By Jon Healy

Topic: State of Origin

The teams were announced on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 7:08 am

Reece Walsh missed selection for Queensland

New South Wales and Queensland have announced their teams for State of Origin I, with some surprises

Reece Walsh was not selected for Queensland, despite his good form

Walsh was not even named as 18th man, with Ezra Mam preferred

Check out the full teams for Origin I

Kalyn Ponga will play at fullback for Queensland, with Broncos players Ezra Mam and Gehamat Shibasaki on the extended bench

Coach Billy Slater explained why he chose Kalyn Ponga over Reece Walsh

Coach Billy Slater handed Reece Walsh his Origin debut in 2023

Slater said he knows what Reece Walsh is capable of, and Walsh knows what he is capable of

Slater has a great relationship with Reece Walsh and has a lot of time for him

Walsh plays good football, and Slater is happy with his progress

There are five players who could make their Queensland debut, including Ezra Mam

Sam Walker will replace Tom Dearden at halfback for Queensland, and Jojo Fifita will play on the wing

Max Plath will debut at lock, and Briton Nikora will play on the bench

Victor Radley will make his debut for New South Wales off the bench

James Tedesco will return to the fullback position for New South Wales

Laurie Daley named a squad with seven potential debutants

Daley accidentally announced the name of former player Casey McGuire instead of Casey McLean

Casey McLean was named on the extended bench, along with Ethan Strange, Blayke Brailey, and Victor Radley

Tolu Koula will make his debut on the wing for New South Wales

Addin Fonua-Blake will play his first game for New South Wales

Laurie Daley confirmed that Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary will pair up in the halves

Daley said both Moses and Cleary are halfbacks and will share the workload

State of Origin I teams were announced

The teams are: Queensland - 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Selwyn Cobbo, 3. Robert Toia, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Jojo Fifita, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Tom Flegler, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 11. Reuben Cotter, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Max Plath, 14. Briton Nikora, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Pat Carrigan, 17. Trent Loiero, 18. Ezra Mam, 19. Gehamat Shibasaki, 20. Kulikefu Finefuiaki

New South Wales - 1. James Tedesco, 2. Brian To'o, 3. Stephen Crichton, 4. Kotoni Staggs, 5. Tolu Koula, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Mitch Barnett, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Haumole Olakau'atu, 13. Isaah Yeo, 14. Cameron Murray, 15. Victor Radley, 16. Jacob Saifiti, 17. Blayke Brailey, 18. Ethan Strange, 19. Casey McLean, 20. Dylan Lucas