Fotuaika in, Fifita to miss Game I as Maroons confirm squad

The Titans will only have one Queensland representative for Game I after David Fifita was sensationally overlooked by Billy Slater ahead of the Origin opener on Wednesday week.

Despite an inspirational performance by the barnstorming back-rower that included a mammoth 235 metres across 20 runs, six tackle breaks and two try assists to compliment a solid two months of footy since returning from a pec injury, the performance wasn't enough to convince the Queensland coach of being part of his maiden 2024 squad.

Moeaki Fotuaika has retained his Maroons jersey and has been named on the bench; meanwhile fellow incumbents AJ Brimson and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui are unavailable due to injury.

The single debutant in the Maroons’ 17 is J’maine Hopgood, who has earned his first Origin cap after displaying strong form for the Parramatta Eels over several seasons.

Hopgood was part of the Maroons’ group last year and has featured in several Queensland under age representative teams.

The Game I extended squad for this year’s series opener includes Origin newcomers Brendan Piakura and Ezra Mam, who get their first taste of Camp Maroon following their consistent efforts with the Brisbane Broncos.

Consistency has also paved the way for the return of two players with State of Origin experience – Jaydn Su’A and Felise Kaufusi.

Su’A has earned his first Origin jersey under Slater, having played the most recent of his four games for the Maroons in Game I of the 2021 series.

Kaufusi, a mainstay of the Queensland forward pack between 2018 and 2022, has been named 18th man.

The squad enters camp on Monday, ahead of Game I at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday, June 5.

Queensland Maroons for Game I