Fotuaika back for Maroons Game II campaign
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Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has today confirmed the Maroons’ line-up for Game II of the State of Origin series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Felise Kaufusi has played his way into the 17 after playing in Game I as 18th man, while Kurt Capewell has also earned selection for the June 26 match against the New South Wales Blues.
The clash will mark Kaufusi’s 16th appearance for the Maroons, while it will be Capewell’s 10th Origin game and his first since Game III of the 2022 series.
The pair add experience to the interchange bench, which has a new dynamic following the series opener that featured J’maine Hopgood and Selwyn Cobbo.
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 2 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
With Kaufusi elevated into the 17, the new 18th man is Dane Gagai, a proven performer at Origin level.
The extended squad also includes young forwards Heilum Luki (North Queensland Cowboys) and Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm), who will join Camp Maroon for the first time when the squad assembles in Brisbane today.
Slater will address the media this morning.
Media conference: Slater speaks after naming Game II squad
Queensland Maroons Game II squad
| Number | Name | 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. | Felise Kaufusi | The Dolphins |
| 17. | Kurt Capewell | New Zealand Warriors |
| 18. | Dane Gagai | Newcastle Knights |
| 19. | Heilum Luki | North Queensland Cowboys |
| 20. | Trent Loiero | Melbourne Storm |
