Ben Hunt named as STARTING HOOKER in major Queensland Maroons selection shock

Bily’s Slater’s first State of Origin squad as head coach has been announced with several shocks and a host of in-form Cowboys making the cut.

The Maroons have released a 22-man squad for the June 8 opener at Accor Stadium in Sydney with rising Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo named to make his state debut.

Perhaps the biggest shock, though, was the announcement of Ben Hunt as starting hooker with Melbourne Storm star Harry Grant to play as the bench utility.

The North Queensland Cowboys have been rewarded for their early season form that has propelled them to the NRL top four, with Valentine Holmes holding his place at centre and Rueben Cotter named as starting lock.

Rampaging teenage second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has been named on the bench while Hamiso Tabua-Fidow, Murray Taulagi and Tom Dearden have been named in an extended squad.

Impressive Broncos forward Patrick Carrigan has also been named to make his debut. 

Two of the biggest omissions were Gold Coast Titans $1.2 million star David Fifita and teammate AJ Brimson while North Queensland winger Kyle Feldt (knee injury) was unavailable. 

Game 1 Maroons squad:

1. Kalyn Ponga

2. Selwyn Cobbo

3. Valentine Holmes

4. Dane Gagai

5. Xavier Coates

6. Cameron Munster

7. Daly Cherry-Evans

8. Tino Fa’asumaleaui

8. Ben Hunt

10. Josh Papalii

11. Kurt Capewell

12. Felise Kaufusi

13. Rueben Cotter

Bench

14. Harry Grant

15. Lindsay Collins

 16. Patrick Carrigan

17. Jeremiah Nanai

Reserves

18. Tom Dearden

19. Jai Arrow

20. Thomas Flegler

 21. Hamiso Tabua-Fidow

22. Murray Taulagi