Queensland duo Tom Gilbert and Jai Arrow have been ruled out for the remainder of the State of Origin series and debate has raged over the duo’s replacements for Game II.

Dolphins forward Gilbert is likely set to miss the rest of the NRL season after dislocating his shoulder in the Origin series opener in Adelaide.

Meanwhile, Souths star Arrow had surgery on Monday for a syndesmosis injury that will rule him out of action for up to two months.

Queensland legend Gorden Tallis explained Billy Slater has “got options” and floated a list of potential candidates.

He believes Christian Welch, who was named as 19th man for Game I, is a leading candidate to come on to the bench in place of Arrow.

However, he also explained a Titans enforcer is in career best form, having already played four games for Queensland after making his debut in 2020.

“We’ve got options, Christian Welch was 18th man, I think Moeaki Fotuaika for the Titans, he has been playing the best footy that he has played since he was in Origin a couple of years ago,” Tallis said on NRL360 on Monday night.

“You’ve got Corey Horsburgh, Nanai made a statement the other day… there’s some options there, but they are a big loss.

“Billy has got a choice, and he had already said it wasn’t just the way they played, it was the way they were around the group. They were actually leaders in there.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield made a bold statement, claiming if Queensland are “fair dinkum” Corey Horsburgh must made his Origin debut.

The 25-year-old has been one of the Raiders’ best in 2023 and has the ability to play in the middle or on an edge.

“If you are talking form, Canberra have won seven of their last eight games,” Rothfield said.

“The red-headed middle forward or edge forward has been a stand-out and if you guys are fair dinkum, he will make that side.

“Canberra keep winning and winning, with this fellow playing enormous (football).”

The Australian’s Brent Read floated another replacement who could slot in to the backrow in Gilbert’s position and also backed Welch to earn a recall.

He believes Jeremiah Nanai should be named despite struggling for form in 2023 and only returned from a four-game suspension in Round 14.

Nanai played all three games during Queensland’s 2022 series win and was also impressive in the Cowboys’ win over the Storm.

“For me I’d go Nanai and Welch… he has to be there, Nanai came back this week and was a part of the team last year,” Read said.

“He just comes up with tries Jeremiah Nanai, he finds a way to score.”

Arrow and Gilbert join New South Wales duo Nathan Cleary and Cameron Murray in the Origin casualty ward.

Panthers halfback Cleary is almost certainly out of the rest of the series after suffering a grade two hamstring tear that will have him sidelined for up to six weeks.

Arrow’s Rabbitohs teammate Murray (groin) sustained a low grade groin strain against the Titans on Saturday and is racing the clock to play Game 2.

 

It means coaches Brad Fittler and Billy Slater have headaches to solve heading into Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium on June 21.

It’s a three-way race to replace Cleary, with Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes, Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses and Brisbane’s Adam Reynolds all in the running.

Hynes played just 12 minutes off the bench in the series opener and handing him the No. 7 jersey for a must-win match in Brisbane would be a true baptism by fire.

Storm skipper Christian Welch will likely take Gilbert’s spot in the Maroons pack, but several injuries mean NSW are lacking depth in the backrow to replace Murray.

The squads for Game 2 will be announced next Monday following the completion of Round 15.