Three axed as Billy Slater makes call on Reece Walsh and brings Origin hero out of retirement

Billy Slater has sensationally axed three players from his Queensland squad for State of Origin 3, naming Reece Walsh as 18th man and bringing Josh Papalii out of rep retirement. Mo Fotuaika, Corey Horsburgh and Ezra Mam have all been dumped from the 20-player squad that Slater named for Game 2, with Fotuaika axed from the playing 17.

Slater has made the staggering call to bring Canberra veteran Papalii out of rep retirement, after he called it quits on his Origin career back in 2023. Papalii will start in the front-row in place of the axed Fotuaika, who's been underwhelming in the series so far.

Josh Papalii (L) has answered Billy Slater's (R) call and will come out of rep retirement for State of Origin 3. Image: Getty

Papalii's selection is another snub for Raiders teammate Horbsurgh, who many believe should have been picked in the first two games. But he's not even in the 20-player squad for the series decider, with Slater naming Walsh, Josh Kerr and J'maine Hopgood as his reserves.

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Walsh has missed out on the starting fullback role, with Slater switching Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to No.1 to replace the injured Kalyn Ponga. Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki will make his Origin debut in a shuffled backline.

Walsh being named at 18th man means there's no spot for Broncos teammate and good friend Mam, who filled the role in Game 2. It's a curious selection from Slater considering Walsh still looks hampered by a knee injury, and Mam arguably covers more positions in the all-important 18th man role.

Ezra Mam has been replaced in the Queensland squad for State of Origin 3. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

But the selection of Papalii is the biggest bombshell, considering the 33-year-old hasn't played Origin footy since 2022. The veteran prop has been in sensational form for Canberra over the last few weeks, but Raiders teammate Horsburgh will no doubt be questioning what more he needs to do.

Speaking last week on SEN radio, Matty Johns said it would be a 'masterstroke' if Slater picks Papalii to beef up his forward pack. "I think it would be a fantastic move for Queensland," Johns said. "To come down to Sydney for a decider and to bring someone with the presence of 'Big Papa' and his leadership, I think it would be a masterstroke."

Josh Papalii hasn't played State of Origin since 2022. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Injured Maroons veteran Ben Hunt said on 4BC radio: “I would love to see big Paps out there. There was never a time when he pulled on the jumper that he let Queensland down and he is playing great footy at the moment. He is the ultimate warrior. He would bring some real aggression up front if we brought him back in.”

Queensland legend Corey Parker has no doubt Papalii will aim up for Slater. "I pencilled him in my team for Origin 2 but then I thought, well, he’s retired, so they won’t pick him,” Parker said on SEN.

“Absolutely he can do a job. He’s probably playing as good a footy now as he ever has. He just seems comfortable. He’d be fine playing Origin. He plays week in, week out at NRL level and I understand Origin is quicker, but he’s only looking to do 25 minutes at most.

“He’d bring a bit of intimidation. There’s no bulls*** with Papa and he would get stuck into the Blues. I’ve played against him and it’s never fun playing against Papa."

  1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

  2. Xavier Coates

  3. Robert Toia

  4. Gehamat Shibasaki

  5. Valentine Holmes

  6. Cameron Munster

  7. Tom Dearden

  8. Josh Papalii

  9. Harry Grant

  10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

  11. Reuben Cotter

  12. Kurt Capewell

  13. Trent Loiero

  14. Kurt Mann

  15. Lindsay Collins

  16. Jeremiah Nanai

  17. Pat Carrigan

18. Reece Walsh 19. J'maine Hopgood 20. Josh Kerr

This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sport Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/three-axed-as-billy-slater-makes-call-on-reece-walsh-and-brings-origin-hero-out-of-retirement-204650600.html

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