Questions are being asked of Billy Slater’s snub of Broncos back Selwyn Cobbo after the Queensland coach opted to surprise fans and select Robert Toia in the Maroons side. Toia was the biggest surprise selection for both sides, with the Roosters center only 10 games into his NRL career.
Having battled injuries early in his footy career, Toia has stood out for the Roosters to star in the 2025 NRL season. However, even Queensland supporters were surprised to see Toia make his way into the Origin side, which pushed Valentine Holmes to the wing.
Slater’s decision to move Holmes to the wing was an interesting move when Broncos back Cobbo has played with new vigor under Michael Maguire this year. Cobbo started the season on the wing for the Broncos before filling in for Reece Walsh at fullback for the last three games.
Despite injuring his wrist in the last game, Cobbo was free to be selected for State of Origin Game 1. However, Slater opted to shuffle the team and selected debutant Toia to play in the centers. Holmes then shifted to right wing after Murray Taulagi went down injured a couple of days before selection. Xavier Coates occupies the left side for Queensland.
And NRL reporter Danny Weidler has questioned Slater’s decision to leave Cobbo out completely. The Broncos winger didn’t take part in Games 2 and 3 last year, having been omitted from the squad. Cobbo was reportedly carrying a few injuries and was left out, despite the winger making himself available for the Game 3 decider.
Last year’s snub blew up after Weidler went public with the claims that Slater and Cobbo had clashed over their differing views on training and weren’t “seeing eye-to-eye.” Slater rubbished these claims and was unimpressed with the reports.
While Cobbo did hurt his wrist against the Dragons on the weekend, he appears to have been cleared of any injury. And Cobbo’s absence from the Queensland squad for Game 1 at Suncorp has Weidler once again questioning his snub.
“It’s mysterious to say the least…when you look at the fact that they have brought in an absolute rookie, he is going to be a very good player; they brought him in rather than maybe take a chance of seeing whether that scan was OK,” Weidler said of Cobbo’s injury and snub.
“They didn’t even bother selecting Selwyn Cobbo. I stand by that story… I think that Selwyn is note, which tells me something. I know he is fit. I have been told there is not an injury there. I don’t think there’s been a satisfactory or suitable explanation as to what’s going on…it’s worth asking more questions about.”
Billy Slater slams reports over Selwyn Cobbo.
While Weidler isn’t backing down, Slater addressed the story last year. The Queensland coach called out the claims last year in a press conference, having labeled the story as ‘fake news.’
“I actually haven’t seen Selwyn happier; I haven’t seen him more engaged in his football, and he’s had a great week,” the coach told reporters in 2024. “He is ready to play—gone are the days that you’ve got to report the truth. I don’t know where that’s come from, but it’s totally fake news.
“Danny Weidler, I’m not sure; that’s honestly the first I’ve heard of it. I was actually having a conversation yesterday with some of the coaching staff about how well his week has gone, and he is ready to play.
“[My relationship] with Selwyn? It couldn’t be stronger; I can’t be more clear about that. For me to talk about this is totally irrelevant 24 hours before a game. Selwyn and I are fine, and that’s total fake news.
“Honestly, the accountability to report the truth is obviously not there to throw that sort of stuff out. I like plenty about what Selwyn brings to the footy team. He just wasn’t quite right to play in Game 2, and he will be the first to admit that, but he’s good to go now.”
