Injury reveal as Billy Slater forced into last-minute switch for Origin decider
With Kalyn Ponga likely out for the remainder of the season, Slater shifted Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow from wing to fullback. The majority of the NRL world expected Slater to pick Taulagi on the wing to replace Tabuai-Fidow, but he went with Shibasaki at centre instead.
By picking the Broncos player, Slater was forced to move Valentine Holmes back to the wing, even though he struggled there in Game 1 and has been much better at centre. The Cowboys then named Taulagi to play in Round 18 against the Melbourne Storm, before he was a late withdrawal with a minor knee injury.
Speaking before the Storm game, Payten revealed that Taulagi wasn't available to be picked in Slater's Queensland team for Origin 3, and he was only named to take on the Storm in the hope he could prove his fitness. "That was part of the reason why he wasn't named in the Origin squad," Payten explained. "We tried to get some running done on Thursday, and he was no good."
Whether or not Slater would have picked Taulagi over Shibasaki remains to be seen, but conventional wisdom suggests he would have. Taulagi has played six Origin games for the Maroons since 2022, and always aims up in the rep arena.
Having Taulagi on the wing would have allowed Slater to keep Holmes in the centres, but he eventually had to make three changes to his back-line rather than two. However there's no doubt Shibasaki deserves his spot in the Origin decider, and has been one of the best centres in the NRL in 2025.
Todd Payten has revealed Murray Taulagi was not available for the Maroons Origin selection due to injury. "That was part of the reason why he wasn't named in the Origin squad... We tried to get somerunning done on Thursday, and he was no good," he said.(Courier Mail ) https://t.co/3Cjn2001mF
— NRLCentral (@centralNRL) July 4, 2025
The 27-year-old journeyman has gone from zero to hero at Brisbane this year after not even having an NRL deal in the pre-season. But after scoring 12 tries in 15 matches for the Broncos in 2025, Shibasaki will make State of Origin history as the first player on a development-list contract to play Origin football.
"I didn't have Billy's number saved so I answered it. It was a wholesome conversation and one I dreamed of as a kid," he said about getting the call from Slater. "I am trying to soak it all in and focus on each day. My family is so happy and there's been a lot of happy tears.
"I will take this experience and fingers crossed it's a continuing thing playing for Queensland. I am ready. I am prepared for this. Madge (Broncos coach Michael Maguire) said to me that if you prepare well, you will be ready and I will be prepared for this. I've done the hard work."
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NSW centre Stephen Crichton has downplayed the notion that the Blues will target Shibasaki when the Maroons centre makes his Origin debut with the series on the line. 'He's such a good player," Crichton said. "I feel like he's been playing his best footy the past couple of weeks leading into his Origin selection. There is going to be a lot of talk around it, but I feel like the Origin arena brings out the best in everyone regardless of whether you haven't played a game because you're always going to turn up and play your best.'
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