Phil Gould has, metaphorically, wrapped a Blues scarf around his neck and admitted who he’s most fearful of as the Maroons weigh up their replacements for injured duo Tom Gilbert and Jai Arrow.
Queensland coach Billy Slater is tasked with filling a void in his forward pack after Gilbert and Arrow were ruled out of State of Origin II with shoulder and ankle injuries respectively.
The Maroons will be forced to pull a third forward into the team if Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is suspended after the move that left Apisai Koroisau with a broken jaw on Thursday night.
READ MORE: Aussies tear through India in historic collapse
READ MORE: Freddy rips Maroons star’s call after Koroisau hit
READ MORE: Queensland star points finger at media over ball-carrying style
On this week’s edition of Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus podcast, host Mat Thompson fired five potential candidates Gould’s way: Brisbane’s Capewell, North Queensland’s Nanai, the Dolphins’ Felise Kaufusi, Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh and Parramatta’s J’maine Hopgood.
“Capewell: good player, leader,” Gould replied.
“Nanai: brilliant young player, played Origin last year. He’s just back from injury.
“Kaufusi: wonderful experience.
Watch the 2023 State of Origin series LIVE and exclusive on Channel 9 and 9Now
“Horsburgh: tough, unrelenting. He could give you some penalties, though.
“And Hopgood? Not quite ready for that level.
“Capewell and Nanai, I think, are the best of those.”
Capewell and Nanai were Queensland’s second-rowers for the 2022 decider, in which the Maroons trumped the Blues 22-12 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Capewell was axed for game one of this year’s series despite scoring a try in the decider, pouncing on a Harry Grant grubber on the stroke of half-time.
Nanai was ineligible for game one after being slapped with a three-match ban for a hip-drop tackle on Cronulla’s Braden Hamlin-Uele.
Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now
But given Nanai has seen out his ban, the 20-year-old’s selection is likely; he’s so talented that on the Six Tackles with Gus podcast last year, Gould declared he could become the greatest forward in history.
The Maroons will retain the Origin shield if they beat the Blues at Suncorp Stadium on June 21.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
