Maroons State of Origin squad set to include three debutants as Queensland counts the cost of injury
The 20-year-old centre joins Gold Coast second-rower Beau Fermor and Melbourne lock Trent Loiero as debutants in the Maroons side to play in the Origin series opener on May 28 at Lang Park.
After losing last year's series 2-1, coach Billy Slater has put his faith in new blood.
A pectoral injury to Dolphins forward Tom Gilbert and a calf issue for North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi opened the door to offer new candidates an opportunity.
On the cusp of the side being named, Brisbane outside back Selwyn Cobbo also suffered a possible wrist fracture in the 30-26 loss to St George Illawarra.
Toia overcame two ACL ruptures to finally make his NRL debut this year and in 10 matches, he showcased rare talents.
He has an unflustered temperament along with power, speed and skill. That was best highlighted in a 36-26 win over the Dolphins at Magic Round, where he scored two tries, had a try assist and created carnage.
"I would love to play Origin," former Queensland under-19 representative Toia said after round 11.
"I just remember watching GI [Inglis] and how dominant he was. It didn't matter who was in front of him, he was just able to create havoc."
Fermor, 25, has also suffered two ACL tears. The latest wiped him out of the 2023 season after he had been invited into the Maroons camp in 2022.
This year, he has found his groove as a superb edge forward who runs great lines and defends strongly.
Loiero is well-known for being a feisty forward who plays with physicality and work ethic, highlighted by his average of 117m and 32 tackles per game in 2025.
The Maroons have made other selection decisions forced partly by injury. Incumbent fullback Reece Walsh (knee) and utility Ben Hunt (hamstring) are both unavailable.
Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga, who came off the bench in game three last year, returns to the starting custodian's role for the first time since the 2022 decider, when he was man of the match.
Maroons champion Cameron Munster is back in the number 6 jersey after missing last year's series with injury. That pushes Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden from five-eighth to the number 14 jersey previously worn by Hunt with distinction.
Titans captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui also returns to the Maroons side at prop after missing last year with an ACL tear.
LIKELY QUEENSLAND SIDE: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Xavier Coates, 3 Robert Toia, 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5 Valentine Holmes, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8 Moeaki Fotuaika, 9 Harry Grant, 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 11 Reuben Cotter, 12 Jeremiah Nanai, 13 Pat Carrigan, 14 Tom Dearden, 15 Lindsay Collins, 16 Beau Fermor, 17 Trent Loiero, 18 Kurt Mann, 19 Jesse Arthars, 20 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
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Sydney Morning Herald
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