News 2026 queensland maroons team selection fullback kalyn ponga reece walsh hamiso tabuai fidow cameron munster comments 20260504 p5ztqy.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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'It's going to be a tough one': Maroons skipper makes bold Reece Walsh call as Origin selection looms

Lachlan Harper
Lachlan Harper

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Cameron Munster has given his tip on which way Billy Slater will go with Queensland's fullback conundrum as Origin I approaches.

Ahead of the first game of the series on May 27, Slater is mulling over a call between Kalyn Ponga, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Reece Walsh for his No.1 jersey.

Ponga was seriously impressive against the Rabbitohs in his return from injury for Newcastle on Sunday, while Walsh laid claim to the best fullback in the competition after leading the Broncos to a title last season. Dolphins star Tabuai-Fidow was the Origin winning fullback in game three last year.

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Kalyn Ponga reacts as his team fall 12 points behind the NSW Blues.

Kalyn Ponga. Getty

Munster believes Ponga's role will be specific while he wasn't willing to go out on a limb with the other two.

"Who have we got? Hammer (Tabuai-Fidow), Reece and Kalyn," the reigning Maroons captain said on Nine's 100% Footy.

"It's going to be a tough one. Hammer was there in game three and Reece had a great backend of the year so I'm sure one of them will be pretty handy in their position.

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"I think Kalyn probably steals that 14 position ... I think Kalyn can play every position, same with Hammer so I'm sure they'll both be in the 19. With the great rules these days you can have a bench and pretty much pick whoever you want in case someone gets injured. It's a great luxury to have."

It's a bold call to omit Walsh, at least from the fullback spot, given what the Broncos superstar did during last year's finals series, including against Munster's Storm in the NRL grand final.

But coaches can now carry six players on their bench, although can only use four of them during the game.

Munster was also full of praise for the North Queensland contingent fighting for a spot in Slater's squad, with Todd Payten's men currently sixth on the NRL ladder.

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Cameron Munster. Nine

However, he could only lock in two guarantees for his whole Queensland team.

"For us, you could name a handful of players, especially from the North Queensland Cowboys, I think they're showing everyone at the moment how to play this style of footy," he said.

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"Jake Clifford's been playing some outstanding footy and Tommy Dearden.

"(Sharks forward) Briton Nikora's now eligible for Queensland so he's going to be a handy back-rower for us but we're pretty star-studden with back rowers as well with Heilum Luki, (Kulikefu) Finefeuiaki at the Dolphins, he's playing career best footy.

"Who knows what the team will look like? But I can probably guarantee that Patty Carrigan and Harry Grant will probably be in there."

Slater will name his Queensland squad on Monday, May 18.

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