LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Queensland coach Billy Slater has appointed three debutants for the State of Origin opener following a tumultuous weekend marked by injuries.
The Maroons aim to reclaim the shield after last year's 2-1 defeat.
Among the new faces is Roosters rookie Robert Toia, who, at 20, has been selected after just 10 NRL appearances this season.
Slater emphasized the need for adaptability, stating, "Things change all the time and we had some things happen last night that were out of the control." Toia will start at right centre, while Beau Fermor and Trent Loiero will join him on the bench for their Queensland debut.
Slater noted the importance of timing in team selection based on health reports: "You wait until that selection time, you get all those health reports and you pick Queensland's best team, and that's what we've felt we've done." He expressed confidence in Toia's potential, saying, "I've been watching him closely - not just the stuff he's been doing with the football - but he's got good principles in his game."