QLD’s ‘masterstroke’ move as another late switch tipped — Matty, Cronk’s Origin Verdict

Matty Johns and Cooper Cronk have given their opinion on the big selection decisions for Origin III, as well as how and where next week’s Origin decider will be won.

Despite winning game two, Slater pulled the trigger on a number of tough calls, with Queensland making three changes for Wednesday’s series decider at Accor Stadium.

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“You have to have so much respect for the way Billy goes about picking his sides because he will make really tough and unpopular calls,” Johns said on Matty and Cronk.

“It shows you he doesn’t necessarily have favourites.”

Cronk added: “He trusts his gut. It’s a huge for a coach to do with all the noise surrounding Origin.”

Read on for Matty and Cooper’s Game III selection verdict!

HAMMER AT FULLBACK OVER REECE WALSH

With Kalyn Ponga sidelined with a Lisfranc injury he suffered against the Raiders two days before the Queensland team announcement, who would wear the Maroon No. 1 came down to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Reece Walsh.

Like most pundits, Cronk thought Walsh would get the call up, however Slater decided to shift Tabuai-Fidow from the wing to fullback in Ponga’s absence with Walsh instead named 18th man.

Cronk explained why he thought Slater made the decision to pin his faith with the ‘Hammer’, pointing towards the Blues’ tactics in Game II.

“I am (surprised). I thought Reece would be fullback and Hammer would be on the wing,” Cronk said.

“Reece Walsh is the most dangerous player in our comp when he has space and ball on the front foot but when you think about it, Lomax was isolating Ponga and there was a couple of errors from Ponga under the high ball (in Game II) which was a tactic from NSW

“Who’s better under the high ball and the answer is probably Hammer over Reece.

“And then you think about the running halves of Dearden, Munster and Harry Grant, who would turn up on the inside and score a try? Hammer would. He’d see something and pre-empt it.

“I personally would have gone with Reece but I can see why Hammer was the solution.”

Billy Slater has named Reece Walsh as 18th man instead of fullback. Source: Getty Images

SHOCK DEBUT FOR BRONCOS CENTRE

When veteran prop Josh Papali’i’s call up was leaked on Sunday night, many were shocked. That would pale in comparison though to the reaction when news filtered out an hour later that Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki would be named to make his Origin debut.

Shibasaki’s remarkable emergence over the course of 12 months has been well-documented this week.

At the start of the season, he would have been 1000/1 and drifting to be picked for Queensland this series, however due some tantalising form for the Broncos, Shibasaki has been called upon by Slater.

Cronk can see why Slater went with Shibasaki, believing a bigger body is needed to limit the damage of the star Blues centre pairing of Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell.

“The reason why I would say Shibasaki was on the list is if you look at NSW in Game II, that second half they were coming and every time Latrell or Crichton touched the ball, it looked like something was going to happen,” the champion Maroons halfback said.

“I feel like Billy has gone, ‘well if this is their plan to get the ball to the centres, I need a big body’.

“Shibasaki is a big body. He’s going to be under pressure in an Origin decider but he is a big body and when Stephen Crichton comes at him, he’ll have to physically get the job done.”

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HOW PAPALII’S ORIGIN RECALL COULD FORCE HUGE LATE SWITCH

Slater decided to drop Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika for Papalii, who will make his first Origin appearance in three years.

Papalii retired from rep football in 2023, but the veteran has answered Slater’s call, with the Raiders and Maroons great hoping for a winning swansong.

He’ll certainly add plenty of punch to a Maroons pack, with Papalii set to start alongside Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

“I just love this as a neutral and a lover of the game,” Johns said.

“I think it’s a masterstroke from Billy. Pick the big boy who is in great form.”

Cronk said that Papalii’s recall means Pat Carrigan should start at lock over Trent Loiero to form a fearsome pack in the early going.

“Papa is a good move, Tino is going to be inspired playing alongside him,” Cronk said.

“I would say the presence of Papa is going to ignite something in the Queensland forward pack.

“If I was Billy I’d make a late change to start Pat Carrigan. Tino, Papa and Carrigan can outmuscle Max King when he runs the footy and Isaah Yeo when he runs the footy.

“I just think starting the game with Patrick Carrigan will be a good thing.”

Josh Papalii will play his first State of Origin game in three years. Source: Getty Images

Additionally, Johns and Cronk both agreed with the Blues’ call to keep Stefano Utoikamanu in the 17.

Rabbitohs gun Keaon Koloamatangi did everything he could to earn selection over the past six weeks, but Laurie Daley stuck fat with Utoikamanu.

“I like it a lot. I like the loyalty shown,” Johns said.

VERDICT

Both Matty and Cooper provided their thoughts on where the game could be won and lost for each side.

Johns: “I like the Blues team. I think there are certain aspects of our game which needs tidying up. The discipline is a clear one. I think we’ve got to get a lot of early ball to Crichton and Latrell Mitchell.”

Cronk: “I think this is where the game won and lost. If Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell have an impact with 20-30 touches, they’ll set something up and score tries off the back of it. If Crichton and Latrell play well, Queensland lose. If not, Queensland win.”

Johns: “It’s interesting the mindset of Cleary. I love how he plays gunbarrel straight but I’d like to see him vary a little but. My feeling is that Slater will say to the centres Rob Toia and Shibasaki to get up quick on defence.”

Cronk: “The key defensively for NSW would be to stop the spine running the ball. Stop Munster running the ball. He had 15 carries in Game II, you just can’t let him do that. If they do, if they put his eggs in trying to stop Munster which they will, someone like Harry Grant needs to take advantage.”

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