Maroons make late squad switch

Queensland have confirmed a late squad change ahead of Wednesday's Origin series opener, with Dragons playmaker Ben Hunt coming into the 19-man side.

Hunt will replace the injured Reed Mahoney, who sustained a shoulder injury during Parramatta's 40-4 victory over Newcastle on Sunday.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 24: Ben Hunt of the Maroons kicks during game two of the State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at ANZ Stadium on June 24, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

With Mahoney now set to miss a couple of weeks of the action, Hunt has been called upon by Maroons coach Paul Green as a reinforcement ahead of Origin I in Townsville.

The Dragons captain has played nine matches for the Maroons since making his debut in 2017, featuring in every series since.

It is understood that the veteran half will come into the squad and potentially find himself in the No.9 jumper in Mahoney's absence, while Storm star Harry Grant holds the utility role.

The Maroons are facing further injury concerns with Cameron Munster (foot), AJ Brimson (knee) and Dane Gagai (tonsillitis) all needing to prove their fitness ahead of Wednesday's game.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 05: Dane Gagai of the Maroons runs the ball during game one of the 2019 State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium on June 05, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

2 COMMENTS

June 7, 2021 At 11:17 am

1. Brimson
2. Holmes
3. Capewell
4. Gagai
5. Coates
6. Munster
7. DCE
8. Tino
9. Hunt
10. Welch
11. Kaufusi
12. Fifita
13. Arrow

14. Grant
15. Fotuaika
16. Su’a
17. Hess

If Brimson is out, move Holmes to fullback and Fedlt to the wing. Munster and Gagai will be fine.
June 10, 2021 At 8:00 am

After the thrashing last night it proves 1 thing, Green can’t coach and Gagai, Coats and Feldt should never be picked again, the forwards and bench were crap, the only forward that made good ground was Welch and when he went off we had nothing. Arrow and Tino are over rated and are back up quality only. This would have to be the worst QLD team ever and performed like the oldstate sides where we us to get flogged before the SOO concept started in 1980.