'Right thing for the team': Captaincy delay highlights enormity of DCE call

Maroons coach Billy Slater insisted that Daly Cherry-Evans was not a "scapegoat" and Tom Dearden deserved the chance to wear the Queensland No.7 jersey in Origin II in Perth on June 18.

Cherry-Evans was replaced by Dearden at halfback, while secondrower Beau Fermor also lost his place to Kurt Capewell – one of four new faces in the 20-man squad, along with Corey Horsburgh, Jack Howarth and Ezra Mam.

Such was the enormity of the decision to axe Cherry-Evans after 26 Origin appearances - including the last 20, of which he has been captain for all but one - that the Maroons delayed announcing a new skipper.

“You won't hear a negative word from me about Daly Cherry-Evans, what he's given this jersey and what he's done for this footy team and this group,” Slater said.

“That'll be with all Queenslanders and with Daly for the rest of his life, and no one can take that away from him.

“But you earn every opportunity to play in this jersey, and we just feel that Tom Dearden has earned the opportunity to play in the No.7 jersey, and we feel it's the right thing for the footy team.”

Slater admitted it was one of the most difficult decisions of his coaching career and revealed details of the phone call to Cherry-Evans, who had led Queensland to series wins in 2020, 2022 and 2023.

“I had a phone call with him yesterday, obviously Daly wanted to play and he was disappointed that he wasn't going to get the opportunity, but he took the news with great character and great respect,” Slater said.

“We had a good conversation. We've got a great relationship. I played alongside Daly, I’ve been the coach and he's been the captain over the last four years.

“We've shared some great memories and he's done some really good things. He's held the trophy up three of the last five years, and he's been an instrumental part of that.

“They're tough conversations, but it was one that was had with a lot of respect.

“It's not an easy job, but when you take this position and you serve the state and you serve the footy team, sometimes you got to make the hard calls. That's what we feel is the correct one, and we're moving forward.”

The 36-year-old, who became the oldest player in Origin history in the May 28 loss at Suncorp Stadium, is the first Queensland captain to be dropped mid-series since Trevor Gillmeister in 1996.

However, Slater said Cherry-Evans had not been made a scapegoat for the 18-6 loss in the Origin opener – Queensland’s third successive defeat by the Blues since Game Two of last year’s series in Melbourne.

“Well, it's not the case. It's just a case of the best person for the position,” he said.

“I'm sure people have their opinion, and … it is what it is at the end of the day, when you're in this position to make decisions, you've got to think for the footy team and what the best thing is for the footy team, and that's what we thought.”

Prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, hooker Harry Grant and five-eighth Cameron Munster are believed to be the main contenders for the captaincy, which will be announced on Tuesday.

Slater indicated that Capewell could start in the second-row after being recalled to the squad following his form for the Warriors, while Mam was likely to be 18th man.

Horsburgh and Howarth are the other newcomers to the 20-man squad, with Jesse Arthars and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki making way.

A trimmed down Horsburgh has been in career best form for Canberra and would add some aggression up front for Queensland, while Howarth is in contention for a centre spot.