The State of Origin series has historically been shaped by bold decisions at the selection table, with strategic moves often resulting in unexpected victories. Key examples include Paul Vautin’s surprising 1995 team lineup, Wayne Bennett’s underdog squad in 2020, and Michael Maguire’s choice to drop captain James Tedesco, leading to a comeback win for Queensland. Recently, Billy Slater’s decision to make significant changes paid off, equalising the series and leading to a decisive final match in Sydney on July 9.
Slater faced scrutiny for his lineup, particularly the captaincy of Cameron Munster, who had little leadership experience and a reputation for being a party-goer. However, Munster embraced the role, demonstrating an impressive transformation and vocal support for his coach after a challenging 24 hours leading up to the match. Andrew Johns praised the decision, calling it a “masterstroke” and reaffirming Munster’s natural leadership qualities.
Strategically, Queensland adjusted their tactics, notably switching Xavier Coates to tackle Zac Lomax, a key Blues player. This move effectively contained Lomax’s impact, allowing the Maroons to dominate the match, despite Brian To’o’s success on the left wing.
Harry Grant’s selection as starting hooker also raised eyebrows, yet Slater defended his capabilities, highlighting Grant’s skills despite a lack of past success as a starter. Grant rebounded well, contributing greatly to the team’s improvement.
Kurt Capewell’s return to the squad was another surprising yet successful move, as he performed admirably alongside debutant Kurt Mann, who made an immediate impact. Slater highlighted their synergy and commitment in enhancing the team’s performance. Meanwhile, the decision to bench forwards Patrick Carrigan and Jeremiah Nanai, in favour of Loiero and Capewell, sparked debate among commentators, but yielded positive results.
The night also marked Tom Dearden’s promotion to starting halfback, following the departure of long-time captain Daly Cherry-Evans. Dearden’s strong performance, including a try assist and solid tackling, signalled a new era for Queensland.
Overall, the strategic gambles paid off for Queensland, leading to a renewed sense of optimism ahead of the series finale. Slater’s bold roster changes and the emergence of younger players demonstrate a shift in leadership and capability within the squad, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the series.