Rugby League Forever

Should Billy Slater axe Reece Walsh for Tom Dearden if available for the decider? 🤔

Peter Badel from the Courier Mail seems to think so.

"Revelations that Dearden’s return from ankle surgery could be delayed a week should not deter Slater from changing a winning team and recalling the Cowboys co-captain for Origin III on July 8," wrote Badel.

"Of course, Dearden has to ultimately be passed fit, but Cowboys hierarchy are confident the Maroons maestro will be cleared to face the Panthers....If that’s the case, that will give Dearden one game to prove his fitness for the Suncorp decider.

"That should be enough to convince Slater to shake-up his six-man bench for the second consecutive game and jettison Walsh in favour of Dearden.

"Sam Walker has to be locked in as Queensland’s starting No.7 on the back of two rousing performances, but Dearden — not ‘Reece Lightning' — has to be the Maroons’ Suncorp supersub."

Jesse Arthurs has signed with Catalans Dragons from 2027 on a 2-year deal 🐲🔥

Israel Folau's wife Marie has revealed that Benji Marshall and the Tigers were interested in his services but were ultimately blocked by Wayne Pearce and the ARLC 👀

“His reasoning behind not wanting Izzy to play is because of inclusiveness, whatever that means, and then also that it would be a bad look to have Izzy back in the game,” Maria Folau said via Instagram.

“Then an associate of ours got in contact with Wayne Pierce by text, and it was the same thing - that Izzy wasn’t welcome to play.

“We were told by Benji that he was still keen to have Izzy back on board and that he (was) gonna try and get a contract lodged, and that the (Tigers) board were meeting on Sunday to talk about the situation.

“So we’ve just got back from Tonga and we’ve been told that the Tigers are no longer going to lodge a contract because of the media pressure.

“There’d be a distraction for the club and then also pressure from elsewhere. It’s very unfortunate that the Tigers have changed their mind."

In a reply to his wife’s post, Israel Folau said: “The double standard from the NRL is crazy. The game talks about inclusion, yet my Christian beliefs were said to be a problem and didn’t align with their values."

Sam Walker and Nathan Cleary combined for the MOST GOALS kicked without a miss in Origin HISTORY 🎯🔥

🔸Game II 2026 - 12/12
Sam Walker - 8/8
Nathan Cleary - 4/4

🔸Game I 2021 - 10/10
Latrell Mitchell - 8/8
Val Holmes - 1/1
Nathan Cleary - 1/1

🔸Game II - 2022 - 10/10
Nathan Cleary - 8/8
Val Holmes - 2/2

Tino Fa’asumaleaui honoured the advice from his father on the last day of his life after helping Queensland to a comeback Game II victory ❤️

“It wasn’t hard because I knew my dad wanted me to do this and he sacrificed a lot for me growing up,” Tino said in the Maroons sheds.

“His last day on earth he told me, ‘son, whatever happens next, you make sure you represent Queensland and play hard’. That meant so much.

“While it was hard for him not watching me, I know he had the best seat in the house ... watching that game and he will be really proud.”

(via Joel Gould)

Sam Walker is the Game II Man of the Match 👏

Queensland get the 44-24 DOMINATION over NSW & TIE THE SERIES 🔥

The Maroons get their FIRST W at the MCG in 31 years 😱

We’re heading to Suncorp for the DECIDER 🍿

NSW Assistant coach Matt King has responded to Laurie Daley's comments around Ethan Strange playing back-row in Origin II 👀

“One of my great strengths is not reading too much media. I saw a headline today, I didn’t read the article, so is that the go? That Ethan is in the backrow?,’’ King said.

“He (Daley) wasn’t meant to say anything.

“There’s a whole bunch of different scenarios. Ethan is a footy player, I’m not sure where he’s going to end up to be honest.

“...If we’re doing a good job through the middle, potentially Addin (Fonua-Blake) comes into the middle to accelerate that. If we need points obviously Ethan is going to create that for us.

“We’ve gone through absolutely everything. We’re super clear."

Are NSW playing mind games or are they not on the same page? 🤔

Gorden Tallis has come out swinging in response to leaked criticism of Laurie Daley in the media 👀

Code Sports recently reported claims that Daley's pre-game addresses lacked "oomph" and that he was too passive during training.

"Just name the source. Never hide behind a source," said Tallis.

"...Whoever it is should never play again.

"That comes down to the player (to get fired up). I've played a long time in that arena. I had to be told to wait for the game.

"You should not need to be motivated to play for this state or anybody. We are so privileged to run out in any jersey in rugby league and if you need to be motivated to run out in any jersey in our game, go play another game.

“No coach ever had to tell me the game is at 7.30pm and you have to get ready to go into battle.”