Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has today confirmed Moeaki Fotuaika will retain his spot in the Maroons Game III squad with both David Fifita and Beau Fermor overlooked despite strong cases for a call-up for the decider.
Dane Gagai and Kalyn Ponga will make their first appearances in this year’s series, adding experience to the Queensland line-up for the July 17 match.
Gagai, who was 18th man in Game II, will start at centre in his first game for the Maroons since the 2022 series decider that also featured Ponga.
Ponga has been named on the interchange bench after making his return from injury with Newcastle Knights on Sunday.
Selwyn Cobbo and Valentine Holmes are the new wingers for the Maroons after Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi were not considered for selection due to injury.
Trent Loiero is 18th man, while Brendan Piakura and Reed Mahoney are also part of the extended squad.
Game III will mark Ben Hunt’s 20th match for Queensland, earning him the prestigious FOGS Dick 'Tosser' Turner Medal.
Queensland Maroons Game III squad
| Number | Name | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Reece Walsh | Brisbane Broncos |
| 2. | Selwyn Cobbo | Brisbane Broncos |
| 3. | Dane Gagai | Newcastle Knights |
| 4. | Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | The Dolphins |
| 5. | Valentine Holmes | North Queensland Cowboys |
| 6. | Tom Dearden | North Queensland Cowboys |
| 7. | Daly Cherry-Evans | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| 8. | Reuben Cotter | North Queensland Cowboys |
| 9. | Ben Hunt | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| 10. | Lindsay Collins | Sydney Roosters |
| 11. | Kurt Capewell | New Zealand Warriors |
| 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. | Kalyn Ponga | Newcastle Knights |
| 18. | Trent Loiero | Melbourne Storm |
| 19. | Brendan Piakura | Brisbane Broncos |
| 20. | Reed Mahoney | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
