June 12, 2017
Former Murgon Mustang Gavin Cooper has been recalled into the Maroons squad in the wake of the team’s demolition by the Blues in Origin I.
Coach Kevin Walters has put an axe through the Queensland team that lost 28-4 on May 31, making seven changes to the side.
He has recalled Cooper, who made his Origin debut last year, as well as veteran fullback Billy Slater.
Also returning is Cooper’s Cowboys’ teammate Johnathan Thurston, who has been out with injury.
Walters has dropped Corey Oates, Justin O’Neill, Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Aidan Guerra and Jacob Lillyman.
Anthony Milford is out with a shoulder injury.
Four players will be making their debut for Queensland: Tim Glasby, Coen Hess, Valentine Holmes and Jarrod Wallace.
Game 2 will be played on June 21 in Sydney.
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Queensland Team (in alphabetical order):
Darius Boyd
Will Chambers
Gavin Cooper
Cooper Cronk
Dane Gagai
Matt Gillett
Tim Glasby
Coen Hess
Valentine Holmes
Josh McGuire
Michael Morgan
Dylan Napa
Josh Papalii
Billy Slater
Cameron Smith
Johnathan Thurston
Jarrod Wallace
