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The Live Sport Bible is here!Walsh recalled as Dolphin debuts in new Maroons squad
Joel Gould, AAP •  June 8th, 2026 7:49 am
Reece Walsh & Billy Slater | Photo: AAP
Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has been recalled and Dolphins wrecking ball Kulikefu Finefeuiaki handed a Queensland debut for the second State of Origin showdown in Melbourne.
North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi has also been recalled and will join Walsh on an extended bench as the Maroons aim to square the series on June 17 at the MCG.
Finefeuiaki, 20th man in game one, is set to take his place on the bench after coach Billy Slater made tweaks to his starting side.
The ankle injury to Broncos forward Pat Carrigan, who came off the bench in the 22-20 loss to NSW in game one, has opened the door for Finefeuiaki, who has been a powerhouse in the Dolphins' surge into the NRL's top eight.
He is essentially an edge player, so Slater has switched game one lock Max Plath to the bench, elevated Cronulla forward Briton Nikora to the starting side in the back-row and moved North Queensland co-captain Reuben Cotter to lock.
Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has been recalled and Dolphins wrecking ball Kulikefu Finefeuiaki handed a Queensland debut for the second State of Origin showdown in Melbourne.
North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi has also been recalled and will join Walsh on an extended bench as the Maroons aim to square the series on June 17 at the MCG.
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Finefeuiaki, 20th man in game one, is set to take his place on the bench after coach Billy Slater made tweaks to his starting side.
The ankle injury to Broncos forward Pat Carrigan, who came off the bench in the 22-20 loss to NSW in game one, has opened the door for Finefeuiaki, who has been a powerhouse in the Dolphins' surge into the NRL's top eight.
He is essentially an edge player, so Slater has switched game one lock Max Plath to the bench, elevated Cronulla forward Briton Nikora to the starting side in the back-row and moved North Queensland co-captain Reuben Cotter to lock.
Slater has stuck with the same starting backline from game one.
The Maroons' starters in recent matches have been top notch.
They blasted out of the blocks in game one in Sydney to lead 20-0 after 21 minutes, before being run down.
In the decider last year, the Queenslanders led 20-0 at halftime before winning 24-12.
And in game two in Perth in 2025, they led 26-6 after 40 minutes before triumphing 26-24.
Slater has got his starting team right and the players have responded.
The second half has been an issue, with the Maroons scoring just 10 points in their last four second halves combined.
Queensland will officially name their game-two side on Monday.
Queensland squad for Origin II
Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jojo Fifita, Cameron Munster, Sam Walker, Thomas Flegler, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Briton Nikora, Kurt Capewell, Reuben Cotter, Max Plath, Lindsay Collins, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki,Trent Loiero, Reece Walsh, Murray Taulagi, Heilum Luki (20th man).
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of State of Origin II on June 17 - available on all NZ frequencies and the app.
Kurt Capewell on State of Origin's emotional and physical intensity | Sport Nation
