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Corey Parker's Queensland Game I Origin squad
Charles Goodsir • May 6th, 2025 12:24 pm
SENQ’s Corey Parker has named his Queensland Maroons side for Game I of the 2025 State of Origin series.
After claiming victory in the opening match of the 2024 series in Sydney, Queensland were ambushed in Game II in Melbourne and then humbled in Game III on their home turf in Brisbane to surrender the trophy to NSW.
Can they get the jump on the Blues in this year's Game I at Suncorp Stadium on May 28?
Parker has picked the squad he believes can get the job done.
Parker’s Queensland Game I team
Fullback: Kalyn Ponga
“It was a big talking point on whether it was going to be Reece Walsh, Ponga or even Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.
“For me, I’ve gone with Kalyn Ponga.”
Wingers: Xavier Coates & Selwyn Cobbo
Centres: Valentine Holmes & Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
“Valentine’s form has been up and down. I’m sure he’d want to be playing more consistently.”
Five-Eighth: Cameron Munster
Halfback: Daly Cherry-Evans
Props: Corey Horsburgh & Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
“Tino is a huge inclusion because he wasn’t there last year. This is what excites me.
“Corey Horsburgh I’m rewarding consistency. He’s in the front row.”
Hooker: Harry Grant
“At the moment, it’s fingers crossed that he will play.
“Hopefully he'll come back from injury and I think that will be the case.”
Second Rowers: Jeremiah Nanai & Jayden Su’A
“Nanai, on the back of being dropped to reserve grade over a month ago, has been back to his scintillating best.
“There’s plenty of aggression with the likes of Su’A.”
Lock: Patrick Carrigan
Bench: Tom Dearden, Tom Gilbert, Beau Fermor & Reuben Cotter or Lindsay Collins
“For the last 10 years, Ben Hunt has been the number 14 and he’s found that role and done his job.
“Unfortunately for Ben, I can’t go past what I see from Tom Dearden. So for me, Tom Dearden goes into that 14 role.
“I’m going to reward a debut from the bench to Beau Fermor (who) can play anywhere.
“This is where I’m stuck between Lindsay Collins or Reuben Cotter.”
Reserves: Ben Hunt & Jaxon Purdue
“I’ve got Ben Hunt as the 18th man (and) the 18th man could play (because of concussion).”
The full list
1 - Kalyn Ponga2 - Xavier Coates3 - Valentine Holmes4 - Hamiso Tabui-Fidow5 - Selwyn Cobbo6 - Cameron Munster7 - Daly Cherry-Evans8 - Corey Horsburgh9 - Harry Grant10 - Tino Fa'asuamaleaui11 - Jeremiah Nanai12 - Jayden Sua13 - Patrick Carrigan14 - Tom Dearden15 - Tom Gilbert16 - Beau Fermor17 - Reuben Cotter or Lindsay Collins18 - Ben Hunt19 - Jaxon Purdue
