QLD icon’s stunning superstar snub; coaching deal done after explosive split — Origin Daily

Origin great Cameron Smith has made a massive call on Brisbane Broncos fullback Reece Walsh, leaving him out of his predicted Maroons squad for the series-opener.

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Not only did Smith opt to pick Knights star Kalyn Ponga as his fullback, but he also didn’t find room for Walsh on the six-man bench.

“The contentious positions were halfback and fullback and I’ve gone for KP,” Smith said on 100% Footy.

“The form that KP’s shown in the past fortnight since coming back from that hamstring injury, I think he’s gotta be there.”

Responding to Smith’s decision to omit the Broncos' fullback, former NSW Blues coach and Bulldogs GM of Football Phil Gould was stunned.

“When the grand final was over last year, I couldn’t imagine a time where anyone would say Reece Walsh wouldn’t be the fullback,” Gould added.

“He produced single-handedly the greatest individual performance I’ve ever seen in a grand final last year and you know he’s got that big-match presence.

“The other bloke [Ponga] is a superstar too. They’ve got an embarrassment of riches.”

Cameron Smith’s QLD Team for Game One

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Robert Toia 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Cameron Munster 7. Sam Walker 8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 9. Harry Grant 10. Patrick Carrigan 11. Reuben Cotter 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Trent Loiero 14. Kurt Mann 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Tom Flegler 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 18. Briton Nikora 19. Max Plath

QLD UNVEILS NEW ASSISTANT COACH

Queensland Rugby League (QRL) have confirmed that Ben Te’o has been appointed as the new assistant coach of the QLD Maroons and will join camp next week in the lead-up to the series-opener.

More than a decade after playing together, Te’o will reunite with Maroons coach Billy Slater and work under him, having previously coached the state’s Under-19s side in 2024.

“Anytime you come into a Queensland set up, it’s what can you do for the team,” Te’o said in a statement.

“Being involved in the Hostplus Cup was a great opportunity for me to further my coaching, I started off with the Redcliffe Colts in the under 21s when I retired.

“Moving into that senior level … and coaching a lot of players that I had already played with, was a challenge too.

“(Being just) one step away from the NRL, I really took pride in transitioning players from the juniors up through to the Hostplus Cup, and some of them have gone onto the NRL now.

“It was a really big part of my journey as a coach and something I am so grateful to have done.”

Previously appearing in seven Origin matches for Queensland between 2012 14, Te’o is known as a defensive specialist coach and has been endorsed by several of the game’s head coaches, including Titans coach and former QLD assistant Josh Hannay.

The opportunity to become a Queensland assistant was one of the factors involved when Te’o made an explosive exit as a Brisbane Broncos assistant coach during March.

“Ben is a proud Queenslander,” Queensland coach Billy Slater added.

“He’s lived it as a player and he has a true passion to coach. I’m really excited to have him involved.”

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