arise.
“He’s certainly ticking one of those boxes Corey. When that opportunity arises, I’m sure he’ll take it.”
KURT CAPEWELL
Capewell’s fate appeared to sealed when reports came out on Saturday night that Warriors star Mitch Barnett remained in Australia while club teammate Capewell headed back across the Tasman.
Even as injury carnage hit the Maroons when Tom Gilbert suffered a serious pec injury and a pair of outside backs in Murray Taulagi and Selwyn Cobbo were ruled out, Capewell wasn’t given a late call up as a potential option at centre, where he’s played so well at for the Warriors during their five-game win streak.
Slater drew criticism for picking Capewell in games two and three last year, with the Maroons losing both.
Capewell didn’t so much in those Origin encounters, so he started this year on the back foot when it came to Queensland selection hopes.
Considering he missed out on the squad entirely, it could mark the end of the 31-year-old’s Origin career.
GOLD COAST TITANS
Life is about to get even tougher for the Titans, who have lost three of their best players to Origin selection.
Coaches will always say they want their players picked for representative footy because they return better for the experience.
But with the Titans sitting at the bottom of the ladder after 11 rounds, you wouldn’t blame coach Des Hasler for secretly hoping none of his players were picked – especially when there’s reportedly a clause in his contract that allows the club to part ways with him if the team misses finals.
Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and star prop Moeaki Fotuaika have been selected for their 13th and 10th Origin games respectively, while Beau Fermor has been rewarded for his impressive start to the season with an Origin debut off the bench for Queensland.
For many clubs the Origin period is a chance for emerging players to step up and make the most of an opportunity. But the Titans will be fighting for their lives over the next six weeks – and they don’t exactly have the kindest draw.
The Titans have the bye this week but then face the Storm, Broncos, Sea Eagles, Eels and Cowboys before another bye.
Their depth will be tested and Hasler’s patience will be tested. But if they can galvanise and string some wins together over this Origin period it could be a turning point for their season.
