Maroons make massive Cherry-Evans call as NSW pick and stick for Perth match
Laurie Daley has just one forced change in a winning NSW Origin set-up as Queensland prepare to drop Daly Cherry-Evans as skipper and halfback in one of the biggest calls in State of Origin history.
Daley will still watch Monday's Canterbury-Parramatta derby with butterflies in the belly and his team list in pencil as Stephen Crichton, Max King, Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax play one last 80 minutes before the Blues Origin II squad is named.
But as it stands, Melbourne's Stefano Utoikamanu is set to replace injured front-rower Mitch Barnett up-front. The Storm prop has Blues advisor Craig Bellamy's backing, and the inside running given his increased involvement in camp leading into game one when Payne Haas was in doubt.
South Sydney's Keaon Koloamatangi and Wests Tigers' Terrell May are Daley's other primary options.
Maroons coach Billy Slater, meanwhile, is poised to call time on Daly Cherry-Evans' remarkable 26 Origin career with the series on the line - not just the biggest call of the coach's career, but one that compares to few others in the modern game.
Cowboys star Tom Dearden is set to claim the Queensland No.7 jumper Cherry-Evans has worn in every game since his Origin return in 2018. Several options - Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Pat Carrigan among them - remain live for the Queensland captaincy.
Warriors veteran Kurt Capewell was also told to stay in Sydney by Queensland officials on Sunday as his teammates flew home after thrashing Cronulla. The 31-year-old played the last of his 12 Origins in the 2024 decider and shapes as a back-row option with Reuben Cotter set to move to Slater's bench.
Queensland will confirm their Origin II squad on Monday morning, with a sternum issue for Fa'asuamaleaui already a cause for concern.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Cherry-Evans dropped in one of two Maroons changes
Queensland's Daly Cherry-Evans has become the first State of Origin captain dropped mid-series this century, as one of several huge Billy Slater selection calls. Slater will name a 20-man squad for Origin II on Monday morning, but AAP has been told Tom Dearden will replace Cherry-Evans in the No.7 jersey in Perth next Wednesday. Beau Fermor is the other player dropped after the Maroons' series-opening 18-6 loss at Suncorp Stadium, with Kurt Capewell set to replace him. Kurt Mann is then expected to take Dearden's spot on the Maroons' bench, after acting as 18th man in game one. Notably, Slater has also called Ezra Mam into the Maroons' extended squad, just three games into his return from a nine-match ban for drug driving. Mam is not expected to be part of Slater's 17, and will need scans before entering camp after injuring his knee in Brisbane's win over Gold Coast. Canberra prop Corey Horsburgh will also act as a reserve after missing out on a spot in the pack, while Melbourne centre Jack Howarth is also in the 20-man group. The Maroons are also confident prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will be fine to play, despite suffering a knock in the Titans' loss to Brisbane on Saturday and requiring pain-killing injection to his sternum at halftime. The call to leave Cherry-Evans remains one of the most seismic in recent memory from either state. He has been the Maroons' first-choice No.7 and captain since 2019, taking Queensland to three series wins, including their incredible 2020 effort. The 36-year-old has, however, come under fire since the Maroons' loss in Origin I - their second straight defeat at Suncorp Stadium. Queensland has previously dropped Trevor Gillmeister when he was captain in the 1990s. NSW last year made the call to drop James Tedesco for Origin I, before recalling him through injury and then leaving him out again for game two. But neither state has decided to drop a captain from their side midway through a series this century. Cherry-Evans' omission is even more significant considering only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origins for their state. Dearden has won two of four games starting for the Maroons at five-eighth, partnering Cherry-Evans last year and in the 2022 series-deciding win. Queensland lock Pat Carrigan said he believed the North Queensland playmaker would be ready for the challenge. "I played with Tommy when he debuted (for Brisbane) and his competitive nature hasn't changed," Maroons lock Carrigan said. "He is playing great footy for the Cowboys, and you put him in a Queensland jersey and he just grows to another level as well. "Whether it be Chez or it be Tommy, I know they can get the job done and we are going to need them to." Carrigan also spoke highly of Cherry-Evans. "Chez has done a lot for me not only as a footballer with advice but as a friend too. I love playing with him," he said. "He is a great man with great values and I know all the boys really appreciate him a lot too. "The big fella's footy speaks for itself. I know what the boys think of him and how Queensland rugby league thinks of him as well." EXPECTED QUEENSLAND SQUAD FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II Kalyn Ponga, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Moeaki Fotuaika, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Pat Carrigan, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Kurt Capewell, Trent Loiero, Ezra Mam, Jack Howarth, Corey Horsburgh Queensland's Daly Cherry-Evans has become the first State of Origin captain dropped mid-series this century, as one of several huge Billy Slater selection calls. Slater will name a 20-man squad for Origin II on Monday morning, but AAP has been told Tom Dearden will replace Cherry-Evans in the No.7 jersey in Perth next Wednesday. Beau Fermor is the other player dropped after the Maroons' series-opening 18-6 loss at Suncorp Stadium, with Kurt Capewell set to replace him. Kurt Mann is then expected to take Dearden's spot on the Maroons' bench, after acting as 18th man in game one. Notably, Slater has also called Ezra Mam into the Maroons' extended squad, just three games into his return from a nine-match ban for drug driving. Mam is not expected to be part of Slater's 17, and will need scans before entering camp after injuring his knee in Brisbane's win over Gold Coast. Canberra prop Corey Horsburgh will also act as a reserve after missing out on a spot in the pack, while Melbourne centre Jack Howarth is also in the 20-man group. The Maroons are also confident prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will be fine to play, despite suffering a knock in the Titans' loss to Brisbane on Saturday and requiring pain-killing injection to his sternum at halftime. The call to leave Cherry-Evans remains one of the most seismic in recent memory from either state. He has been the Maroons' first-choice No.7 and captain since 2019, taking Queensland to three series wins, including their incredible 2020 effort. The 36-year-old has, however, come under fire since the Maroons' loss in Origin I - their second straight defeat at Suncorp Stadium. Queensland has previously dropped Trevor Gillmeister when he was captain in the 1990s. NSW last year made the call to drop James Tedesco for Origin I, before recalling him through injury and then leaving him out again for game two. But neither state has decided to drop a captain from their side midway through a series this century. Cherry-Evans' omission is even more significant considering only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origins for their state. Dearden has won two of four games starting for the Maroons at five-eighth, partnering Cherry-Evans last year and in the 2022 series-deciding win. Queensland lock Pat Carrigan said he believed the North Queensland playmaker would be ready for the challenge. "I played with Tommy when he debuted (for Brisbane) and his competitive nature hasn't changed," Maroons lock Carrigan said. "He is playing great footy for the Cowboys, and you put him in a Queensland jersey and he just grows to another level as well. "Whether it be Chez or it be Tommy, I know they can get the job done and we are going to need them to." Carrigan also spoke highly of Cherry-Evans. "Chez has done a lot for me not only as a footballer with advice but as a friend too. I love playing with him," he said. "He is a great man with great values and I know all the boys really appreciate him a lot too. "The big fella's footy speaks for itself. I know what the boys think of him and how Queensland rugby league thinks of him as well." EXPECTED QUEENSLAND SQUAD FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II Kalyn Ponga, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Moeaki Fotuaika, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Pat Carrigan, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Kurt Capewell, Trent Loiero, Ezra Mam, Jack Howarth, Corey Horsburgh Queensland's Daly Cherry-Evans has become the first State of Origin captain dropped mid-series this century, as one of several huge Billy Slater selection calls. Slater will name a 20-man squad for Origin II on Monday morning, but AAP has been told Tom Dearden will replace Cherry-Evans in the No.7 jersey in Perth next Wednesday. Beau Fermor is the other player dropped after the Maroons' series-opening 18-6 loss at Suncorp Stadium, with Kurt Capewell set to replace him. Kurt Mann is then expected to take Dearden's spot on the Maroons' bench, after acting as 18th man in game one. Notably, Slater has also called Ezra Mam into the Maroons' extended squad, just three games into his return from a nine-match ban for drug driving. Mam is not expected to be part of Slater's 17, and will need scans before entering camp after injuring his knee in Brisbane's win over Gold Coast. Canberra prop Corey Horsburgh will also act as a reserve after missing out on a spot in the pack, while Melbourne centre Jack Howarth is also in the 20-man group. The Maroons are also confident prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will be fine to play, despite suffering a knock in the Titans' loss to Brisbane on Saturday and requiring pain-killing injection to his sternum at halftime. The call to leave Cherry-Evans remains one of the most seismic in recent memory from either state. He has been the Maroons' first-choice No.7 and captain since 2019, taking Queensland to three series wins, including their incredible 2020 effort. The 36-year-old has, however, come under fire since the Maroons' loss in Origin I - their second straight defeat at Suncorp Stadium. Queensland has previously dropped Trevor Gillmeister when he was captain in the 1990s. NSW last year made the call to drop James Tedesco for Origin I, before recalling him through injury and then leaving him out again for game two. But neither state has decided to drop a captain from their side midway through a series this century. Cherry-Evans' omission is even more significant considering only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origins for their state. Dearden has won two of four games starting for the Maroons at five-eighth, partnering Cherry-Evans last year and in the 2022 series-deciding win. Queensland lock Pat Carrigan said he believed the North Queensland playmaker would be ready for the challenge. "I played with Tommy when he debuted (for Brisbane) and his competitive nature hasn't changed," Maroons lock Carrigan said. "He is playing great footy for the Cowboys, and you put him in a Queensland jersey and he just grows to another level as well. "Whether it be Chez or it be Tommy, I know they can get the job done and we are going to need them to." Carrigan also spoke highly of Cherry-Evans. "Chez has done a lot for me not only as a footballer with advice but as a friend too. I love playing with him," he said. "He is a great man with great values and I know all the boys really appreciate him a lot too. "The big fella's footy speaks for itself. I know what the boys think of him and how Queensland rugby league thinks of him as well." EXPECTED QUEENSLAND SQUAD FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II Kalyn Ponga, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Moeaki Fotuaika, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Pat Carrigan, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Kurt Capewell, Trent Loiero, Ezra Mam, Jack Howarth, Corey Horsburgh
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Maroons make massive Cherry-Evans call as NSW pick and stick for Perth match
Laurie Daley has just one forced change in a winning NSW Origin set-up as Queensland prepare to drop Daly Cherry-Evans as skipper and halfback in one of the biggest calls in State of Origin history. Daley will still watch Monday's Canterbury-Parramatta derby with butterflies in the belly and his team list in pencil as Stephen Crichton, Max King, Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax play one last 80 minutes before the Blues Origin II squad is named. But as it stands, Melbourne's Stefano Utoikamanu is set to replace injured front-rower Mitch Barnett up-front. The Storm prop has Blues advisor Craig Bellamy's backing, and the inside running given his increased involvement in camp leading into game one when Payne Haas was in doubt. South Sydney's Keaon Koloamatangi and Wests Tigers' Terrell May are Daley's other primary options. Maroons coach Billy Slater, meanwhile, is poised to call time on Daly Cherry-Evans' remarkable 26 Origin career with the series on the line - not just the biggest call of the coach's career, but one that compares to few others in the modern game. Cowboys star Tom Dearden is set to claim the Queensland No.7 jumper Cherry-Evans has worn in every game since his Origin return in 2018. Several options - Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Pat Carrigan among them - remain live for the Queensland captaincy. Warriors veteran Kurt Capewell was also told to stay in Sydney by Queensland officials on Sunday as his teammates flew home after thrashing Cronulla. The 31-year-old played the last of his 12 Origins in the 2024 decider and shapes as a back-row option with Reuben Cotter set to move to Slater's bench. Queensland will confirm their Origin II squad on Monday morning, with a sternum issue for Fa'asuamaleaui already a cause for concern.
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
Maroons make massive Cherry-Evans call as NSW pick and stick for Perth match
Laurie Daley has just one forced change in a winning NSW Origin set-up as Queensland prepare to drop Daly Cherry-Evans as skipper and halfback in one of the biggest calls in State of Origin history. Daley will still watch Monday's Canterbury-Parramatta derby with butterflies in the belly and his team list in pencil as Stephen Crichton, Max King, Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax play one last 80 minutes before the Blues Origin II squad is named. But as it stands, Melbourne's Stefano Utoikamanu is set to replace injured front-rower Mitch Barnett up-front. The Storm prop has Blues advisor Craig Bellamy's backing, and the inside running given his increased involvement in camp leading into game one when Payne Haas was in doubt. South Sydney's Keaon Koloamatangi and Wests Tigers' Terrell May are Daley's other primary options. Maroons coach Billy Slater, meanwhile, is poised to call time on Daly Cherry-Evans' remarkable 26 Origin career with the series on the line - not just the biggest call of the coach's career, but one that compares to few others in the modern game. Cowboys star Tom Dearden is set to claim the Queensland No.7 jumper Cherry-Evans has worn in every game since his Origin return in 2018. Several options - Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Pat Carrigan among them - remain live for the Queensland captaincy. Warriors veteran Kurt Capewell was also told to stay in Sydney by Queensland officials on Sunday as his teammates flew home after thrashing Cronulla. The 31-year-old played the last of his 12 Origins in the 2024 decider and shapes as a back-row option with Reuben Cotter set to move to Slater's bench. Queensland will confirm their Origin II squad on Monday morning, with a sternum issue for Fa'asuamaleaui already a cause for concern.
