Queensland legend Corey Parker rubbishes Maroons disloyalty claims

Corey Parker has rubbished any claims that Billy Slater has been disloyal with his selection for the Queensland State of Origin team.

The Maroons team selection surprised many with the likes of veteran Origin players Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai missing out on the team.

In their place, new blood such as Brisbane’s Reece Walsh and the Dolphin’s Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow coming into the team.

Fox League expert Corey Parker believes the Broncos fullback is more than deserving of his inclusion in the squad over the likes of Ponga.

He told SPORTbible: “There are obviously some players there that have raised some eyebrows or some talking points, number one being the number one [position] in Kalyn Ponga.

“But from what we've seen from Reece Walsh this year, and he was in the squad, the series two years ago before getting ruled out with a hamstring injury, I think he thoroughly deserves his spot. So really happy with the team that Billy's picked.”

Media personalities such as Phil Rothfield claimed that loyalty had been ‘thrown out of the window’ on NRL 360 in the selection process, with the likes of Gagai missing out.

However, the Queensland great hit back at such perceptions.

He said: “Well, there has been a sense of loyalty. [Gagai] has played 22 straight games for Queensland, so that's loyal.

“At what point do you then not be loyal? Particularly when you got somebody like Hammer that is playing outstandingly well for a team off the back of that?

“If you peel back the layers going into last year's series, Dane Gagai was under a fair bit of scrutiny and pressure on his own performances.

“Now what happens? Queensland go into that series and they win, but you still also got to judge everyone's performances on how they went through that series.

“Dane wasn't outstanding. Whilst he didn't let many down, he wasn't outstanding.”

Tabuai-Fidow has been in outstanding early form with the NRL new boys the Dolphins scoring 10 tries in 11 games.

Parker believes it's well worth the winger’s reintroduction into representative footy.

“Queensland win the series last year, they're travelling well this year. I think it's a really good time to be able to bring somebody in like Hammer.

“Now, that's not to suggest that Dane Gagai won't be back in a Maroon's jersey ever again. Absolutely not. But really comfortable with the way that they've gone with the squad, particularly for this first game.”

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