Nanai Returns to Queensland State of Origin Squad for Game 2
Last updated: Jun 14, 2023, 4:07AM | Published: Jun 13, 2023, 2:34AM
Queensland sensation Jeremiah Nanai is among a handful of changes in coach Billy Slater's 19-man squad named for Game 2 of the 2023 State of Origin series.
After missing Queensland's 26-18 victory in Origin 1 in Adelaide due to suspension, Nanai returns to the side in the second row as a replacement for Tom Gilbert, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the series opener.
The inclusion of Nanai will impact State of Origin 2023 Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium on June 21, with the 20-year-old being one of the breakout stars of the 2022 State of Origin series.
Despite the Cowboys forward having played just once since Round 9 – returning for North Queensland's win against the Storm in Round 14 – Slater is confident Nanai will be ready to go for Origin.
"Firstly, he played all three games last year, Jeremiah, and was outstanding," Slater said.
"He had a great year last year, and I think the thing that gave me confidence in Jeremiah coming back into the team is, he did come back from suspension, and I felt that was probably the most energy he’s had in his footy all year.
"It looked like the Jeremiah of last year, and he’s obviously worked really hard through that period that he was off, and he’s another guy that’s earned this opportunity."
Slater said Nanai has the ability to swing the opinion of anyone who's unsure of their State of Origin tips heading into Game 2, with Stats Insider's State of Origin Game 2 prediction favouring the home state.
"He's a Queenslander, and he’s done the job before, and he played really well on the weekend."
Along with Gilbert, Jai Arrow (ankle) and Selwyn Cobbo (hip pointer) are also out, with Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika and Storm winger Xavier Coates called into the side.
Fotuaika is joined in the squad by Titans teammate AJ Brimson, who will feature as 18th man, with Tom Dearden returning to club commitments with the Cowboys, while Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh joins the side as 19th man.
State of Origin Game 2 is on Wednesday, June 21 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. QLD vs NSW Game 1 was played on May 31.
Queensland Maroons Squad State of Origin Game 2
- Reece Walsh (Broncos)
- Xavier Coates (Storm)
- Valentine Holmes (Cowboys)
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
- Murray Taulagi (Cowboys)
- Cameron Munster (Storm)
- Daly Cherry-Evans, (Captain) (Sea Eagles)
- Lindsay Collins (Roosters)
- Ben Hunt (Dragons)
- Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)
- David Fifita (Titans)
- Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys)
- Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
- Harry Grant (Storm)
- Thomas Flegler (Broncos)
- Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
- Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans)
- AJ Brimson (Titans)
- Corey Horsburgh (Raiders)
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
