To back a Queensland State of Origin champion or nudge him out of the side in favour of a young superstar — it’s one dilemma facing Maroons selectors three weeks out from game one.
When the possible selection shootout between Origin veteran Dane Gagai and 21-year-old speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was raised with Darren Lockyer on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER this week, the Maroons selector explained how the forced exit of a great should be managed.
“It’s always a balancing act,” Lockyer said.
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“You’ve got players that are at the back end of their career, they’ve done a hell of a lot for the team and I guess it’s just a judgment call from not just the selectors, but the coach is probably the primary person to make that judgment call.
“Can they still perform and do their job at that level? That’s the question you’ve got to ask.
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“Sometimes it’s not about picking the team and potentially leaving someone out; you have a conversation with them before that even happens.”
If Tabuai-Fidow was to be recalled for his first Origin appearance since game three of the 2021 series, he would almost certainly be picked as a centre or winger.
That’s because Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh are in a tussle for Queensland’s No.1 jumper, which Lockyer shed light on when he indicated on QLDER recently that Ponga’s switch to five-eighth with the Knights had put his selection in jeopardy.
And if Tabuai-Fidow was to be thrown back into the Origin furnace, it would almost certainly come at the expense of Valentine Holmes, Selwyn Cobbo, Xavier Coates, Corey Oates, Murray Taulagi or Gagai.
Queensland’s famed “pick and stick” mentality and loyalty to ageing warriors, including Petero Civoneceva and Nate Myles in bygone years, would cop a dent if Gagai, 32, was to be pushed into retirement.
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Not only has he featured in every Origin match since making his Queensland debut in game three of the 2015 series, the Maroons have won five of the eight series he’s been involved in.
He’s also the third-greatest try-scorer in Origin history — only Greg Inglis and Darius Boyd have crossed for more four-pointers — and a Wally Lewis Medallist, having been deemed player of the series in 2017.
Tabuai-Fidow has been exceptional for the Dolphins this year, chalking up 10 tries from 10 games in the No.1 jumper. He’s been crucial to the shock start to the season by the expansion outfit, which is placed fifth on the ladder ahead of round 11 in its inaugural NRL campaign.
Gagai has had a quieter output for the Knights, who are sitting in 12th.
The opening game of this year’s Origin series will be played at Adelaide Oval on May 31.
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