Billy Slater has shut down consulting Cameron Munster or other senior Maroons players, as he prepares to select a new-look team for the State of Origin opener.
Plans were thrown into chaos over the weekend when halfback Tom Dearden went down with an ankle injury, ruling him out for up to eight weeks.
Dearden's absence will open the door for a potential debutant in the No.7 jumper, but it could also see Slater and the selectors wind back the clock and bring former skipper Daly Cherry-Evans into the fold, less than a year after being axed.
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Sam Walker, Jake Clifford, Ezra Mam and Tanah Boyd are among the other options to replace Dearden, but most believe it's a two-horse race between the Roosters halves.
The expectation is Munster – who had been down on form prior to Melbourne's 44-16 win over the Tigers on Sunday – will remain in his five-eighth and captaincy role.
However, the coach denied he would ask for Munster's opinion regarding the halfback spot and said the responsibility remained firmly on his own shoulders.
"Sometimes you discuss things with your players, especially senior players and those who have been there for a long period of time – but I've never discussed selection with the players," he said on Nine's The Billy Slater Podcast.
"The players play and that's their job. When you're put in a position like I am, you hold a responsibility to make those decisions and not have other people make those decisions.
"That sits with myself, I consult with the selectors Darren Lockyer and Gene Miles and I talk to our coaching team. At the end of the day, when you've got the responsibility, you've got to make the decisions that you think are best for the footy team."
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The race to play halfback isn't the only big selection call for Slater and company to make either, with pressure on incumbents such as Valentine Holmes, Gehamat Shibasaki, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Trent Loiero, Kurt Mann and Lindsay Collins, while the likes of Jeremiah Nanai (injury) and Josh Papali'i (retired) are unavailable.
The Courier Mail has reported that a number of other names are in the mix to debut for the Maroons in game one and Slater is adamant he is across every player eligible and will be keeping an eye on how they perform under the bright lights of Magic Round.
"By now, you've got a fair idea of how everyone plays," he said.
"There's still a round of footy to go and you want all Queensland players playing well.
"I'm sure every Queensland player going up to Suncorp Stadium will want to play well, they are playing in their home state and they want to put their best foot forward.
"One thing I can guarantee you is I'm not just starting to look at players now, just because situations like this arise. I've been doing this for 10 weeks now, making sure that I know every Queenslander's habits and how they're going and what they bring.
"When situations like this arise, you're not trying to backtrack – you've got a good idea of where everyone sits and you can make a calculated decision. I'm fully aware of what all Queenslanders bring to their team and what they would bring to this team."
Among some potential fresh faces for Queensland in the series opener include in-form back-rowers Heilum Luki and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Titans speedster Jojo Fifita and young guns Jaxon Purdue and Cooper Bai, who have all bolted into selection discussions.
Bai would be an incredible selection, having only played U19s for the Maroons last year before bursting onto the scene with the Titans at the back-end of the season.
Sharks enforcer Briton Nikora is also a potential option, with the change in eligibility rules allowing the New Zealand-born edge forward to play Origin.
One name who is almost guaranteed a call-up is Dolphins utility Max Plath, who would be a perfect No.14 and can cover a variety of roles off the bench.
Along with some new faces, Slater could also go back to players who have represented Queensland in the past but didn't feature in the 2025 campaign such as Francis Molo, Tom Gilbert, Corey Horsburgh, AJ Brimson, Dane Gagai and Murray Taulagi.
Slater's squad will be named after the conclusion of Magic Round on Sunday night.
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