Billy Slater drops another staggering Queensland team decision
Just 24 hours after the Queensland coach announced his decision to axe halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, it has been revealed the Melbourne Storm legend is set to make another gigantic gamble by promoting Storm forward Trent Loiero into the starting side.
As first reported by Code Sports, Slater on Tuesday said Loiero will start the game playing at lock with Mo Fotuaika and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui keeping their spots in the front row.
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Slater is also set to make another shock call by dumping Jeremiah Nani to the bench and replacing him in the starting side with Kurt Capewell.
Capewell's return sees Beau Fermor dropped from the squad.
It has been suggested Carrigan's move to sit on the pine is a tactical shift to stop NSW from getting the upper hand when Blues coach Laurie Daley decides to use his interchanges.
However, it has also been reported Slater's decision is a 'kick up the backside' for Carrigan not to get complacent.
Slater has started the shadow games early with the under-pressure coach still having the option of making more changes in the hours before kick-off.
Slater announced the Maroons squad by alphabetical order on Monday, instead of handing each player a jersey number.
The bizarre decision to take Carrigan out of the starting team has left some NRL commentators staggered.
The ABC's Zane Bojack posted on X: 'Don't understand Carrigan in bench.
'Surely he swaps with Moe before kick off. Got told it was a kick up the backside for Pat from Billy thinking he has got too comfortable.'
NRL Twitter commentator Eden Richards wrote on X: 'QLD could have Carrigan starting at lock and Hors starting at prop but Billy's decided Loiero at lock and Mo at prop is a better option…. I don't get it.
'We are so cooked.'
Another fan wrote: 'That's crazy. Carrigan is one of the best forwards in the game. Also, he should be captain instead of Munster'.
The Maroons need to win in Perth on Wednesday, June 18, to keep the series alive.
Slater has been forced to admit he got it wrong in selecting Cherry-Evans for the series opener with Cowboys halfback Tom Dearden to start in the halves alongside Cameron Munster.
The storm five-eighth was on Tuesday unveiled as Queensland's captain.
Munster was picked ahead of his Melbourne Storm captain and Maroons teammate Harry Grant as well as Gold Coast Titans skipper Fa'asuamaleaui.
The clash in Perth on Wednesday will be Munster's 20th Origin appearance for Queensland, having won the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series in 2020.
Slater also confirmed Canterbury Bulldogs forward Kurt Mann would play his first game for Queensland in a new-look team that has to beat the Blues to force a game three decider to avoid losing a second straight series.
Controversial Broncos star Ezra Mam has also been named in Slater's 20-man squad - just three games back from his drug-driving scandal - along with Raiders enforcer Corey Horsburgh and boom Storm centre Jack Howarth.
The decision to pick Mam was promptly labelled a 'disgrace' by NRL fans, who felt Slater had lost the plot.
Mam will reportedly wear the No.18 jersey as the Maroons' replacement player.
Slater insists DCE is not the scapegoat
Slater has moved to play down Cherry-Evans axing, denying claims DCE was used as the team's scapegoat for an underwhelming Game 1 showing.
'It's not the case (Cherry-Evans being a scapegoat for Game I loss),' Slater said.
'It's a case of the best person for the position. It is what it is. when you're in this position you've got to think about what's best for the team.'
The halfback's axing means the Maroons will need to appoint a new captain for Game 2, with Slater revealing that decision will be made tomorrow.
'We'll make everyone aware of who the captain is tomorrow (Tuesday when teams are named). We've got quite a few club captains, quite a few leaders within the group, I feel whenever you play for the Qld team you're a leader in your own right.'
Expected Queensland team for State of Origin II
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Xavier Coates
3. Robert Toia
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
6. Cameron Munster (C)
7. Tom Dearden
8. Mo Fotuaika
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
11. Reuben Cotter
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Trent Loiero
14. Kurt Mann
15. Lindsay Collins
16. Jeremiah Nanai
17. Pat Carrigan
18. Ezra Mam
19. Jack Howarth
20. Corey Horsburgh
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