Cherry-Evans is set to become the first Maroons captain axed mid-series this century.
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 The Courier Mail. 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.
Backlash as Ezra Mam included in extended QLD squad
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.
Maroons axe captain Daly Cherry-Evans for Origin Game 2
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.
Likely Maroons team for Game 2
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
Likely Blues team for Game 2
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.
