Maroons prop's Origin plea for refs to 'let it slide'

West Australian

22-05-2025

Moeaki Fotuaika has urged officials to "let a few slide" when addressing how the NRL's high-shot crackdown might impact the State of Origin opener.
The Gold Coast prop has been named to start alongside clubmate Tino Faasuamaleaui in Wednesday's first game in Brisbane.
And, on the back of a series-deciding loss at Suncorp Stadium last year, the pair have made a pact to "lay the foundation" with physical defence.
Complicating that is the fact there has never been a greater NRL focus on high contact.
There were a record 18 sin-bins recorded in one round earlier this year with the Titans, at the time, the most penalised team for high-contact indiscretions.
Ahead of his 10th appearance for Queensland, Fotuaika said there was a need to manage aggression but also a hope the Origin arena would be adjudicated differently to club level.
"Controlling that aggression ... sometimes you can go a bit over the top," he said on Thursday from camp on the Sunshine Coast.
"Hoping, because it's an Origin game, they can sort of let a few slide.
"If it's a penalty game, obviously the spectators aren't going to enjoy that part.
"I'm sure the refs will work around that."
Faasuamaleaui missed last year's series with a long-term knee injury and, boasting three series wins from his four campaigns, looms as a difference maker in 2025.
"He's definitely influential," Fotuaika said.
"His presence; he's a big lad, when you have him beside you in that defensive line you have more confidence.
"It makes us a lot better.
"When Tino got the call on Sunday, after the Canberra game, he looked over at me and gave me the nod that I was getting the call after him.
"When Billy told me I would be starting alongside the big fella I was excited.
"Me and Tino have spoken about it. We want to lay the foundation for this team. We all know what we have to do."
Tough-as-nails North Queensland forward Reuben Cotter is in the same boat, taking last year's State of Origin series loss personally after the pack was outgunned in the second and third games.
Cotter has been named in the backrow but will likely spend time in the middle as he has in previous campaigns.
Tom Gilbert's pectoral injury will rule him out for a second-straight year, coach Billy Slater instead calling on rookies Trent Loiero and Beau Fermor to match it with the Blues.
"I dare say I'll find myself in the middle at some stage," Cotter told AAP.
"We're up for the fight for sure, with some troops back.
"Tino's a huge addition. Big Lindsay's (Collins) going good ... all our forwards are playing some good footy and it's good to have some size.
"Definitely we take it personally; we keep the focus on us, dial in, but nobody wants to lose at home."
Fullback Kalyn Ponga (leg) is yet to train fully with the squad but Fotuaika has no doubt he'll play next week.