Tanah Boyd and Ponga in selection shake-up for Queensland

tanah boyd is at the center of Queensland’s reported halves shake-up, with Billy Slater weighing Kalyn Ponga at seven after Tom Dearden’s injury. The move would break from the usual pick-and-stick approach this series and could redraw the Maroons’ playmaking setup.

Billy Slater and Kalyn Ponga

Slater is reportedly moving away from the usual selection line this series, and Ponga has emerged as the name linked to the seven jersey. If that switch happens, he would replace Dearden in the role and take on the halfback duties Queensland have built around in the past.

That is the clearest change in the squad picture. The Maroons are not just adjusting one position; they are considering a reshuffle that changes both the halves and the fullback conversation at the same time.

Darryl Brohman on seven

Darryl Brohman did not hide his view on the move. He said, “He’s better suited out wide…I don’t like him at seven” on The Continuous Call Team, drawing a clear line against Ponga shifting infield to halfback.

The criticism lands alongside the injury to Dearden, which is the opening for the switch in the first place. Queensland now has to decide whether to keep Ponga in a wider role or push him into the position that carries the game-management load.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Reece Walsh

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has added another layer to the selection picture. He has been in electric form for the Dolphins this season, and other reports suggest he will secure the fullback role over Reece Walsh.

That would leave Queensland weighing two major calls at once: Ponga at seven and Tabuai-Fidow at fullback. For the Maroons, the reported changes point to a backline and halves structure that could look very different before the series takes shape.