Walsh overlooked, Cobbo back for Maroons, Blues rocked by Mitchell's late call: Men's State of Origin game one squads named

Jarred Cross Published May 18, 2026 at 10.00am (AWST)

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A sweep of changes have been made by both coaches ahead of game one in Sydney next Wednesday night. (Pictured, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for Queensland). Image: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

State of Origin sides have been named with both the Blues and Maroons making a sweep of changes from last year's decider ahead of game one in Sydney next week.

NSW coach Laurie Daley has brought Kotoni Staggs for his second taste of Origin since his sole start in 2022 after Latrell Mitchell ruled himself out with injury on Sunday night, within seven changes, axings and a host of debutants named after letting last year's series slip away.

Billy Slater has similarly made major decisions about how Queensland will line up next Wednesday night, with a strong list of First Nations stars featuring in his squad.

Reece Walsh has again been overlooked for the no.1 jumper as the Maroons select a new-look spine, with Selwyn Cobbo returning, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Reuben Cotter, Ezra Mam and Gehamit Shibasaki all retaining their spot in the 20-man squad.

Daley was dealt a huge blow when Mitchell himself called to put a line through his availability.

Mitchell was unable to finish South Sydney's 32-10 loss to the Dolphins at Magic Round on Friday night having missed the previous week with a back injury.

His Origin-period injury misfortune of recent seasons' continue, with Daley also not able to call upon Newcastle centre Bradman Best, who has more than proven himself at Origin level across two appearances in 2023-24, after he suffered a calf injury against the Titans at Suncorp Stadium.

Despite injury concerns of his own, Staggs comes in for his game in the Blues jumper since debuting four years ago.

*Staggs returns after a sole appearance for the Blues in 2022. Image: Dan Himbrechts/AAP*

The Wiradjuri man's recent absence from the Broncos' backline didn't sound the alarm for Daley.

"The Broncos have always been confident the rest was going to do Kotoni good. While they would have preferred him to play, he's been carrying a little bit of an injury," the Blues coach and Indigenous Team of the Century five-eighth told reporters on Monday morning.

"So it's just given him time to heal, so he'll be fresh. And that excites me too, because Kotoni over the last 18 months he's in a grand final, played for Australia, and he's a competitor.

"Coming into this team he's in better form than what he's ever been in, so he comes in with great confidence."

Regular utility pick and Gamilaroi man Connor Watson has been overlooked.

James Tedesco has re-earned his spot at NSW fullback with Mitch Moses getting the nod ahead of Jarome Luai for the no.6 jumper.

After missing game three with injury, Kalyn Ponga slots back into fullback for the shield holders.

Sam Walker will take an injured Tom Dearden's position at halfback for a Queensland debut, with Jojo Fifita (centre), Max Plath (lock) and Briton Nikora (interchange) all set for their first Origin games.

After announcing himself to the arena in game three last year, Gehamat Shibasaki has been named in the no.19 jumper with Ezra Mam again in Slater's extended squad.

*Reece Walsh has been overlooked entirely by Queensland coach Billy Slater ahead of next weeks series opener. Image: Dan Himbrechts/AAP*

Torres Strait duo Tabuai-Fidow and Cotter have been named at familiar positions in centre and second row, respectively.

Cobbo comes back into the Maroons team for the first time since 2024.

Slater said Cobbo "won't let anyone down" in his return.

"I can just imagine the schoolyard at Cherbourg at the moment, talking about one of their own playing for Queensland again," the Queensland coach told reporters on Monday morning.

"I think Selwyn's had a really good preseason...I think he's playing some good football, he brings a strong carry out of the backfield, he's nice and confident...he's really earned this opportunity."

"He's played for Queensland before, he knows what it's all about, and he won't let anyone down."

Queensland came from one-nil down to lift the shield in 2025 after the Blues started their series with a win on enemy soil in Brisbane.

NSW went close, but couldn't stage a major comeback claim the series in Perth, Queensland holding on to win 26-24 before another strong first half set up at 24-12 win in the decider at Accor Stadium in Sydney.

The Blues host the Maroons in Homebush next Wednesday, May 27 to kick off this year's series.

Men's State of Origin game one squads

New South Wales

Coach: Laurie Daley

1. James Tedesco

2. Brian To'o

3. Stephen Crichton

4. Kotoni Staggs

5. Tolutau Koula

6. Mitchell Moses

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Addin Fonua-Blake