Five Cowboys named in Maroons team for Game I
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Queensland Rugby League is pleased to announce the Queensland Maroons squad for Game I of the 2024 State of Origin series in Sydney on June 5.
The single debutant in the Maroons’ 17 is Hervey Bay Seagulls junior 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 Origin experience – Jaydn Su’A and Felise Kaufusi.
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 1 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
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.
Slater will address the media this morning for the first time since announcing the 20-man squad with the media conference to be livestreamed at QRL.com and the Queensland Maroons Facebook page.
Slater speaks after naming Game I squad
Queensland Maroons for Game I
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| 1. Reece Walsh | Brisbane Broncos |
| 2. Xavier Coates | Melbourne Storm |
| 3. Valentine Holmes | North Queensland Cowboys |
| 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | The Dolphins |
| 5. Murray Taulagi | North Queensland Cowboys |
| 6. Tom Dearden | North Queensland Cowboys |
| 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (C) | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles |
| 8. Reuben Cotter | North Queensland Cowboys |
| 9. Ben Hunt | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| 10. Lindsay Collins | Sydney Roosters |
| 11. Jaydn Su'A | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| 12. Jeremiah Nanai | North Queensland Cowboys |
| 13. Patrick Carrigan | Brisbane Broncos |
| 14. Harry Grant | Melbourne Storm |
| 15. Moeaki Fotuaika | Gold Coast Titans |
| 16. J'maine Hopgood | Parramatta Eels |
| 17. Selwyn Cobbo | Brisbane Broncos |
| 18. Felise Kaufusi | The Dolphins |
| 19. Brendan Piakura | Brisbane Broncos |
| 20. Ezra Mam | Brisbane Broncos |
