Queensland have named Kalyn Ponga among 15 players for this year’s State of Origin series despite doubts over the Newcastle fullback’s availability.
Ponga has been struggling with a labral tear in his left shoulder and will visit a surgeon on Thursday to determine whether he needs immediate surgery.
Despite that looming decision, Ponga was among the initial group named by Queensland selectors on Wednesday from the players whose NRL campaigns have come to an end.
Gold Coast’s much-improved 2020 season has been rewarded with four Titans named among the 15 – Jai Arrow, AJ Brimson, Moeaki Fotuaika and Phillip Sami.
Brimson, who enjoyed a stellar back half to the year following his recovery from a fractured back, looms as the favourite for the No.1 jersey if Ponga is ruled out.
Newly appointed Maroons coach Wayne Bennett has also chosen Valentine Holmes despite the North Queensland star being unavailable for the November 4 series-opener in Adelaide due to suspension.
Young hooker Harry Grant has earned selection after his impressive season on loan at Wests Tigers from parent club Melbourne.
And there has been a first Origin call-up for Brisbane lock Pat Carrigan, who has been deemed an Origin-ready player by Broncos teammate and NSW prop Payne Haas.
“He does deserve it. It’s been a crazy year, especially what’s been going on, he’s been one of the standouts,” Haas said.
“If you guys see the way he plays every week it’s all out. He gives it his all and I reckon he’s ready for Origin. He’s Origin-made.”
Carrigan, Brimson, Fotuaika, Sami and Grant are among nine players selected who are yet to play Origin.
The other players called up are incumbent Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans, St George Illawarra pair Ben Hunt and Josh Kerr, Cowboy Coen Hess, Knights’ pair Edrick Lee and Hymel Hunt and Broncos flyer Xavier Coates.
Bennett has opted to overlook Brisbane trio Anthony Milford, Corey Oates and Joe Ofahengaue after the Broncos’ dismal 2020 season, while veteran backrower Josh McGuire is another high-profile omission.
The Maroons’ final 27-player squad will be confirmed after the October 25 NRL grand final, the same day Queensland will enter camp for this year’s Origin campaign.
There has also been a change to the Maroons coaching lineup, with former Cowboys and Titans coach Neil Henry returning to the Queensland setup as an assistant in place of Justin Hodges.
QUEENSLAND SQUAD: Jai Arrow, AJ Brimson, Moeaki Fotuaika, Phillip Sami, Edrick Lee, Hymel Hunt, Kalyn Ponga, Valentine Holmes, Coen Hess, Xavier Coates, Patrick Carrigan, Ben Hunt, Josh Kerr, Harry Grant, Daly Cherry-Evans.