'So wrong': Billy Slater under fire for Ezra Mam call as Maroons axe Cherry-Evans
Queensland coach Billy Slater is facing mounting criticism after calling up controversial Broncos star Ezra Mam to his State of Origin squad for Game 2, according to . While veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has become the first Maroons skipper this century to be axed mid-series as Slater attempts to keep the series alive in Game 2 in Perth and help Queensland try to avoid a first Blues clean sweep in 25 years.
Slater will officially unveil Queensland's squad on Monday morning, but it's understood Cherry-Evans will not feature in the 20-man group. Instead, Slater has handed Tom Dearden the Maroons' No.7 jersey after the Cowboys star was one of the rare shining lights off the bench for Queensland in the series opener.
In another eye-opening call, Slater has decided to drop Titans edge forward Beau Fermor and hand a recall to veteran Warriors star Kurt Capewell, who played Games 2 and 3 in last year's series after being overlooked for Game 1. Capewell was told by Maroons officials to remain behind in Australia rather than travel back to New Zealand with the rest of his teammates after the Warriors' impressive round 14 victory over the Sharks on Saturday.
The most contentious call appears to be the inclusion of Mam in the Maroons' extended 20-man squad, with many critics arguing that he shouldn't even be playing this season. Mam is only three games back from a nine-week suspension for a drug-driving scandal last October.
RELATED:
'Shouldn't be involved': Wayne Bennett hit with ban by NRL
Mary Fowler dream could be ruined amid Nathan Cleary news
The Brisbane star has already had a taste of the public backlash against him after being mercilessly booed during Brisbane's thumping by Manly in round 13. Mam had a solid hit-out in Brisbane's big win over the Titans on Saturday night but suffered a minor strain to his knee that requires an MRI scan. But his inclusion in Slater's extended Maroons squad has left many fans seeing red.
This is so wrong on so many levels. He should'nt even be playing NRL this year
— Alice (@Aliceh_1936) June 8, 2025
They always used to bang on about QLD owning loyalty and they 'pick & stick' I don't understand this! But then I'm from NSW and was always told we don't 'get Origin!' I love this. Hopefully your lack of humility comes back twofold over the next few years!
— Luke A (@hayrooster) June 8, 2025
Ezra man playing origin will be popcorn stuff there will be fights definitely. Can't believe no Fogarty or Corey hors.
— Zeldon Singh (@SinghZeldon) June 8, 2025
Some things matter more than winning , and I just can't get behind Mam. He shouldn't be playing this season, let alone wearing a QLD jersey. This isn't on Mam; it's a failure of leadership in the game. They got it wrong. Again.#NRL #StateOfOrigin @FOXNRL @BuzzRothfield
— JM (@byjohnmartin) June 8, 2025
If Queensland pick Mam they lose all hope and respect. You just can't put him on the highest platform we have. He doesn't deserve it.
— Harry Knight (@hjknight92) June 8, 2025
Sack their captain and name Mam. Building great team culture..Stick and pick irrelevant after one game . Qld is a shambles
— billy (@willwillia92973) June 8, 2025
Slater's biggest call is undoubtedly deciding to axe his skipper Cherry-Evans though, with Maroons legend Trevor Gillmeister the last Queensland captain to be dropped mid-series in the 1990s. Only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origin games for the state than DCE, making the call even more significant.
The writing was on the wall for Cherry-Evans after Game 1 though, with growing calls for Dearden to replace the veteran No.7 after his superb form this season and impact off the bench in the series opener. Dearden's No.14 role for the Maroons is expected to be taken by Kurt Mann, who was part of the extended Maroons squad for Game 1.
Plenty of fans have also called for Corey Horsburgh's inclusion to inject some much needed mongrel into a Queensland forward pack that was dominated in the Origin opener. But the Canberra forward has had to make do with a spot amongst the reserves with Mam and Storm centre Jack Howarth.
Blues coach Laurie Daley looks set to stick solid with the side that got the job done in Game 1, with Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu's inclusion at the expense of the injured Mitch Barnett the only enforced change. Rabbitohs wrecking ball Keaon Koloamatangi put up a strong case for inclusion but will have to settle for a spot in the extended squad alongside Matt Burton, Haumole Olakau'atu and Campbell Graham, with Tigers prop Terrell May once again overlooked.
1 Kalyn Ponga 2 Xavier Coates 3 Robert Toia 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5 Valentine Holmes 6 Cameron Munster 7 Tom Dearden 8 Mo Fotuaika 9 Harry Grant 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11 Kurt Capewell 12 Jeremiah Nanai 13 Pat Carrigan Interchange: 14 Kurt Mann 15 Lindsay Collins 16 Reuben Cotter 17 Trent Loiero Reserves: Ezra Mam Jack Howarth Corey Horsburgh
1 Dylan Edwards 2 Brian To'o 3 Stephen Crichton 4 Latrell Mitchell 5 Zac Lomax 6 Mitch Moses 7 Nathan Cleary 8 Stefano Utoikamanu 9 Reece Robson 10 Payne Haas 11 Liam Martin 12 Angus Crichton 13 Isaah Yeo Interchange: 14 Connor Watson 15 Spencer Leniu 16 Hudson Young 17 Max King Reserves: Matt Burton Haumole Olakau'atu Campbell Graham Keaon Koloamatangi
with AAP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Slater's brutal moment in axing of Cherry-Evans as QLD coach dodges key question
Billy Slater has revealed details of the difficult conversation he had with Daly Cherry-Evans after axing him as Maroons captain for Origin Game 2. Slater confirmed his 20-man squad on Monday morning for the must-win clash in Perth on Wednesday week, with Tom Dearden taking over the No.7 jersey and replacing DCE, who has captained the Maroons for the last four years. However, Slater dodged questions about who would take over the captaincy from DCE and said a decision would be announced on Tuesday. The Maroons coach admitted he had a 'tough' conversation with Cherry-Evans on Sunday night after informing the veteran halfback of his decision, and was told by DCE that he was keen to play on. But ultimately the call came down to Slater, who becomes the first Queensland coach to axe his captain mid-series since Trevor Gillmesiter was dropped in the 1990s. Slater did not go into detail about why he chose to dump DCE, but suggested it was more to do with the impressive form of Dearden, who injected much needed spark off the bench in Game 1 and has been excellent in the halves for the Cowboys this season. 'We don't take any decision lightly, whether it's a player keeping their spot or another player coming in. All Queenslanders are considered,' Slater told reporters about his decision on Monday. 'We just feel Tom is the right person for the number seven jersey right now. First of all, you won't hear a negative word from me about Daly Cherry-Evans. 'What he has given this jersey and what he has done for this footy team and this group, that will be with all Queenslanders and with Daly for the rest of his life. No one can take that away from him. We just feel that Tom Dearden has earned the opportunity to play in the number seven jersey.' Slater said he phoned DCE on Sunday night to inform him he'd been dropped and praised the manner in which the veteran accepted the bad news. The Queensland coach admitted it was not an easy conversation after Cherry-Evans told him that he was keen to continue leading the side. 'Obviously Daly wanted to play and he was disappointed that he wasn't going to get the opportunity,' added Slater. 'We had a good conversation and we have a great relationship. I have played alongside Daly, and I've been the coach and he has been the captain over the last four years. We have shared some great memories and he has done some really good things. They are tough conversations but it was one that was had with a lot of respect.' Cherry-Evans is considered by many to be a scapegoat of the Maroons' loss in Game 1, where the Queensland forwards were dominated by the Blues' pack and failed to lay a platform for the halves. But Slater says the inclusion of Dearden is what he determined to be "the best thing for the footy team" and backed the 24-year-old to take the reins for his state. Titans edge forward Beau Fermor is the other player to be axed from the Maroons' Game 1 side, with Warriors veteran Kurt Capewell earning a recall and expected to be in contention for a starting spot. Kurt Mann is expected to take over Dearden's No.14 role, while Slater copped backlash for selecting controversial Broncos star Ezra Mam in his extended squad, with the 22-year-old only three games back from a nine-week suspension for last year's drug-driving scandal. Cherry-Evans' axing also means the Maroons need to appoint a new captain, with Harry Grant, Patrick Carrigan, Cameron Munster and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui the leading candidates. Slater did not confirm who would get the nod on Monday but suggested that announcement would be made at Maroons camp on Tuesday. 'We've got quite a few club captains,' Slater said. 'Quite a few leaders within the footy team, so I feel whenever you play for the Queensland team you're a leader in your own right anyway, no matter how old you are or what you've done in the past. Whoever is named captain, they're going to get a fair bit of support from the leaders around him.' 1 Kalyn Ponga 2 Xavier Coates 3 Robert Toia 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5 Valentine Holmes 6 Cameron Munster 7 Tom Dearden 8 Mo Fotuaika 9 Harry Grant 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11 Kurt Capewell 12 Jeremiah Nanai 13 Pat Carrigan Interchange: 14 Kurt Mann 15 Lindsay Collins 16 Reuben Cotter 17 Trent Loiero Reserves: Ezra Mam Jack Howarth Corey Horsburgh
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Have you watched him? Maroons defend Mam's selection
Billy Slater has defended picking Ezra Mam for State of Origin just three games after his return from a drug-driving ban, adamant the Brisbane star will add to Queensland's squad. Mam is expected to be rolled out as 18th man for next Wednesday's must-win clash at Optus Stadium in Perth, after being named in Slater's 20-man squad. The uncapped Maroon will undergo scans on his knee before entering camp on Monday, after copping a knock in the Broncos' win over Gold Coast on Saturday night. Queensland are confident he will be fit to line up, with Slater describing the injury as a "bump" when he unveiled his squad on Monday morning. QLD ARE LOCKED IN 🚨 Representing the state for #Origin II. — NRL (@NRL) June 8, 2025 It was always going to be contentious, with Slater dropping captain Daly Cherry-Evans and picking Tom Dearden to wear the No.7 jersey. But Mam's selection has added to the headlines. The Brisbane five-eighth copped a nine-match ban for crashing a car while driving unlicensed and with drugs in his system last October. Three occupants of the Uber he collided with were injured, including a woman and her young daughter. Mam was fined $120,000 by the NRL and subsequently attended a rehabilitation facility and worked on a job site before returning to pre-season training in January. Slater said he had not had a chance to sense how remorseful Mam was, having only spoken to the 22-year-old on Sunday night to inform him of his selection. "He's the right person for that position right now," Slater said. "I am sure people will have their speculation around all the people selected. That is OK, everyone is entitled to their opinion. "He has been doing a great job since he returned. We feel the squad will benefit from him being here." Mam has played three NRL games since his return to the playing arena and was booed repeatedly by the Brookvale Oval crowd in the recent 34-6 loss to Manly. But Slater said there was no question over whether the Indigenous star had done enough to prove his worth to the Maroons squad. "Have you watched the couple of games back? He has been pretty good, I don't think he has skipped a beat," Slater said. "By all reports he has been doing a lot of training through the first half of the year while he was sitting out. "He has been in this position before and been part of this squad before. I am sure he will take his opportunity if presented." On one level Mam's inclusion should come as no surprise. After his three-try display in the 2023 grand final he was brought into his first pre-season Maroons camp in February of 2024. Slater then invited him into camp ahead of game one of the 2024 Origin series as a player identified as a potential long-term in Queensland player.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Good enough': Pat Cummins' eye-opening call about Aussie opener for WTC final
Australia captain Pat Cummins has the chance to become the first skipper to lead his team to back-to-back World Test Cricket Championships. In a one-on-one sit-down interview with Yahoo Sport Australia ahead of this week's final against South Africa at Lord's, he spoke about Australia's "good" problem at the top of the order, Kagiso Rabada's return from a drugs ban, the MCC members and even Ange Postecoglou's Spurs sacking. Speaking two days out from the start of the final, Cummins insists nothing is set in concrete as far as the top order is concerned. But it appears Marnus Labuschagne may have his nose in front of Sam Konstas for the vacant opening position, with Cameron Green likely to bat at 3. "There are three or four guys to fit into one spot and you can mount a case for basically any one of them. It's a really good problem to have. The selectors will get together in the next 48 hours and have a good look at the wicket and stay open-minded," he said. "Marn's batted three pretty much his whole career and there's been many games where he's walked out in the first over against the swinging ball. I know a lot of the batters probably say it makes a difference where they bat in the order, but for me he's good enough to play anywhere. "It tends to be that way (Labuschagne at his best when cornered). In the ODI World Cup, it was almost like every game was pretty close to (possibly being the end) but he hung in there and finds a way." Now into its third edition, the World Test Championship has fast become a coveted title. Australia has the chance to become the first team to win consecutive crowns. "I think the journey to make a final is tough. You've got to win away and home across two years and you need a real strong squad of players," Cummins pointed out. "For us, it's hugely relevant and a huge achievement to make the final. The opportunity to go back-to-back's really big." RELATED: Cricket world stunned as rival joins Glenn Maxwell in immediate exit Mitchell Starc's sad career call after difficult decision with wife They're a side we don't know super well in red ball cricket but have played most of them in white ball. And playing them with a Duke's (ball) over in England, you can't quite match it up exactly to previous tours. What we do know is they will be strong with both bat and ball." The South African quick's speedy return following a reduced drugs ban raised a few eyebrows in the cricketing world, as did his follow-up comments that he expects a verbal barrage from the Aussies. Cummins said: "He's always up for a Test match. He gets them going and is pretty fiery. I'm sure he will be a challenge but our batters are up for it," Cummins said. "I think all our batters can look at their attack and where we've done well against him and draw confidence from that." As for the Rabada drugs controversy, the Aussie skipper said: "It's got nothing to do with us. He can play so it doesn't really bother us." The last time the Australians were at Lord's for a Test match, all hell broke loose after the members physically and verbally attacked the tourists in the wake of the Jonny Bairstow stumping. Measures have been put in place to keep members away from the players, but Cummins is not expecting any lingering hostility. "The good thing about London is there's lots of Aussies here and they are keen to come to the game," he said. "I think it's pretty packed crowds for most of the days and it'll be interesting to see (the support levels for both teams). It always feel like we've got pretty decent support here." While Australia's first point of business is the WTC final, there is no escaping the Ashes buzz in England. The Poms, for their part, are promising to tweak their Bazball approach while dropping some of the corporate talk. "Everyone's already talking about it but I don't see too much connection from this to the Ashes," Cummins said. "But if we go into the summer holding two maces, that would be a nice thing for our group to do. I haven't seen anything (about walking back from Bazball), because I'm always just worried about what we do and not too bothered about what the opposition do." Cummins holds the highest office in Australian sport and was in London when Spurs dropped the axe on manager Ange Postecoglou just 16 days after the club's Europa Cup success. He empathises with his fellow Aussie and cricket tragic, saying: "It's a shame to see, especially after winning that trophy. I know the league's been a bit tough, but he's been a successful coach for a long time and I'm sure he'll bounce back and another team will snap him up pretty quickly." The ICC World Test Championship final (June 11-15) is on Prime Video and available to all members in Australia at no additional cost to their membership. Coverage starts 7.30pm (AEST). Pat Cummins is a Prime Video ambassador.
